In AutoCAD, selecting symbols is an essential part of working with drawings. Whether you want to modify, move, or delete a symbol, it’s crucial to know how to select it first. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods of selecting symbols in AutoCAD.
Selecting Symbols by Clicking
The most straightforward way to select a symbol is by clicking on it. To do this, simply move your cursor over the symbol and left-click once. The symbol will be highlighted or surrounded by a selection box, indicating that it has been selected.
Note: If the symbol is too small or located in a congested area of the drawing, you may find it challenging to click on it directly. In such cases, you can use alternative methods described below.
Selecting Symbols using a Window
If you have multiple symbols in close proximity and want to select them all at once, you can use the window selection method. This method allows you to draw a rectangular window around the symbols you want to select.
To use the window selection method:
- Click and hold your left mouse button at one corner of the rectangular area that encompasses the symbols.
- Drag your cursor diagonally across the area until all desired symbols are within the window.
- Release the mouse button to complete the selection.
Note: The window selection method selects all objects within or touching the window boundary. If there are other objects present in the selected area that are not symbols, they will be selected as well.
Selecting Symbols using Crossing or Window Polygon
AutoCAD provides additional methods for selecting symbols based on crossing or polygonal shapes. These methods are useful when you want to select symbols located only partially within or not in a rectangular area.
To use the crossing or window polygon selection methods:
- Click on the “Select” tool from the AutoCAD toolbar or type “SELECT” in the command line and press Enter.
- Choose either “Crossing” or “Window Polygon” from the selection options that appear.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to define the crossing or polygonal shape by clicking points on your drawing.
- Press Enter to complete the selection.
Note: The crossing and window polygon selection methods work similarly to the window selection method, but with different boundary shapes. The crossing method selects objects that cross or touch the boundary, while the window polygon method selects objects entirely within the defined shape.
Selecting Symbols using Filters
Another powerful way to select symbols is by using filters. Filters allow you to specify certain criteria or properties that symbols must meet for selection. This method is especially useful when you have a large number of symbols in your drawing and need to narrow down your selection based on specific attributes.
To use filters for symbol selection:
- Click on the “Select” tool from the AutoCAD toolbar or type “SELECT” in the command line and press Enter.
- Choose “Filter” from the selection options that appear.
- In the filter settings dialog box, specify criteria such as layer, color, linetype, etc., for symbol selection.
- Click OK to apply the filter.
Note: Filters can be saved and reused for future selections, saving you time and effort.
In Conclusion
Selecting symbols in AutoCAD is a fundamental skill that every user should master. By using the various methods discussed in this tutorial, you can efficiently select symbols based on your specific needs.
Remember to practice and experiment with different selection techniques to become proficient in selecting symbols in AutoCAD.