On artboard I can't just click an element to select it?

[arciyuski]

I am using artboard because this allows me to drag object outside on the artboard unlike with the default one. Problem is I am having trouble selecting objects just by clicking it? I have to hold left click drag select every pixel so that I can select it? Is there a workaround?

Thank you :))

[Lee D]

Hi arciyuski,

Welcome to the forums.

 

I take it you're using the Move Tool when selecting an object, have you tried using the Layers Panel to select the object. If it's an object on the Artboard you can expand to see all objects, any objects outside of the Artboard will appear on as individual objects.

 

Also if you start a new document, without an Artboard and click View > VIew Mode, make sure Clip to canvas is unchecked. This will allow you to place objects outside of the canvas and still show.

[Jana B]

On 3/13/2017 at 7:59 PM, Lee D said:

I take it you're using the Move Tool when selecting an object, have you tried using the Layers Panel to select the object. If it's an object on the Artboard you can expand to see all objects, any objects outside of the Artboard will appear on as individual objects.

I'm also having this problem (in Affinity Designer).  When activating the Move Tool, I cannot select an object with my mouse.  I have tried 2 different mice and still have the same problem.  The only way I can select is to use the Layers Panel.  But shouldn't I also be able to select using the Move Tool?  I wonder could there be a view setting that's blocking this???  I'm new to Affinity.

 

... Ah, I've just created a new document, did a scribble ("CURVE") and then I COULD select it with the move tool and my mouse.  That's a relief.  So something must be wrong with the settings on my original document (which is a downloaded worksheet for a tutorial).  Any suggestion of what could be wrong would be appreciated, otherwise I'll just continue to select using the Layers Panel for my tutorial.

Edited May 11, 2021 by Jana B

[R C-R]

4 hours ago, Jana B said:

Any suggestion of what could be wrong would be appreciated

Maybe the layer is locked?

[walt.farrell]

11 hours ago, Jana B said:

Any suggestion of what could be wrong would be appreciated

Possibly you don't have the Edit All Layers icon selected in the Layers Panel (bottom left), and a different Artboard is currently active in your document?

If so, enable Edit All Layers, or select the Artboard before you try to select an object on edit.

[Jana B]

9 hours ago, R C-R said:

Maybe the layer is locked?

Hi @R C-R.  Thanks for that suggestion!  Interestingly, my layer was not locked, but it was a sub-layer of a locked layer.  See snapshot ("My artwork4" layer was not locked).  However, when I unlocked the parent layer, I was able to use the Move Tool to select.  So even though my active layer was not locked, it was affected by the lock on the parent layer.  Interesting, and something for me to be aware of.  I will have to try to research nested layers.snapshot

Edited May 12, 2021 by Jana B

[Jana B]

2 hours ago, walt.farrell said:

Possibly you don't have the Edit All Layers icon selected in the Layers Panel (bottom left), and a different Artboard is currently active in your document?

If so, enable Edit All Layers, or select the Artboard before you try to select an object on edit.

Hi Walt.  I'm not aware that a different Artboard is currently active in my document.  However, enabling "Edit All Layers" solves the problem - it allows me to do the selection using the Move Tool regardless of the parent layer being locked.  So this is the perfect solution!  (Even though I don't understand it ... I'll have to research this topic of current Artboard and the "Edit All Layers" option.)  But in the meantime, my problem is resolved so I am much relieved Many thanks! 

Maybe we have stumbled upon an accidental solution to the problem caused by the parent-layer lock. 

Edited May 12, 2021 by Jana B

[Pšenda]

52 minutes ago, Jana B said:

See snapshot

It is always better to use Forum services for the presentation of images (snapshots), which allows you to insert and display them directly.
Links to any other services may not be welcomed and accepted by other users of the Forum.

[Jana B]

7 hours ago, Pšenda said:

It is always better to use Forum services for the presentation of images (snapshots), which allows you to insert and display them directly.
Links to any other services may not be welcomed and accepted by other users of the Forum.

Thanks for that.  (Just getting familiar).