Component loops and rings let you select several components across a mesh without having to select each component individually.
Edge loops
An edge loop is a path of polygon edges that are connected in sequence by their shared vertices. For example, if you select one horizontal edge on a sphere, an edge loop selection will attempt to select all of the horizontal edges along that same line of latitude on the sphere. See Select an edge loop.

You can select:
- an edge loop that fully traverses a polygonal mesh
- an edge loop that partially traverses a polygonal mesh
- a multi-directional edge loop path on a polygonal mesh
Edge rings
An edge ring is a path of polygon edges that are connected in sequence by their shared faces. For example, if you select one vertical edge on a sphere, a ring selection selects all of the vertical edges along the same line of latitude on the sphere by selecting each successive edge that is adjacent to the selected edge. See Select an edge ring.

You can select:
- an edge ring that fully traverses a polygonal mesh (closed ring)
- an edge ring that partially traverses a polygonal mesh (open ring)
- a multi-directional path of edges on a polygonal mesh
Face loops
A face loop is a path of polygon faces that are connected in sequence by their shared edges. For example, if you select one face on a sphere, a loop selection selects all of the faces along the same line of latitude or longitude on the sphere by selecting each successive face that is adjacent to the selected face. See Select a face loop.

You can select:
- A face loop that fully traverses a polygonal mesh (closed loop)
- A face loop that partially traverses a polygonal mesh (open loop)
Vertex loops
A vertex loop is a path of vertices that are connected in sequence by their shared edges. For example, if you select one vertex on a sphere, a loop selection selects all of the vertices along the same line of latitude or longitude on the sphere by selecting each successive vertex that is adjacent to the selected face. See Select a vertex loop.

You can select:
- A vertex loop that fully traverses a polygonal mesh (closed loop)
- A vertex loop that partially traverses a polygonal mesh (open loop)