Click-Drag Selection / Lasso Selection

The traditional methods of entity selection use clicks to specify entities for modification (Click and click method):

• Click on any part of an individual entity you want to select.
• With two consecutive clicks in the graphics area, specify a rectangle:
  • Window selection: Click in the graphics area, move the cursor to the right, then click again. Any entities that fall completely into the area are selected.
  • Crossing selection: Click in the graphics area, move the cursor to the left, then click again. Any entities that lie completely or partially within the selection area will be selected.

Additional methods include entity selection by clicking and dragging the cursor, then release the pick button (Click and drag method):

• Click and Drag Selection. Lets you select entities by specifying a rectangular area (window selection or crossing selection).
• Lasso Selection. Lets you select entities by sketching a lasso around entities.

To adjust the selection methods, see Setting Selection Methods.

Click-Drag Selection

Use the click and drag selection method to specify entities within a rectangular selection area by dragging the cursor.

To use click and drag selection:

1. In the graphics area, click and drag the cursor.

   The preview mode shows a rectangular selection area:

   • Window selection: When you drag the cursor from left to right, only entities that fall completely into the selection area are selected.
   • Crossing selection: When you drag the cursor from right to left, any entities that lie completely or partially within the selection area will be selected.
2. Release the pick button to complete the selection.

Lasso Selection

Use the lasso selection method to specify entities within a lasso contour by dragging the cursor.

The lasso selection method creates an irregularly formed contour. All entities positioned inside and probably intersected by the lasso contour are selected.

To use lasso selection:

1. In the graphics area, click and drag the cursor.

   The preview mode shows the emerging lasso contour. The contour can intersect itself and form loops.

   Press the spacebar by holding down the pick buttion to cycle between three entitiy selection modes:

   • Window. Only entities that fall completely into the selection area are selected
   • Crossing. Any entities that lie completely or partially within the selection area will be selected
   • Fence. All entities that cross the fence are selected.
2. Release the pick button to complete the selection.

Setting Selection Methods

You can control the entity selection method by clicking and dragging:

• Consecutive clicks: In the graphics area, specify a point, then specify the opposite corner for the selection window.
• Click and drag: In the graphics area, specify a point and hold down the left mouse button, then drag and release the mouse button at the other corner of the selection window. You can use Lasso selection as an alternative click and drag method.

To specify the method for selection windows:

1. Do one of the following:

   • Click Tools > Options (or type Options).

     Click Tools > Options (or type Options).

     Click Application menu > Preferences (or type Options).

     In the Options dialog box, click User Preferences .

   • Type UserPreferences.
2. Expand Mouse Options > Options.
3. In Method for selection windows specify the method of using selection windows:
   • Click and click. Specifies the selection window using two points (consecutive clicks).
   • Click and drag. Specifies the selection window by click and drag.
   • Automatic detection. Specifies the selection window using either of the methods above (default).

To specify the Click-Drag and Lasso selection options:

1. Do one of the following:

   • Click Tools > Options (or type Options).

     Click Tools > Options (or type Options).

     Click Application menu > Preferences (or type Options).

     In the Options dialog box, click User Preferences .

   • Type UserPreferences.
2. Expand Drafting Options > Entity Selection > Selection Settings and set:
   • Automatic window/cross selection. Creates a selection window when you specify a point outside an entity.
   • Window/Crossing selection. Enables automatic window and crossing entity selection.

     If the option is cleared, automatic window and crossing selection is disabled. This is rarely required, for example if you want to avoid object selection in presentations.

     • Click and drag on entity. This option is available only if Window/Crossing selection is selected.

       If cleared: When you click and the pointer is not directly located above an entity, the selection is initiated.

       If selected: Enables automatic window and crossing selection even if the pointer is directly over an entity. Applies only when you use the click and drag method to select entities before you run a command.

     • Click and drag for Lasso. This option is available only if Window/Crossing selection is selected.

       If cleared: Disables entity selection with a lasso.

       If selected and Click and drag on entity is cleared: Enables a Lasso selection. If you use the click and drag method and the pointer is not directly located above an entity, the selection is initiated.

       If selected and Click and drag on entity is selected: Enables a Lasso selection even if the pointer is directly over an entity. Applies only when you use the click and drag method to select entities before you run a command.