Making Selections

Overview

There are several modes that you can use to select objects in 3D. These are: 

The default selection mode is Single Selection Mode. This mode is on by default and cannot be explicitly disabled. 

Single Selection Mode

This is the default selection mode. Objects can be picked in 3D view.

When activating one of the following tools, the default mode is disabled: 

When some tool is deactivated explicitly (by pressing the button or pressing ESC or pressing close in model relocation tools), the default picking mode is automatically activated.

To select single objects

Continuous Single Selection Mode

This allows you to continue selecting objects without needing to hold the SHIFT key.

Clicking a selected object will deselect it.

Area Selection Mode

This tool allows you to click and drag an area of the model to select all objects.

To select all objects entirely within the area

To select all objects partly within the area

Continuous Area Selection Mode

This allows you to continue adding objects to your selection without needing to hold the SHIFT key.

Dragging over an area that is already selected will deselect objects.

Assembly Selection Mode

When Assembly Selection is enabled, selection is applied to highest level assemblies or systems if applicable. When the Assembly Selection Mode is activated, selecting an object automatically selects the assembly that the object belongs to. Note that this only applies if the object belongs to an assembly. Otherwise, the object itself is selected.

Assembly Selection Mode Combinations

Single Assembly Selection Mode enabled.

Area Assembly Selection Mode enabled.

 Continuous Single Assembly Selection Mode enabled.

 Continuous Area Assembly Selection Mode enabled.

To select single assemblies

If there is an assembly present in the model, it will be selected, otherwise the part will be selected.

To select all assemblies in an area

If there is an assembly present in the model, it will be selected, otherwise the part will be selected.

Assembly Selection Mode Improvements

All areas of the application UI that react to object selections now handle the assembly vs. individual object selections in a unified and consistent manner. The change impacts the following UI controls: the assembly selection mode button in the toolbar, application context menu, properties panel, attachment panel, organizer panel and the data table.

How the assembly selection mode works

Assembly selection mode button in the toolbar
When enabled, the next selection is applied to the highest level assemblies. When disabled, the next selection is applied to individual objects. Note that the selection mode also affects the content browser data table in certain cases.

Application context menu
The count of selected objects does not change when the assembly selection mode in the toolbar changes. Instead, it continues to display the count of current selection representing the amount of assemblies or objects currently selected. 

Properties panel
The count of selected objects matches the count in the application context menu. The panel displays properties of currently selected assemblies and objects.

Attachment panel
The attachments can be linked to an assembly or to an individual object depending on the active selection at the time of linking. When selecting an attachment in the panel, the corresponding assembly or individual object becomes selected in 3D. 

Organizer panel
The linking of objects to organizer groups is based on the active selection which can contain assemblies and individual objects. 

Data table
When in “All objects” mode, the content changes depending on the state of the assembly selection mode toolbar button: When enabled, the table shows only properties of the assemblies. When disabled, the table shows properties of individual objects. When in “Selected objects” mode, the table shows properties of currently selected objects which can be both assemblies and individual objects. 

Selecting Rebar

Rebars inside other objects are now selectable if the transparency setting is below 50%.

To select rebar inside objects

Next Topic: Selection Controls