In AutoCAD, changing the selection is an essential part of working with the software. Whether you want to modify objects, apply commands, or perform various operations, understanding how to change the selection will greatly enhance your productivity. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to change the selection in AutoCAD.
Selection Methods
AutoCAD provides several selection methods that allow you to choose specific objects or groups of objects. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used methods:
Select All
If you want to select all objects in your drawing, you can use the Select All command. To do this, simply type “ALL” in the command line and press Enter. This will select all visible and unlocked objects in your drawing.
Select Window
The Select Window method allows you to select objects within a rectangular window area. To use this method, type “W” in the command line and press Enter.
Then, specify two points to define the window area. Any object that intersects or is completely enclosed by the window will be selected.
Select Crossing
The Select Crossing method is similar to Select Window but selects objects that cross or touch the window boundaries. To use this method, type “C” in the command line and press Enter. Again, specify two points to define the crossing window area.
Select Individual Objects
If you want to select individual objects one by one, you can use several methods:
- Pick Selection: Type “P” in the command line and press Enter. Then click on each object you want to select.
- Select Similar: If you want to select objects that have similar properties (e.g., color, layer, or linetype), type “SELECTSIMILAR” in the command line and press Enter.
AutoCAD will prompt you to select a sample object, and then it will automatically select all similar objects in the drawing.
- Select Previous: If you want to reselect the previously selected objects, simply type “P” in the command line and press Enter. This can be useful when you accidentally deselect objects or need to perform additional operations on a selection.
Modifying Selections
Once you have selected objects in AutoCAD, you can modify the selection as needed. Here are some common modification techniques:
Add/Remove Objects
To add or remove objects from an existing selection, you can use the Add Selected and Remove Selected commands. Type “Add Selected” or “Remove Selected” in the command line and press Enter. Then click on the desired objects to add or remove them from the selection.
Invert Selection
The Invert Selection command allows you to reverse your current selection. To use this command, type “Invert Selection” in the command line and press Enter. All previously unselected objects will now be selected, and vice versa.
Filter Selections with Quick Select
The Quick Select tool provides a powerful way to filter selections based on specified criteria. To access this tool, type “QSELECT” in the command line and press Enter.
Then, define the properties you want to filter by, such as color, layer, or object type. AutoCAD will create a new selection set based on your criteria.
Conclusion
Changing the selection in AutoCAD is a fundamental skill that every user should master. By understanding and utilizing different selection methods, you can efficiently navigate through your drawings, select specific objects or groups of objects, and modify selections as needed. Remember to practice these techniques regularly to improve your productivity and efficiency in AutoCAD.