What Is the Function of Selection Cycling in AutoCAD?

Selection Cycling is a powerful feature in AutoCAD that allows users to easily select and cycle through objects that are overlapping or close to each other. It helps you select the exact object you need, especially when dealing with complex drawings or dense layouts. In this article, we will explore the function of Selection Cycling and how to use it effectively in AutoCAD.

How does Selection Cycling work?

When you enable Selection Cycling in AutoCAD, it creates a temporary list of all the objects that are overlapping or close to each other. As you hover your cursor over these objects, they are highlighted one by one, showing a preview of what will be selected. This allows you to visually confirm and select the desired object without any confusion.

Enabling Selection Cycling

To enable Selection Cycling, you can either use the “SC” keyboard shortcut or find the “Selection Cycling” option in the status bar at the bottom of the AutoCAD window. When enabled, the Selection Cycling icon will be highlighted.

Note: If you don’t see the “Selection Cycling” option in your status bar, you can add it by right-clicking on any of the existing icons and selecting “Selection Cycling” from the context menu.

Using Selection Cycling

Once enabled, using Selection Cycling is straightforward:

  • Hover: Move your cursor over an area with overlapping objects. As you hover over each object, it will be highlighted momentarily.
  • Select: When the desired object is highlighted, simply click on it to select it.
  • Cycle: If there are more than two overlapping objects at a given location, pressing “Ctrl + W” or the mouse wheel will cycle through the available objects, highlighting them one by one. Release the key or mouse wheel when the desired object is highlighted and click to select it.

With Selection Cycling, you can easily navigate complex drawings and select specific objects without having to zoom in or use selection filters extensively.

Customizing Selection Cycling

AutoCAD allows you to customize the behavior of Selection Cycling according to your preferences. Here’s how:

1. Adjusting the cycling order

You can change the order in which objects are cycled through by going to the “Options” dialog box and selecting the “Selection” tab. Here, you will find a “Selection Cycling” section where you can choose between cycling through All Objects, Visible Objects, or All Selected Objects.

2. Changing the highlight color

The default highlight color for Selection Cycling is blue. However, if you find it difficult to differentiate from other visual elements in your drawing, you can change it by going to the “Display” tab in the “Options” dialog box and selecting “Colors.” Look for the “Selection preview” option and choose a color that suits your preference.

Tips for Using Selection Cycling Efficiently

To make the most out of Selection Cycling, here are some tips:

  • Zoom In: If there are too many overlapping objects in a small area, zooming in will help make selection easier and more precise.
  • Combine with Other Selection Methods: Selection Cycling works seamlessly with other selection methods like Window Selection or Quick Select. You can use them together to refine your selections even further.
  • Cycle Options: Experiment with the different cycling options available in AutoCAD to find the one that works best for your workflow.

With Selection Cycling, AutoCAD provides an efficient and intuitive way to select objects in complex drawings. Whether you are working on architectural plans, mechanical designs, or electrical schematics, this feature will undoubtedly streamline your workflow and improve productivity.

So next time you find yourself struggling to select the right object in a crowded drawing, remember to enable Selection Cycling and let it work its magic!