What is the easiest way to export just the selected objects in Illustrator?

The title says it all, I want to know what the simplest way to export the selected objects. In Inkscape, there is a menu option called export selected which does just this.

The aforementioned option lets you export the selection as a composite image or as a batch of individual images. Both would be nice, but in this scenario I want to export the selected objects as a single image.

I can already create a new document, and paste in the selected items. I am looking for a way that is easier than this.

How can I save / output / export only the objects I currently have selected, to an image file, in Adobe Illustrator CS5?

Answer

You could use slices.

You could set up artboards for each object. Or just adjust the artboard to fit only the object you want to export and then tick the "clip to artboard" option when saving/exporting.

You could hide everything you don't want to export first:

• Select All


• Shift-click the art you want to export


• Choose Object > Hide from the menu


• Export (leaving "clip to artbaord" unchecked) You should only see the art not hidden.



• Choose Object > Show All from the menu.


• Repeat

You can also utilize the hidden "hide other" shortcut. Select the object you want to save/export and then hit Command-Option-Shift-3 (Mac) or Ctrl-Alt-Shift-3 (Win). This will hide everything which is not selected. Save/Export, then hit Command-Option-3 (Mac) or Ctrl-Alt-3 (Win) to show everything again. Select a new objects and repeat.

Or I often find just copying to a new file faster....

• Select the artwork you want to export


• Edit > Copy


• File > New


• Edit > Paste



• Export (leaving "clip to artbaord" unchecked)


• File > Close (don't save - just tap the d key)


• Repeat

Do this often enough and it becomes a very fast processes.