This section describes how to select objects interactively in the 3D and schematic views.
As an alternative, you can also select objects using the explorer (see Selecting in the Explorer) or by name (see Selecting by Name).
The simplest way to select objects is to use the space bar to activate Object Rectangle selection in either supra or sticky mode. But there’s more to it than that, and the sections that follow describe all the details.
Selection modes are preset combinations of a selection filter and a selection tool. They allow you to activate the most common combinations of filters and tools with a single key press.
There is only one selection mode for objects: Object Rectangle combines the Object filter and the Rectangle tool.
To activate Object Rectangle selection mode
Do one of the following:
• Press the space bar.
or
• Click the Object filter button on the Select panel.
or
• Choose Select > Modes > Object.
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Object (Extended) mode is similar to Object mode. The difference is that when you activate Object (Extended) mode, any components you have already selected are not removed from the selection. This lets you select a mixture of objects and components at the same time. Note that you must also press Shift while clicking to add components to the selection. If you do not press Shift, the newly-selected objects replace the old selection. |
The selection filters determine what you can select when using the mouse in the 3D and schematic views. The Object filter lets you select any object. In addition, there are a variety of filters that restrict the selection to specific types of object. These specific filters are useful when you want to select nulls, chain elements, or other control objects in a crowded scene. For information about the different object types available in Softimage, see 3D Objects.
When you activate a different object-type selection filter, it does not change the status of any objects that are already selected: it simply changes what you can select or add to the selection when using a selection tool.
You can also use filters to modify the current selection list as described in Modifying the Selection with Filters.
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There are additional filters on this menu that allow you to select objects with specific properties, for example, objects with annotations. These are examples of custom filters. For information about creating your own filters, see the SDK Guide. |
Selecting Objects Using the Different Interaction Models
When selecting objects in the 3D and schematic views, Softimage can use either of two interaction models:
• The default Softimage selection model uses modifier keys like Shift and Ctrl to extend the selection, toggle, deselect, and so on. In this respect, it is more consistent with other Windows applications.
• The SI|3D selection model uses the different mouse buttons to toggle nodes, branches, and trees just as in SOFTIMAGE|3D. It is intended for people who are familiar with and prefer this style of interaction.
The initial interaction model depends on the choice you made in the Interaction Model dialog box the first time you started Softimage. However, you can change it at any time and your change is remembered the next time you start Softimage.
To set the selection interaction model
• Toggle the SI|3D Selection Model option on the Select menu. When this option is off, the Softimage selection model is used; when this option is on, the SI|3D selection model is used.
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When you toggle this option, Select Single Object in Region on the Select menu is also affected. However, you can also set that option independently—see Single versus Multiple Selection. |
To select objects using the Softimage interaction model
If Select > SI|3D Selection Model is off, use the following mouse and keyboard combinations:
• Use the left mouse button to node-select objects.
• Use the middle mouse button to branch-select objects and their descendants.
• Use the right mouse button to tree-select objects, or branch-select the chain roots of chain elements. However, there are couple of Selection preferences that can affect this behavior.
• Use the Shift key in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to add objects, branches, or trees to the selection.
• Use the Ctrl key in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to toggle the selection of objects, branches, or trees.
• Use the Ctrl+Shift keys in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to deselect objects, branches, or trees.
To select objects using the SI|3D interaction model
If Select > SI|3D Selection Model is on, use the following mouse and keyboard combinations:
• Use the left mouse button to toggle the selection of objects.
• Use the middle mouse button to toggle the selection of branches.
• Use the right mouse button to toggle the selection of trees, or toggle the branch-selection of chain roots of chain elements. However, there are couple of Selection preferences that can affect this behavior.
• Use the Shift key in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to add objects, branches, or trees to the selection.
• Use the Ctrl key in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to toggle the selection of objects, branches, or trees in the case of multiple selection.
• Use the Ctrl+Shift keys in combination with the left, middle, or right mouse buttons to deselect objects, branches, or trees.
Single versus Multiple Selection
If Select > Select Single Object in Region is on, then only one object is selected when you drag the mouse across an area in a 3D view.
If this option is off, then all objects that match the object filter criteria are selected.
This option is automatically toggled when you toggle Select > SI|3D Selection Model, but you can also toggle it independently.
Groups are named sets of objects. You can select groups in the 3D and schematic views using the Group selection button or the = key. Note that the Group button changes to the Cluster button when a component filter is active.
As an alternative, you can also use the Explore button on the Select panel to list all groups in the scene.
Once a group is selected, you can select it members.
To select groups
1. Do one of the following:
- Activate the Group selection button on the Select panel with any selection tool.
or
- Press the = key while performing the next step.
2. Use the mouse to select any member of the group in the 3D or schematic views.
- If an object is a member of a group, the group is selected.
- If an object is a member of multiple groups, all groups are selected. You can use the Selection button to refine the selection further (see Refining the Selection with the Selection Explorer).
- If an object is not a member of any group, the object itself is selected.
- You can use the different mouse buttons and modifier keys to select, add to the selection, toggle, and deselect according to the selection interaction model you are using. See Selecting Objects Using the Different Interaction Models.
- If a hierarchy is a member of a group then you must select the root of the hierarchy rather than a descendant, even if the hierarchy was added to the group as a branch or tree.
To explore all groups in the scene
• Choose Explore > Groups from the Select panel. A pop-up explorer opens showing all groups in the scene.
You can use this pop-up explorer to select one or more groups just as in an explorer window. See Selecting in the Explorer.
To select the members of a group
• With a group selected, choose Select > Select Members/Components. The members of the group are selected as multiple objects.
Autodesk Softimage v.7.5