How to Select Whole Drawing in AutoCAD?

Selecting the Entire Drawing in AutoCAD

When working in AutoCAD, efficiently selecting your drawing is crucial for editing and manipulation. Whether you need to choose everything or specific parts, knowing how to navigate the selection tools can greatly enhance your workflow. This guide outlines the steps to select an entire drawing in AutoCAD 2025 and provides alternative selection methods.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Select All with Ctrl+A:

   • Simply hold down the Ctrl key and press A. This universal shortcut selects every object in the current drawing, allowing you to quickly manipulate or edit the entire layout.

2. Select with the Command Line:

   • Type QSELECT into the command line and hit Enter.
   • In the dialogue that appears, choose “Entire Drawing” from the “Apply to” dropdown menu. This method offers a structured approach to selecting.

Selecting Drawings in Model Space and Paper Space

• Active Viewports:
  Ensure that you are working in the correct space. If your objects are within a viewport in the layout, make sure it is the active pane. Click within the viewport to activate it prior to selection.

• Unlock Layers:
  If certain objects cannot be selected, verify that their layers are not locked. Unlocking layers allows you to select and manipulate all objects accordingly.

Alternative Selection Methods

1. Rectangle Selection:

   • Click at one corner of the area you wish to select.
   • Drag the cursor diagonally to the opposite corner and release. This creates a rectangular selection box, selecting all objects within it.

2. Lasso Selection:

   • Click and hold the mouse button, then drag around the objects to select them. Release the button to finalize your selection. This method can be useful for irregularly shaped clusters of items.

3. Select Similar:

   • If you have multiple objects of the same type, you can select one and use the Select Similar tool by right-clicking. This quickly selects all objects with similar properties.

Dealing with Selection Issues

• Why Objects Can’t Be Selected:
  • If you find you cannot select an object, it may be due to a few reasons:
    • The object is in a locked layer.
    • You are in edit mode for an attached reference.
    • You may be trying to select something outside the currently active viewport.

Saving Your Selection

Once you have selected your desired objects, consider saving your work:

• Using Save As:

  • Go to the File menu and select Save As. Specify your file name and format to ensure your changes are stored.

• Using Ctrl+S:

  • Press Ctrl + S to quickly save your current drawing state without navigating through menus.

FAQ

1. Can I select objects across multiple layers simultaneously?
Yes, using the QSELECT command allows you to choose objects regardless of their layers. You can also select multiple object types under the properties menu in the quick select dialog.

2. What do I do if objects are not selectable even when layers are unlocked?
Ensure that you are not in a locked viewport or that you have not entered an altered state that limits selection. Switching to Model Space may help if you are currently in Paper Space.

3. Is there a way to filter selections by specific properties?
Yes, you can use the QSELECT command to filter by type, properties, or both. This feature is helpful for selecting specific objects based on characteristics like color, layer, or line type.