Geometry Selection and Select Mode

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Introduction

To select geometry in the Workspace, selection mode must be active. There are a few ways that selection mode is enabled.

CAD (Geometry Creation and Modification)

• Most CAD functions automatically enable selection mode when they are active, or it can be enabled from the Data Entry tab using Re/Select.

This method is used when creating or modifying geometry in the graphics area using the CAD functions. The selection methods explained later in this topic are very important when performing CAD functions.

CAD (Modifying Geometry Attributes, Deleting Geometry, or Copying Geometry)

To enable selection mode manually, do one of the following.

• In the Edit menu, click Select Mode.

• On the Selection toolbar, click the Select Mode icon.

This method is used to modify various attributes of the selected entities, such as changing the color, layer, or line style of entities. This method is required to use Entity Modify. This method is also used to when you want to delete geometry, copy geometry, or select specific entities to use with Entity Summary.

CAM (Machining Features)

• Selection mode is also activated in the CAM Wizards or in the CAM Tree by clicking Select Geometry, Re/Select, etc.

This method is used to assign feature geometry, define boundaries, and set various parameters for CAM features, such as an operation start point or the total depth of a feature.

Selection Methods

Single Selection

For single selection, with selection mode active, you click the entity that you want to select. As you point to the entity, the entity is displayed using the Highlight color to show that it can be selected. The entity types that can be selected are determined by the Selection Mask. Once an entity is selected, it is displayed using the Selection color. You can continue to select single entities one at a time. The selection filters further define how single selection works. This includes only adding or removing entities or both (Add/Remove).

Chain Selection

For chain selection, with selection mode active, you press and hold Shift, and click a chain of connected entities to select the entire chain (curve). This method may be used to modify geometry, assign geometry to CAM features, or to select geometry for some CAD functions. Chain selection can also be used to define a direction for the chain, for example, when certain CAD functions, such as Revolve Surface, are active. For these functions, to define the direction of a chain, you first click near the end of the first entity in the chain (to set the chain start and direction), and then press and hold Shift, and click near the end of the last entity in the chain (to define the end of the chain). You can also press and hold Shift and click near the end of the chain (to eliminate the first step), for example, when selecting an open chain.

Window/Region Selection

For window selection, with selection mode active, you drag the mouse to create a window. This means that you click and hold the left mouse button while moving the pointer to create a window. All entities that are within the window are selected. The entities do not have to be completely contained within the window to be selected. This method can be used to modify geometry, assign geometry to CAM features, or to select geometry for some CAD functions.

Snap Point Selection

Many CAD and Milling features utilize the snap points of an entity. To show the snap points of an entity for these functions, press and hold Shift, and click the entity. You can then select one of the available snap points. Be aware that you do not have to click a snap point directly in order to select it (you don't have to show them first either). For functions that support snap points, the snap point of the entity that is closest to the location that you click is automatically selected.

Confirming Geometry Selections

When selecting geometry for CAD functions or CAM features, you must confirm the selections when you are done. This is the case for any function that supports multiple-entity selection. When single entity selection is performed (for example picking a point to set a depth), the selection does not need to be confirmed. For single-entity selection, the software automatically confirms the selection as soon as you click an entity (or a location) in the Workspace.

To confirm (finalize) geometry selections that you have made, do one of the following:

• Right-click in the Workspace and click OK.

• Press the Spacebar.

• On the Miscellaneous toolbar, click (OK).

Cancel Selection Mode or CAD Functions

To cancel Selection Mode or a CAD function, do one of the following:

• Right-click in the Workspace and click Cancel.

• On the Miscellaneous toolbar, click Cancel.

• Press Esc.

To only clear the current geometry selection without cancelling a function:

• In the Edit menu, click Clear.

Related Topics

To learn about modifying how selection mode works, view the Selection Filters.

To learn about modifying the types of entities that can be selected, view the Selection Mask Dialog Box.

To learn about modifying geometry, view Modify Entity.