Before applying any operation to objects in your drawing, you need to select them. When an object is selected, eight sizing handles appear at the corners and midpoints of an otherwise invisible rectangle, called the selection box.
Selecting more than one object lets you apply the same commands to all of them at once. When you select multiple objects, a single selection box encloses all of the objects.
Selecting by clicking
The quickest way to select a single object is to use the Pick tool to click the object. You can also select multiple objects by holding down
SHIFT as you click the objects you wish to select. You can select all objects by
using the Pick tool or the Edit menu.
Selecting by dragging
Another way of selecting objects is to drag a marquee box around the object or objects you wish to select using the Pick tool. Holding down ALT as you marquee select allows you to select all objects touched by the marquee, even those that are not completely enclosed.
Tip
When you select an object, you indicate that you want your next action to
apply to that object. When you deselect an object, you indicate that you want to
stop manipulating it and move on to another task.
Related topics
Drawing basic shapes