Understanding Multiple Selection in AutoCAD
When working with AutoCAD, the ability to select multiple objects can enhance productivity, but sometimes, it may be necessary to disable this feature. This article focuses on the steps to turn off multiple selections in AutoCAD and understanding how selection methods work.
Steps to Disable Multiple Selection in AutoCAD
Access the Application Menu: Locate the AutoCAD icon (the A) in the top-left corner of the interface. This will open the application menu.
Navigate to Options: In the application menu, scroll down and select the “Options” item. This processes the settings related to your drawing.
Go to the Selection Tab: Once the Options window is open, find the “Selection” tab. This tab contains settings relevant to how you select objects within your drawings.
Modify the Selection Settings: Look for the option labeled “Use Shift to add to selection.” Ensure that this box is unchecked. This action will prevent the Shift key from allowing you to add objects to your selection.
- Apply Changes: After adjusting the settings, click “OK” to close the Options window and apply your changes.
Additional Selection Tips in AutoCAD
Disabling Selection Cycling: If selection cycling is not needed, type
SELECTIONCYCLINGin the command line and press Enter. Then type0to turn off this feature. This eliminates any visual prompts when objects overlap.Utilizing Single-Object Selection: Instead of using Shift for multiple object selection, simply click on each object individually to select them one at a time.
- Creating Selection Windows: Use the rectangular selection method by clicking and dragging a box around the objects, which will select everything within that area, or opt for a lasso method by clicking and dragging in a freeform manner.
Understanding Selection Options
AutoCAD offers several selection options that can enhance how you interact with objects:
Crossing Selection: This method allows you to select any objects that touch the selection boundary, which can be useful in dense drawings. To perform a crossing selection, click in the drawing area and drag the cursor to create a boundary that crosses over the desired objects.
- Control Overlapping Objects: When multiple objects overlap, pressing the Shift+Spacebar allows you to cycle through the overlapping items. This function is useful when you need to select a specific object without turning off the multiple selection feature completely.
FAQ
1. How do I revert to the default selection settings in AutoCAD?
To restore default selection settings, simply check the box for “Use Shift to add to selection” in the Options menu under the Selection tab.
2. What should I do if I cannot select objects at all?
Ensure that the selection cycling option is either enabled or disabled correctly and check if any layers are locked.
3. How can I select multiple objects without holding the Shift key?
You can enable an option in the File – Options menu that allows multiple selections without needing to hold down the Shift key, simplifying the selection process.
