Locking Objects

You can also lock objects so they cannot be moved or modified. This prevents people from inadvertently destroying your layout.

Tip

Locking objects is not the same as locking the layers of a document. (See Chapter 11, "Layers," for more information on working with layers.)

To lock the position of an object:

1.	Select the objects you want to lock.
2.	Choose Object > Lock Position. A small padlock appears if you try to move or modify the object . The Padlock cursor indicates that the Lock Position command has been applied. Tip Locked objects can be selected, copied, and pasted, and their colors and contents can be modified.

To unlock objects:

1.	Select the objects you want to unlock.
2.	Choose Object > Unlock Position.

How Safe Are Locked Objects?

I sincerely hope that you lock your front door more securely than the Lock Position command locks objects, although what's bad for your home can be good for your layouts.

The Lock Position command only locks the position of the object. The object can still be selected using either the selection tools or the Select All command.

If there is text within the selected object, the text can be selected and otherwise modified.

If there is a placed image within the selected object, the image can be replaced by choosing a new object with the Place command (see page 194).

If you need more security for your objects for instance, to avoid inadvertently changing the color of an object then you should lock the object's layer (see page 292).