What Is Selection Preview in AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various fields, such as architecture, engineering, and design. It provides a wide range of tools and features to create precise and accurate drawings.
One of these features is the Selection Preview, which helps users select objects efficiently and enhance their productivity. In this article, we will explore what Selection Preview is and how it can benefit your workflow.
Understanding Selection in AutoCAD
Before diving into Selection Preview, let’s first understand how selection works in AutoCAD. When working on a drawing, you often need to select specific objects to modify or manipulate them.
AutoCAD offers different methods for selection, including single object selection, window selection, crossing selection, and more.
The Need for Selection Preview
While selecting objects using various methods is straightforward, it can sometimes become challenging when working with complex drawings that contain overlapping or closely positioned objects. This is where the Selection Preview feature comes into play.
Selection Preview provides a visual indication of the objects you are about to select before making the actual selection. It allows you to preview the potential selection set and ensures that you choose the intended objects accurately.
Enabling Selection Preview
To enable Selection Preview in AutoCAD:
- Step 1: Click on the “Selection” tab located in the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window.
- Step 2: In the “Selection” tab, click on the “Selectionpreview” button.
- Step 3: A pop-up menu will appear with different options for Selection Preview. Choose the desired option, such as “Selection Preview On,” “Selection Cycling,” or “Preview Highlight Off.”
Working with Selection Preview
Once you have enabled Selection Preview, you can start benefiting from its features.
- Hovering Over Objects: When you move your cursor over objects in your drawing, they will be highlighted or previewed based on your selection criteria.
This allows you to visually confirm if the objects are correct before making the selection.
- Smart Selection: AutoCAD’s Selection Preview is smart enough to differentiate between overlapping objects. It helps you select individual objects by highlighting them one at a time when you hover over them.
- Selecting Multiple Objects: If you need to select multiple objects using Selection Preview, simply hold down the Shift key and click on the desired objects. Each selected object will be highlighted as you hover over it.
The Benefits of Selection Preview in AutoCAD
Selection Preview offers several benefits to AutoCAD users:
- Improved Accuracy: By previewing the selection set before confirming, you can avoid selecting unintended or incorrect objects, ensuring accuracy in your drawings.
- Time Savings: With Selection Preview, there is no need to repeatedly undo and redo selections. It saves time by reducing errors and boosting productivity.
- Better Visual Understanding: The visual feedback provided by Selection Preview enhances your understanding of complex drawings and prevents accidental modifications.
In Conclusion
Selection Preview is a valuable feature in AutoCAD that enhances the selection process and improves productivity. Its ability to provide visual feedback ensures accurate selections even in complex drawings.
By enabling and utilizing Selection Preview, you can streamline your workflow and create precise designs with ease.