Selecting objects with clipped-in contents

[Prendog]

I'm a relatively new Illustrator user, so I appologize up front.

Here's the situation: I have two 1" squares sitting side by side. Clipped into each square is an image that's 4" wide. When I try to select the left-hand square, the clipped content of the right-hand square is selected. I can move that square to the background, but then I have the same trouble if I try to select the right-hand square.

Is there a way to tell Illustrator to ignore the bounding boxes of images that are clipped into other paths?

Thanks in advance!

[The Repro Kid]

Sounds like you have have two boxes that have been combined into a compound shape, and then used to mask one picture.

Suggested reading from the help menu:
1) Masking images, releasing masked images.
2) Compound shapes; making, releasing.

How many linked images does your links palette show? One or two?

If you show two links, suggested reading also includes:
1) Grouped objects, grouping objects, releasing grouped objects.

Actually, read up on all the above and then add:
(in fact you might want to read up on this first)
1) Selecting objects, selection tools; select tool, direct selection tool, group selection tool.

Being new to Illustrator means it's difficult to look up things in help menu without knowing what terms to be looking under. My terminology above should help your search. I'm not sure what you are describing but if you read up on all these subjects in the help menu you may be able to figure out everything for yourself.

Also your questions will become easier to answer after you've looked into these topics.

All these topics listed are Illustrator basics -- Except for "compound masking" I mentioned in my first sentence. You may be able to figure out how this is created after you've read up on all the pieces of the puzzle.

[Srik]

Hi Prendog,

With this situation, the best idea would be using shortcuts. Lock the right hand bounding box and image and play with left and vice versa. Or you might hide the right hand image also. Command+2 locks the items you have selected. Command+Option+2 releases the locked items. Command+3 to hide and Command+Option+3 to relase hidden items. Hope this helps you handle your task quickly!