Understanding Selection in MicroStation
Selecting elements in MicroStation is an essential skill for working efficiently in this powerful CAD software. Whether you’re handling individual elements or working with sets of similar objects, knowing how to navigate the selection tools will allow for smooth edits and modifications.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting All Elements
1. **Open the Element Selection Tool**: Begin by locating the Element Selection tool on the toolbar. This tool serves as your primary means of selecting elements within your drawing. Once you have the tool activated, your cursor will change to indicate that you are in selection mode.
2. **Using Window Selection**: To select a large number of elements at once, you can use a rectangle to encompass the desired items. Click at one corner of the area you want to select, then drag your mouse diagonally to the opposite corner, forming a rectangular selection box. All elements within this drawn rectangle will be highlighted.
3. **Utilizing the Menu Command**: Another method to select all elements is through the menu commands. Navigate to the “Edit” menu and choose the option that selects all elements in the current view. This is useful when you need to apply changes universally to every element.
4. **Keyboard Shortcuts**: Often, using keyboard shortcuts can improve your efficiency. Pressing “Ctrl+A” typically selects all elements within a drawing, saving time and effort compared to manual selection methods.
5. **Deselecting Elements**: If you wish to remove elements from your selection, hold down the “Ctrl” key while clicking on the elements you want to deselect. This allows you to refine your selection set without starting over.
Selecting Similar Items
To quickly establish a set of similar elements, first select an object that shares the characteristics you are interested in. After selecting the target element, find and click on the “Select Similar” option in the dropdown menu. This function will create a selection set consisting of all elements that match attributes such as level, cell name, and color.
Quick Selection Techniques
For faster selection, consider using combination keys. By holding the “Ctrl” key, you can click multiple elements one by one to include them in your selection. If an element is already in your selection and you click on it again while holding “Ctrl”, that element will be removed from the selection, providing a quick way to adjust your selection set without having to re-select everything.
Using Levels to Select Elements
To select all elements on a specific level, go to the Level Manager. There, you can click on the level you want to work with. For selecting multiple levels, you can click and drag through the list to choose several at once, or use the “Ctrl” key to select non-contiguous levels by clicking on them individually.
Adjusting Element Selection Settings
To customize your element selection process, access the Preferences dialog within the Workspace menu. Here, locate the section for element selection, where you can turn on or off various options, such as the display of edit handles, which help in manipulating selected elements.
FAQs
**1. What happens if elements are locked while trying to select them?**
Locked elements remain unselectable, so you will need to unlock them through the Level Manager or Element Properties before they can be included in your selection.
**2. Can I revert my selection changes after making them?**
Yes, if you need to undo your last selection changes, you can use the “Undo” command (usually “Ctrl+Z”) to revert to your previous selection state.
**3. How do I enable additional selection tools in MicroStation?**
For enhanced selection options, you can explore the different tools available in the Ribbon interface or Toolbar customization settings. These may offer advanced features such as filtering elements by specific attributes or types.
