Breaking apart groups and objects

The Modify > Break Apart command separates groups, type blocks, instances, bitmaps, and OLE objects into ungrouped editable elements. It significantly reduces the file size of imported graphics.

Breaking apart is not entirely reversible, and affects objects as follows:

	Severs a symbol instance's link to its master symbol.
	Discards all but the current frame in an animated symbol.
	Converts a bitmap to a fill.
	Converts text characters to outlines.
	Severs an OLE object's link to its source application.

The Ungroup command separates grouped elements into discrete components. It does not break apart type, bitmaps, or instances. It returns grouped elements to the same state they were in prior to grouping. It does not convert type to outlines.

Note: Breaking apart animated symbols, or groups within an interpolated animation, is not recommended and might have unpredictable results. Breaking apart complex symbols and large blocks of text can take a long time. You might need to increase the application's memory allocation to properly break apart complex objects.