How to Ungroup an Image in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based graphic design program. Illustrator is popular in the publishing world as a method to create layouts and design custom graphics. Illustrator uses multiple layers and objects to create the final image. When grouped, individual objects in a layer behave as a single image. Learn how to ungroup an image in Adobe Illustrator to manipulate an individual object in the group.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Launch Adobe Illustrator by clicking its software icon in your Start menu or on your desktop (PC), or by selecting it from your Applications folder (Mac).

2. Click "File" in the top menu bar and select "Open." Select an Illustrator file and click "OK" to display it in the Illustrator window.

3. Select a grouped image by clicking anywhere on it. The Illustrator software will highlight the entire image.

4. Right-click anywhere on the image (PC) or press and hold the "CTRL" key on your keyboard while clicking on the image (Mac).

5. Select "Ungroup" from the pop-up menu that appears. The objects are now ungrouped and can be repositioned or manipulated individually.

6. Drag your cursor and select all the individual objects. Repeat Step 5 but select "Group" instead of "Ungroup" to regroup the objects into one image.