The Magic Wand Tool (Y) selects objects based on their content.

It is useful for making selections when you have lots and lots of objects in your document.

Magic Wand Tool (Y) Panel

Double-click on the Magic Wand Tool (Y) in the Tools Panel to open up the Magic Wand Panel (see below):

The Magic Wand Tool (Y) can select for Fill Color, Stroke Color, Stroke Weight, Opacity and Blending Mode.

Check any of the boxes for what you want the Magic Wand Tool (Y) to search for – e.g. the box for Fill Color (see above) is checked and that means that you are selecting for the color that is filling the object you've clicked on.

Tolerance

Tolerance is how many levels you want to be activated based on what you’ve clicked:
• the higher the tolerance number – the more leeway you’re allowing (e.g. Based on the initial clicked color, 'some' to 'many' other similar colors will also be selected.)
• the lower the number – the less leeway you’re allowing (e.g. Based on the initial clicked color, only colors much closer in shade or the exact same color will also be selected.)

On the Magic Wand Panel – click on the Flyout Menu to choose more options (see below):

Stroke Weight Tolerance – dialog box (see below):

Stroke Weight Tolerance is the amount of thickness in Stroke Weight you will allow the Magic Wand to automatically select for you.

e.g. If you set a Stroke Weight Tolerance of 1 – and then use the Magic Wand to click on a 1 point stroke – the Stroke Weight Tolerance will allow anything from zero (0) to two (2) points to then also be automatically selected. Get it? The Magic Wand includes up to 1 point up or down from what you clicked on because that's what you'll 'tolerate'.

Opacity Tolerance – dialog box (see below):

Opacity Tolerance is the amount of spread in Opacity levels you will allow the Magic Wand to automatically select for you.

e.g. If you set an Opacity Tolerance of 5 – and then use the Magic Wand to click something that has a 50% opacity level – the Opacity Tolerance will allow anything from a 45% to a 55% opacity level to also be automatically selected. Get it? The Magic Wand includes opacities up to 5% above or below because that's what you'll 'tolerate'.

Any questions?

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