How to Get Rid of Selection Box in AutoCAD?

Understanding the Selection Box in AutoCAD

The selection box in AutoCAD can be a helpful feature, but sometimes it may hinder your workflow or become distracting. Learning how to manage it effectively is crucial for a smooth design experience.

Disabling the Selection Box

To remove or disable the selection box in AutoCAD, you can follow these steps:

1. Access the Options Menu:

   • Right-click anywhere in the drawing area.
   • From the context menu, select Options.

2. Navigate to the Selection Tab:

   • In the Options dialog, click on the Selection tab.
   • This section allows you to customize various settings related to object selection.
3. Adjust Selection Settings:
   • Look for options that pertain to the selection behavior. You can toggle settings to change how objects are highlighted and previewed during selection.
   • Uncheck any options that may activate an unwanted selection box feature.

Turning Off Lasso Selection

If you find the lasso tool intrusive, you can easily turn it off:

1. Open the Options Dialog:

   • Type OP or OPTIONS in the command line, then press Enter.
2. Modify Lasso Tool Settings:
   • In the Options dialog, locate the Selection tab.
   • Uncheck the lasso feature that allows for freeform selections.

Fixing Dialog Box Issues

If a dialog box in AutoCAD becomes unresponsive or misaligned, resetting it can help:

1. Restore the Dialog Box:

   • Press Alt + Spacebar to bring up the window menu.
   • Select Move from the dropdown and hit Enter.
2. Repositioning:
   • Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to shift the dialog box back into view.

Selection Cycling and Multiple Selections

Managing selection cycling can streamline your workflow:

1. Disabling Selection Cycling:

   • Enter SELECTIONCYCLING at the command prompt.
   • Input 0 to turn off this feature.
2. Adjusting Multiple Line Selection:
   • For selecting multiple lines without hassle, navigate back to the Options menu.
   • On the Selection tab, confirm that the option for “Use Shift to add to selection” is unchecked if you want to avoid holding the Shift key.

Changing Cursor and Selection Box Size

To ensure your selection is visible yet not obstructive:

1. Access Options:

   • Right-click in the drawing area and select Options again.
2. Modify Size Settings:
   • Under the Selection tab, adjust the Pickbox Size with the slider.
   • Switch to the Display tab to modify the Crosshair Size if needed.

FAQ

Q1: How do I re-enable the selection box if I’ve turned it off?

To re-enable the selection box, go back to the Options dialog, navigate to the Selection tab, and check any relevant settings that allow for object previews during selection.

Q2: Why can’t I select certain objects in AutoCAD?

This could happen for several reasons: the objects may be within a non-active viewport, the layer might be locked, or you might be in a specific edit mode that restricts selection.

Q3: Can I customize the behavior of my selection box for different projects?

Yes, by saving different profiles in the Options menu, you can tailor the selection settings according to the specific needs of each project, ensuring efficiency and ease of use.