Problem selecting inside a blend

[Sal Santos]

Seems I reached too far trying to select an object inside a blend. As I understand it now, to manipulate the blend...first convert the blend to editable shapes...Ungroup...select, say, the middle shape from inside the blend...delete all other shapes except the end shapes (you now have three shapes)...move the middle shape to the position where you want the upcoming new blend to go...change color, size of the 'middle' shape...make a copy (CTL+K)...move the copy slightly away (you now have four shapes; two end shapes and two middle shapes). Now make two blends, each one going from one end to a middle shape. Then make each blend follow a curve to create your design. The beauty lies in making Xtreme come up with a middle shape that a designer can twist and change color yet makes a nice transition from each end shape. Thanks, guys.

[handrawn]

l

[Egg Bramhill]

Almost Sal but this bit

..... the middle shape and make a copy. Move the copy slightly away (we now have four shapes). Create two blends and make them follow, say, two curves that seem like one long curve.

isn't required. Just blend from the left shape to the altered middle shape to the right shape e.g. just blend between the 3 shapes. You only need to blend along one curve as well using this method.

[Sal Santos]

Excellent tip, Egg. Good work. I placed various blends next to each other, selected all of them, and meshed them into a single curve. It worked. This could perhaps be something to use in an animation. Create one long blend... convert to shapes... ungroup... modify some shapes in the middle (size, color, rotation, skew, etc.)... delete unmodified shapes except the end shapes. Create various mini-blends in steps. Select all mini-blends and mesh them into a single loop, curve, spiral, sine wave, etc. Now convert the single blend into shapes and ungroup. Each shape could be placed into sequential animation frames. A fluttering cupid's heart could become an e-mailed valentine gift. A cartoon character that just ate too much hot salsa could have its face grow bigger and smaller while its color changed from pink to red -> rainbow...