Selection Part 2: Free AutoCAD Tutorial
Master AutoCAD Selection Tools and Techniques Efficiently
This is Part 2 of the AutoCAD Selection tutorial series. Ensure you have completed Part 1 or are familiar with basic AutoCAD navigation before proceeding.
Key Learning Areas
Block Selection Fundamentals
Learn how blocks function as single entities with unique selection properties. Understand the difference between blocks and individual objects in AutoCAD.
Selection Box Techniques
Master both Crossing Selection (green) and Window Selection (blue) methods. Practice creating precise selection boundaries for complex drawings.
Advanced Selection Methods
Explore keyboard shortcuts, Select Similar commands, and bulk selection techniques. Learn to efficiently manage large numbers of objects.
Exercise Preview
Blocks are pre-drawn named objects that behave as single entities. They feature only one grip point, making them significantly easier to select and manipulate compared to complex multi-object drawings.
Selection Methods Comparison
| Feature | Crossing Selection | Window Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Box Color | Green | Blue |
| Cursor Direction | Right to Left | Left to Right |
| Selection Criteria | Touches any part | Completely enclosed |
| Best Use Case | Partial object selection | Precise bounded selection |
Selection in a File
Now let's put these concepts into practice with hands-on selection exercises that demonstrate real-world application scenarios.
Open the file Selection-ElectronicScematic.dwg.
Position your cursor above and to the right of the outer rectangle. Without pressing the mouse button, drag the cursor left to create a green selection box—this is a Crossing Selection. The green color indicates that any object touched by or enclosed within the selection box will be selected. Create a box encompassing the upper half of the diagram and click to establish the opposite corner. Notice how every object intersected by the box, including the outer rectangle polyline, becomes selected. Practice creating multiple Crossing Selections to build your selection set. To refine your selection, hold Shift and create another crossing selection to remove objects from your current selection set. Press Escape to clear all selections and reset.
Now position your cursor above and to the left of the outer rectangle. Drag the cursor right to create a blue selection box—this is a Window Selection. The blue color indicates a more restrictive selection method: only objects completely enclosed within the selection window will be selected. Create a box encompassing the upper half of the diagram and click to establish the opposite corner. Observe that the outer rectangle polyline remains unselected because it's only partially covered by the window selection. This precision makes Window Selection invaluable for complex drawings where selective editing is critical. Press Escape to deselect all objects.
Press E Enter to initiate the Erase command. When the Select Objects prompt appears in the Command Line, use a Window Selection to carefully select only the upper row of symbol blocks, avoiding any connecting lines in the schematic. This demonstrates the precision possible with proper selection techniques—a skill essential for maintaining drawing integrity in professional environments. Press Enter to complete the command and erase the selected objects.
Practice individual selection by clicking to select the Transistor, Capacitor, and Fuse blocks. To modify your selection set, hold the Shift key and click on the Transistor to deselect it—a technique professionals use constantly for precise editing. Press the Delete key to erase the remaining selected blocks. This method offers granular control over your selection sets, essential for detailed design work.
Click to select any Resistor symbol block. Right-click on the selected block and choose Select Similar from the context menu. AutoCAD will intelligently select all Resistor blocks in the drawing—a powerful feature that saves significant time when working with repetitive elements common in electrical schematics and architectural drawings. Press E Enter to start the Erase command. Notice that the blocks delete immediately without additional prompts because AutoCAD recognizes pre-selected objects, streamlining your workflow.
Press Enter to repeat the Erase command. At the Select Objects prompt, press Ctrl+A to select all objects. Notice that grips appear, indicating you've exited the Erase command and entered direct manipulation mode—a common workflow pattern in AutoCAD. Press Escape to deselect everything and reset. Now press E Enter to restart the Erase command. When the Select Objects prompt appears, type ALL and press Enter. This command-line method maintains command context while selecting all objects—the preferred approach for complete clearing operations. Press Enter to complete the Erase command and clear the drawing entirely.
Crossing Selection Technique
Position Cursor
Move cursor above and to the right of the target area without clicking
Create Green Box
Pull cursor left to create a green selection box that encompasses desired objects
Complete Selection
Click to establish the opposite corner - all touched objects will be selected
Window Selection Technique
Position Cursor
Move cursor above and to the left of the target area
Create Blue Box
Pull cursor right to create a blue selection box
Precise Selection
Only objects completely covered by the box will be selected
Essential Selection Commands
Remove specific items from current selection set
Clear all current selections and return to normal state
Automatically select all objects of the same type
Activates grip mode instead of command selection
Selects all objects while maintaining active command
CTRL-A activates grip mode and exits the current command, while typing ALL during a Select Objects prompt keeps you in the active command. Use ALL for command-based selections.
Block-Based Drawings
Key Takeaways