Working with Groups

For groups of objects that you select on the canvas using the Group command, this topic describes how to add or remove group members, and copy and paste them. Information is also provided on using various commands with groups.

Selecting Group Members

To select a member of a group, specify the required object type in the Object Filter and select it on the canvas. To select the actual group, specify Main Object in the Object Filter.
If a single group is already selected, then clicking a group member selects only the clicked object.
If a group and another object are already selected, then you cannot select any of the individual objects by clicking them.
If multiple members of a group are already selected, then you cannot select an individual member by clicking it.

Using the Ctrl Key

If only a single group is selected:

Ctrl clicking a group member deselects it.
Ctrl clicking an unselected object or group member selects them.
If multiple groups are selected, then Ctrl clicking a group member deselects its parent group.
If a single group and other objects are selected, then Ctrl clicking a group member deselects the group.
If multiple groups are selected, then Ctrl clicking a group member deselects the group.
If part of a group is selected, then Ctrl clicking a member of the group selects the group.

Selecting an Area

If you drag the cursor to select an area of the canvas which contains a member of a group, then the whole group is selected. Any previous selections are not considered.

Selecting an Area Using the Ctrl Key

If you drag the cursor to select an area of the canvas which contains a member of a group, then the selection of the whole group is toggled. For example:

If a group is currently selected, then it is deselected.
If a group is currently deselected, then it is selected.

If only some members of a group are selected, then the remaining members are selected.

Adding Members to a Group

Add a member to an existing group as follows.

Select a previously-specified group on the canvas.
Execute the Ungroup command. The members of the group remain selected.
Press Ctrl and click the object that you want to add to the group.
Execute the Group command. The new member is added to the group.

Removing a Member from a Group

Remove a single member from a group as follows.

Select a previously-specified group on the canvas.
Click a member of the group.
Execute the Ungroup command. The specified member is removed from the group.

Removing Multiple Members from a Group

Remove multiple members from a group as follows.

Select a previously-specified group on the canvas.
Press Ctrl and click the members that you want to remain in the group.
Execute the Ungroup command. All members other than those specified are removed from the group.

Deleting Group Members

When deleting group members using the Delete or Cut command:

If fewer than two members remain in the group, then it is deleted.
A child group is considered one member.

Copying, Cutting and Pasting Group Members

If you copy or cut a whole group, then it is pasted as a group.
If you copy or cut members of a group, then they are pasted as individual objects, rather than members of a group.

Using the Cut Area and Trim Cut Commands with Groups

Consider the following when using the Cut Area or Trim Cut commands.

For an area of the canvas that contains members of a group, if the shape of objects within the area are changed using the Cut Area or Trim Cut command, the group is not affected.
If fewer than two members remain in the group after using either command, then it is deleted.

Using the Create Block from Area command with Groups

Consider the following when using the Create Block from Area command.

If a block area that you create using the Create Block from Area command contains all members of a group, then the group is retained within the block circuit.
If fewer than two members remain in the group, then it is deleted.