Selecting Objects

Autodesk

20 Jan 201101:35

Summary

TLDRThis video discusses selection techniques in AutoCAD, focusing on noun-verb selection, where objects are selected before executing a command. It explains the pick box feature, which selects objects within its area, and how its size can be adjusted in the options menu. The video also covers various selection modes, such as window and crossing window, and how to deselect objects by holding the shift key. Additionally, it highlights other selection methods available by typing a question mark at the command prompt, including fence, polygon, and crossing polygon.

Takeaways

🔍 When selecting objects in AutoCAD, a selection set is created.
🖱️ Noun-verb selection refers to selecting the object first and then the command.
📏 Typically, the command is selected first, then the object.
🔲 The pick box is displayed when starting a command, used for selecting objects.
⚙️ The pick box size can be adjusted in the options menu under the selection tab.
🖼️ Using a window, only objects fully within the window are selected.
🚪 A crossing window selects any object that crosses through it.
🔄 To remove an object from the selection set, hold down the Shift key and select the object.
❓ Typing a question mark at the command prompt shows additional selection methods.
🛠️ Other selection methods include crossing, fence, window polygon, and crossing polygon.

Q & A

What is a selection set in AutoCAD?
-A selection set in AutoCAD is a group of objects that you select to modify or manipulate. It is created whenever you select objects in the workspace.
What is noun-verb selection in AutoCAD?
-Noun-verb selection in AutoCAD refers to selecting an object first (noun) and then applying a command (verb) to it. This is an alternative to the traditional method where you select the command first and then the object.
What happens when you start a command in AutoCAD?
-When you start a command in AutoCAD, the pick box is displayed. The pick box is a small square that appears next to the 'Select objects' prompt, allowing you to select objects within its boundary.
How can you change the size of the pick box in AutoCAD?
-You can change the size of the pick box by going to the 'Options' menu, then navigating to the 'Selection' tab, where the pick box size can be adjusted.
What are the different selection modes in AutoCAD?
-AutoCAD offers several selection modes, including window, crossing window, fence, polygon, and crossing polygon. These modes can be toggled on or off depending on your selection needs.
How does a window selection differ from a crossing window selection in AutoCAD?
-In a window selection, only objects completely within the window are selected. In a crossing window selection, any object that crosses through the window is selected.
How can you remove an object from a selection set in AutoCAD?
-To remove an object from the selection set in AutoCAD, hold down the Shift key and select the object you want to remove.
What is the purpose of the 'Select objects' prompt in AutoCAD?
-The 'Select objects' prompt appears during commands to allow you to choose which objects you want to manipulate. You select objects using the pick box at this stage.
How can you access the full range of selection methods in AutoCAD?
-To view the full range of selection methods in AutoCAD, you can type a question mark (?) at the command prompt. This will display options such as crossing, fence, window, polygon, and crossing polygon.
What is the most common way to select objects in AutoCAD?
-Using a window selection is one of the most common ways to select objects in AutoCAD. Objects completely within the window will be selected.

Outlines

00:00

🖱️ Selecting Objects in AutoCAD: Noun-Verb Method

In AutoCAD, when you select objects, a selection set is created. The process of selecting an object first and then issuing a command is called 'noun-verb selection.' This method differs from the typical approach, where you would select the command first, followed by the object. When you start a command, a pick box, a small square, appears next to the 'select objects' prompt, allowing you to choose items within it. The size of the pick box can be adjusted in the options menu, under the selection tab. Various selection modes can also be toggled on or off.

📐 Using Windows and Crossings for Object Selection

A common method to select objects in AutoCAD is using a window. Objects entirely within the window are selected, whereas a crossing window allows for selecting objects that cross through the window. To deselect an object, hold down the shift key and select the object again. Besides these methods, there are other selection techniques available. By typing a question mark at the command prompt, you can view the full range of selection methods, such as crossing, fence, window polygon, and crossing polygon.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Selection Set

A 'Selection Set' in AutoCAD refers to the group of objects that are selected for editing or manipulation. In the video, it is mentioned that when objects are selected, they form a selection set. This is crucial for performing tasks such as moving, copying, or modifying multiple objects at once.

💡Noun-Verb Selection

'Noun-Verb Selection' is a method in AutoCAD where users first select the object (noun) and then issue the command (verb). This selection method allows for more intuitive editing workflows, as opposed to the traditional method of choosing the command first and then selecting objects.

💡Pick Box

The 'Pick Box' is a small square that appears next to the 'Select objects' prompt in AutoCAD when a command is active. It defines the area where clicks register as object selections. The video explains that any object within the pick box is selected when clicked, and the size of the pick box can be adjusted in the settings.

💡Selection Tab

The 'Selection Tab' is part of the AutoCAD Options menu where users can modify various selection settings, such as the size of the pick box. This allows users to customize how they interact with objects during the selection process, making workflows more efficient.

💡Window Selection

'Window Selection' is a technique in AutoCAD where a user draws a box around objects to select them. Only objects completely inside the window are selected. This method is commonly used for precise selection of objects without accidentally selecting nearby elements.

💡Crossing Window

The 'Crossing Window' method allows users to select objects by drawing a window that includes any part of the object. Unlike window selection, objects do not need to be fully enclosed within the window. This method is useful for quickly selecting multiple objects with partial overlap.

💡Shift Key

The 'Shift Key' is used in AutoCAD to remove objects from a selection set. By holding down the Shift key and clicking on an object, the user can deselect it. This provides flexibility when refining the selection of objects during editing.

💡Selection Modes

'Selection Modes' refer to the various methods available in AutoCAD for selecting objects, such as crossing, fence, and window. The video explains that these can be accessed by typing a question mark at the command prompt, giving users options to select objects in different ways depending on their needs.

💡Fence Selection

'Fence Selection' is a method where a series of straight lines are drawn, and any objects intersected by these lines are selected. This is particularly useful in complex drawings where window or crossing selection might be impractical.

💡Command Prompt

The 'Command Prompt' in AutoCAD is where users can type commands to execute specific functions. In the video, it is mentioned that typing a question mark here reveals all available selection methods, making it a powerful tool for accessing different functionalities quickly.

Highlights

Selecting the object first and then the command is known as noun-verb selection.

Typically, in AutoCAD, you would select the command first, and then the object.

When you start a command, the pick box is displayed for object selection.

The pick box is a small square beside the 'Select Objects' prompt.

The size of the pick box can be adjusted through the options menu under the Selection tab.

Right-clicking brings up the options menu where pick box size can be altered.

There are various selection modes in AutoCAD that can be toggled on or off.

Using a window selection method selects anything completely within the window.

Using a crossing window method selects anything that crosses through the window.

To remove an object from the selection set, hold down the Shift key and select the object.

AutoCAD provides a range of selection methods, including crossing, fence, window, polygon, and crossing polygon.

The crossing selection method selects objects that intersect with the selection window.

You can view the full range of selection methods by typing the question mark at the command prompt.

Selection modes in AutoCAD can help optimize how users select objects in complex drawings.

Selection flexibility in AutoCAD enhances productivity by offering multiple ways to refine object selection.