10+ Ways to Use AutoCAD Object Selection

Picking objects in AutoCAD can be frustrating, especially if you have a complex drawing. You can see (most of) AutoCAD tools options on command line or dynamic input. Like this polyline tool for example. You can see it’s options: arc, halfwidth, length, undo, and width.

But do you see the options for selection tool? Nope. AutoCAD selection tool has options that you can use, but somehow, Autodesk just decided not to show them.

Let’s explore about this tool, from very basic knowledge that you might already know, to the hidden options!

1. Pick Single Object

You can pick single object when AutoCAD ask you to select objects.

2. Window Selection

You can define a window selection by clicking at two points. Click first point on the left side your objects, and 2nd point on the right side. This will select all objects inside the window.

This action will select: (dotted objects are the selection)

If you pick your points right then left, then it will be cross window selection (will be explained next). This two are the default window selection.

If you want to activate window selection, type W then [enter]. Type it when AutoCAD ask you: select objects…

Even you pick points from right then left, it will be window selection.

3. Cross Window Selection

Basically if your window selection defined from right to left, then it will be cross window selection. It will select all objects inside and touching the window.

This action will select:

You can override to activate cross window selection by typing C then [enter].

4. Fence Selection

You can select objects by defining ‘a fence’ that touched objects you wanted. Just type F then [enter] to activate it. After you finish defining your fence, press [enter] to select.

This action will select:

5. Window Polygon Selection

This option behave as window selection, but you can define unlimited points for that window. Just type WP then [enter] to activate it. All objects inside the window will be selected.

This action will select:

6. Crossing Polygon Selection

Similar to cross window selection.  CP

This action will select:

7. Touching Objects Selection

When AutoCAD ask you to select object, type ‘FS then [enter]. We use ‘ for transparent use. Pick your object, then all objects touching it will be selected.

Select objects: ‘FS

Use ‘FSMODE to control chain selection.
FSMODE = OFF
Select touching object: 3 object(s) found.  3 found, 7 total

Select objects:
Exiting Fastsel

FASTSEL is an express tool. So if you don’t have express tools installed, it might not work.

This selection is controlled by FSMODE system variable.

FSMODE = OFF (default), it will select objects touching your picked object only.
FSMODE = ON, it will select objects touching it, and all objects touching them too.

8. Cycle Overlapping Objects

If you have many objects overlapped or close to each other, and you are too lazy to zoom in, you can cycle between those objects by pressing [shift] + [space]. Hold your [shift] key, and press [space] several times until you found your object. Release your keyboard key, then click your mouse.

9. Select Previous Selection or Last Object

Did you ever want to select your previous selection?  Easy, just type P then [enter] when AutoCAD ask you to select objects!

What about last object created? Either objects you’ve drawn or result from modify operations such as copy. Type L then [enter]!

10. Remove/Add Selection

Sometimes it’s easier to select all of your objects then remove some of them from your selection set. You can do this by holding [shift] and select objects you want to exclude. OR, you can type R then [enter] to change selection to remove mode.

To activate add objects to selection, type A then [enter].

Bonus: Undo Selection

Here is a bonus option. You can undo your last object selection by typing U [enter] while your selection still active. This only undoing your last selection.

Have fun with object selection! I will write about quick select and filter some other times.
Any selection tips you want to share?

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