Dialog box entity selection

CC3’s default selection method uses a right-click context menu. However, you can select entities in a step-by-step procedure which works more like a flow chart. To select it, choose Options > Preferences and disable Select with Right button context menu. This topic describes how to select entities using this procedure.

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When you see this dialog box, CC3 is asking you to choose a method by which you will select entities to apply the current command to. The most commonly selected options are EACH and WINDOW. You cannot select entities on frozen or hidden layers.

Each

Selects enities with the mouse and left button.

The prompt reads "Select entity [RIGHT button ends]:". Use the crosshairs to select a point on an entity you wish to edit. (To select entities that are very close together, zoom in to get a more detailed view). CC3 searches the drawing for all entities that cross or are included in the cursor pick box. CC3 marks the entities found by drawing over them in gray. You can change this color if you want.

The prompt still reads "Select entity [RIGHT button ends]:". Continue selecting entities or right-click to move on to the next step.

Special cases: Pick text entities on their baseline. Pick entities with line width on their center lines. Pick smooth polygons and smooth paths on their frames if showing, or on the curves themselves.

Window

Selects entities in a user-defined window.

The prompt reads "Selection window corner:". Use the crosshairs to select one corner of a rectangular window. Now the prompt reads Opposite corner:". Left-click when the stretching rectangle cursor encloses or crosses each entity you want to edit.

Layer

Selects entities on a particular layer even those outside the current view.

The prompt reads "Layer name [dialog]:". Right-click or press ENTER to display the Select Layer dialog box, or type the name of the layer, if known. You can also use the LIKE modifier to select entities whose layer is the same as a selected entity. Entities in groups cannot be selected by layer.

All

Selects every entity in the drawing, including those outside the current view.

Entities on frozen and hidden layers are not affected, unless they are part of groups that include visible entities. Because groups cannot be restricted by layer, groups are always selected using All.

Type

Selects entities of particular types (e.g. text, arcs, paths) even those outside the current view.

Opens the Select Entity Type dialog box listing the entity types. Use the cursor to select the kind of entity you want to edit. Entities in groups cannot be selected by type.

Paths, Polygons and Curves are all selected under 2D Polygon.

Color

Selects entities of a particular color even those outside the current view.

The prompt reads "Color #:". Select a color from the color bar or type a color number and press ENTER. You can also use the LIKE modifier to pick entities whose color is the same as a selected entity. Entities in groups cannot be selected by color.

Line Style

Selects entities of a particular line style even those outside the current view.

The prompt reads "Line style name [Dialog]:". Type the name of the line style, or right-click and select a style from the dialog box. You can also use the LIKE modifier to pick entities whose line style is the same as a selected entity. Entities in groups cannot be selected by line style.

Fill Style

Selects entities of a particular fill style even those outside the current view.

The prompt reads "Fill style name [Dialog]:". Type the name of the fill style, right-click and select a style from the Fill Style Properties dialog box. You can also use the LIKE modifier to pick entities whose style is the same as a selected entity. Entities in groups cannot be selected by fill style.

Prior

Select the entities used by the last successfully completed drawing, editing, or copying command

This is so you can perform a series of operations on a collection of entities. Previous copy commands do not include the original entity in this selection.

Tag Range and Tag Number

These options are not normally used.

They allow you to select entities by the unique number that is attached to them. You find this number by using the LIST command. There main use is to remove identical identities that are on top of each other (usually caused by a mistaken COPY command).

Related Topics

Selecting entities