Learn how to use the Modify tool options to select elements in a model.
The Modify tool enables selection. You can create selection sets by picking one element at a time or by drawing a window to select several elements. When elements are selected, a contextual tab of tools displays on the ribbon, and related options display on the Options Bar. Properties of the selected elements are displayed and can be changed on the Properties palette. The Modify tool can also be used to end the active command, for example, if the Wall tool is selected, clicking Modify ends the Wall command and makes the Modify tool active.
| Term/Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Modify | The default active tool. When the cursor displays as a typical mouse pointer (arrow), the Modify tool is active. The Modify tool must be active to select elements in the model. Access the Modify tool from the first tab of the ribbon, by clicking a blank space in the drawing area, or by pressing Esc. You can also use the Modify tool to end the active command. |
| Edge/Face Selection | Choose whether you want to be able to select elements by clicking the face of the element. If the "Select elements by face" option for the Modify tool is not selected, you must place the cursor over an element edge, and click to select the element. The faces of elements are not selectable. For example, a wall cannot be selected by picking the face of the wall. The cursor must be at the top or bottom edge or one of the end edges of the wall for it to be selected.
If the option "Select elements by face" is selected for the Modify tool, move the cursor over the face of an element in the project, and click to select it. |
| Tab Selection | When selecting elements, you can press Tab to cycle through the possible selection candidates near the cursor. (As you click Tab, the status bar updates to indicate the current selection.) If any chains of connected elements are near the cursor, they will be included as candidates, allowing you to select all of the elements in the chain at once. |
| Shift and Ctrl | Hold down the Ctrl key while selecting elements to add to the selection set, and hold down the Shift key while selecting to remove items from the selection set. |
| Window Selection | When the Modify tool is active, click and drag the mouse to window-select elements. Window selection boxes drawn from left to right have solid borders and select elements completely contained in the window. Window selection boxes drawn from right to left have dashed borders, and select elements contained within the window and elements crossing the border of the window. |
This video demonstrates how to use the Modify tool to select elements and sets of elements in a model.
Modify is the default active tool and it is the first tool on every ribbon tab. You can also access the Modify tool by pressing Esc or by clicking a blank spot in the drawing area. When the cursor displays as an arrow, the Modify tool is active, and you can select model elements.
When you place the cursor over an element, the element is highlighted. Because the "Select elements by face" option is not selected, you must place the cursor at the edge of an element to highlight it. After the element is highlighted, click it to select it.
To activate face selection and other selection options, use the drop-down menu on the Modify tool, or the controls on the right side of the Status Bar. To add elements to the selection set, hold down the Ctrl key while you select elements. To remove elements from the selection set, hold down the Shift key while you select elements.
After you select an element, a contextual tab displays on the ribbon giving you access to tools that are related to the selected element. The Properties palette also displays information about the selected element. When selecting elements, you can press Tab to cycle through the possible selection candidates near the cursor. If any chains of connected elements are near the cursor, they will be included as candidates, allowing you to select all of the elements in the chain at once.
Click and drag from right to left to select elements using a crossing window. Click and drag from left to right to select elements using a containing window. Whether you select an element at a time or use a window to select a group of elements, you can make changes to your selection using the Properties palette and the contextual tools on the ribbon.