# Object Explorer

How do I open the Object Explorer?

When you open a project, the Object Explorer is shown on the right in the main window. You can hide it, and change its size and position. If it is not shown, open it using one of the following methods:

- On the Graphics toolbar, click .
- From the View menu, select Object Explorer.
- Right-click an object and select Object Explorer.

Object Explorer provides a tree-list naming all the objects on the graphic display and allows you to select, hide, and highlight objects from the list. Groups are listed as expandable items in the tree, with a + icon.

You can use the Object Explorer to:

- Select an object that is hidden behind other objects on the graphic display, without bringing the object to the front. Objects are listed in front-to-back order. The object you created most recently is at the front, unless you move it back using the Send to Back option.
- Show or hide an object on the graphic display by selecting or clearing the check box in front of the object in the Object Explorer.
- Highlight objects by object type, highlight objects that have animation attached, and to highlight objects with specific tag or expression assignments.

The Object Explorer does not show wallpaper objects or objects within ActiveX composite objects.

Tip: | When you right-click the root node, Display in the Object Explorer, a context menu shows. The menu is the same menu that you would see if you right-click on the graphic display. When you right-click a graphic object or group in the Object Explorer, the context menu for that object or group shows. The menu is the same menu that you would see if you right-click the object or group on the graphic display, except that the Object Explorer menu item does not show. When you double-click most graphic objects in the Object Explorer, including drawing objects, the object's Properties dialog box opens. For ActiveX objects, the behavior of the object when double-clicked depends on the vendor's implementation.

## See also

Select a graphic object on a graphic display

Select a graphic object within a group

Select a graphic object that is behind another object

Show or hide a graphic object on a graphic display