How To Select The Previous Selection In AutoCAD?

Understanding Previous Selections in AutoCAD

Selecting previous objects in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that enhances efficiency while working on designs. This feature allows you to quickly re-select elements in your drawing without the need to redefine them manually. Here’s how to utilize this capability effectively in AutoCAD.

Using the SELECT Command

1. Access the Command Line:
   Begin by opening the command line at the bottom of your AutoCAD workspace. This is where you can input various commands directly.

2. Input the Command:
   Type SELECT followed by entering PREVIOUS. This command allows you to select the last set of objects you interacted with.

3. Assigning a Shortcut for Ease:
   If you are frequently using this feature, consider customizing your workspace:

   • Open the CUI (Customize User Interface) dialog box.
   • Navigate to the Commands list and scroll down to find SELECT PREVIOUS.
   • Drag this command onto a toolbar or panel where it is easily accessible for quick access during your work sessions.
4. Quick Key Access:
   Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts. Simply press the P key and hit Enter. This will have the same effect as the prior steps, allowing rapid access to your last selection.

Changing Selection Settings

Configuring selection settings in AutoCAD can also improve your overall efficiency when selecting objects.

1. Access Options:
   Right-click anywhere within your drawing area and select Options from the context menu.

2. Modify Selection Preferences:
   Within the Options dialog, navigate to the Selection tab. Here, you can adjust various settings:
   • Enable or disable the preview of objects while selecting.
   • Choose whether or not selected objects are highlighted for better visibility.

Selecting Multiple Objects

If you want to enhance your selection capabilities further, utilizing the selection features can be beneficial.

1. Rectangular Selections:
   Click and drag the mouse to create a rectangular selection area. This is useful for selecting multiple objects at once.

2. Lasso Technique:
   For irregular selections, you can employ the lasso method by clicking, dragging, and releasing the mouse. This allows flexibility in choosing specific objects that may not be in a straight line or grid.

3. Accessing All Objects:
   For selecting everything in your drawing, you can use the QSELECT command. Type QSELECT, hit enter, and choose “Entire drawing” from the available options.

Creating and Using Selection Sets

AutoCAD allows you to group objects, which is particularly helpful when you need to act upon multiple elements at once.

1. Forming a Selection Set:
   You can create a selection set by clicking on the desired objects while holding down the Shift key to add or Ctrl to remove items from your selection.

2. Executing Commands on Selection Sets:
   Once your selection set is created, you can apply various commands (like erase or move) directly to all selected objects in a single operation.

FAQ

1. Can I customize the shortcut for selecting previous items in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can customize shortcuts by accessing the CUI dialog, finding the SELECT PREVIOUS command, and assigning it to a preferred toolbar or panel for easy access.

2. How far back can I select previous objects in AutoCAD?
AutoCAD maintains the last selection until new selection commands are executed. However, the capability to recall previous selections does not have a defined limit; it depends on your current work session.

3. Is there a way to visualize what I’m selecting in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can modify the selection settings under the Options menu to enable object previews and highlights, which assist in visualizing selections more effectively while working on your drawings.