Adobe Illustrator Essentials Guide: Placing an Image/Locking Objects

When you have an image saved to your computer select “File” – “Place...” 

• From here a dialog box will pop up so you can browse your computer to select an image. 

• Once you place the image on or next to the artboard you can move and resize the image by activating the Selection Tool (V)  in the Tools Panel. Shift-drag a corner to resize the image without distorting the proportions. When finished, release the mouse button and then the Shift key.

• Click the Crop Image button in the Properties panel on the right side of the document to crop parts of an image

• Drag any handle around the image to remove an unwanted portion. Click Apply in the Properties panel

• HINT: Make sure to always save the photo until you are finished with the document. If you move the file to a new folder you will need to “replace” the image. AKA find it and place it again.
• If you would like to use the images as a reference you can lock them in the background by activating the object with the Selection Tool (V) and going to “Object” – “Lock” – “Lock Selection”. This will make it so you cannot edit the locked selection unless you unlock it.

• To unlock something go to “Object” – “Unlock All”