Entity Selection¶
VektorCAD provides multiple ways to select entities (lines, arcs, circles, polylines, text, dimensions, blocks, etc.). You can build selection sets before starting a command (pre-selection) or when the command prompts for objects (post-selection).
Selection basics
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-selection | Select entities first, then start a command (e.g., Move) |
| Post-selection | Start a command first, then pick entities at the prompt |
| Clear | Esc clears selection; press again to cancel the command |
Mouse Selection¶
Single Pick¶
- Click an entity to add it to the selection set
- Shift+click to remove an entity from the set (toggle)
Window vs Crossing¶
| Method | Drag direction | Selects |
|---|---|---|
| Window | Left to Right | Only entities entirely inside the rectangle |
| Crossing | Right to Left | Entities inside or touching the rectangle border |
Tip
The frame style (solid vs dashed) indicates whether you are creating a Window or Crossing selection.
Lasso (Freehand)¶
Press and hold the left button and drag to draw a freehand shape:
- Left-to-Right drag = Window (fully enclosed only)
- Right-to-Left drag = Crossing (inside or touching)
Fence¶
Draw a polyline path -- any entity intersecting the fence line is selected. Best for selecting entities along a route without enclosing large areas.
Selection Cycling (Overlaps)¶
When multiple entities overlap at the cursor:
- Hover briefly -- VektorCAD detects overlapping candidates
- Press Tab to cycle through them
- Click when the desired entity highlights
Tip
Zooming in also helps separate close geometry for easier picking.
Add / Remove / Invert¶
| Action | Input |
|---|---|
| Add | Click |
| Remove | Shift+click |
| Toggle | Ctrl+click (if enabled) |
| Invert | Right-click > Invert Selection |
| Clear | Right-click > Clear Selection or Esc |
Non-Selectable Items¶
- Entities on locked or hidden layers cannot be selected
- Frozen entities in the current view are not selectable
- Check layer visibility in the Format Panel if you cannot pick an entity
Keyboard Selection¶
During the "Select entities" prompt, type these shortcuts and press Enter:
| Shortcut | Name | Action |
|---|---|---|
ALL |
All | Select every visible, selectable entity |
L |
Last | Select the most recently created entity |
P |
Previous | Re-select the previous selection set |
W |
Window | Pick two corners -- selects entities fully inside |
C |
Crossing | Pick two corners -- selects inside or touching |
WP |
Window Polygon | Pick polygon vertices, Enter to finish |
CP |
Crossing Polygon | Polygon that selects inside or touching |
F |
Fence | Pick fence vertices, Enter to finish |
Precision selection
Mix keyboard shortcuts with typed coordinates: e.g., type W then enter 0,0 and 100,50 to define an exact rectangular window. See Point Input for coordinate syntax.
Selection Filters¶
Select Similar¶
Right-click on a selected entity and choose Select Similar to add all entities with matching properties:
- Same entity type (e.g., all circles, all dimensions)
- Same layer
- Same color or line type
- Same block name
Selection Filter (Property Query)¶
Build advanced filter rules to narrow down selections:
| Example rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| Type = Polyline AND Layer = Walls | Select only polylines on the Walls layer |
| Type = Circle AND Radius >= 10 | Select circles with radius 10 or larger |
| Color = ByLayer AND Closed = True | Select closed entities using layer color |
- Save named filters for reuse across sessions
- Apply filters before or during entity selection
Grips and Preview¶
Selected entities display grips (small squares at key points):
| Grip type | Action |
|---|---|
| Corner / Endpoint | Move or stretch the point |
| Midpoint | Stretch the segment |
| Center | Move the entity |
| Radius | Resize circles and arcs |
- Click and drag a grip to perform quick edits without starting a command
- Many commands show a rubber-band preview while you pick points, distances, and angles
Context Menu (While Selecting)¶
Right-click during selection:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Select Similar | Add matching entities to selection |
| Selection Filter | Open property-based filter dialog |
| Invert Selection | Select everything except current picks |
| Clear Selection | Deselect all |
| Isolate Layer | Hide all layers except the selected entity's layer |
| Lock/Unlock Layer | Toggle lock on the entity's layer |
| Properties | Open properties panel for the selection |
Quick Reference¶
| Goal | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Select specific objects | Click each; Shift+click to deselect | Tab to cycle if overlapping |
| Select area (fully inside) | Window: drag Left-to-Right or type W |
Excludes partially crossing entities |
| Select area (inside or touching) | Crossing: drag Right-to-Left or type C |
Faster for dense selections |
| Select along a path | Type F then pick fence vertices |
Anything touching the fence is selected |
| Repeat prior selection | Type P (Previous) |
Handy for iterative edits |
| Select last created entity | Type L (Last) |
Newly drawn items |
| Select by properties | Select Similar or Selection Filter | Match type, layer, or other properties |
| Select everything | Type ALL |
All visible, unlocked entities |
Build selections in passes
Use Crossing to get most entities, Shift+click to remove extras, then Select Similar to sweep the rest.
Cannot select something?
Check if the entity's layer is locked or hidden, or if it is part of a protected block. Verify layer state in the Format Panel.
See also: Point Input | Distance Input | Angle Input