How to Turn Off Highlighting Objects in AutoCAD?

Disabling Object Highlighting in AutoCAD

Turning off the highlighting of objects in AutoCAD can enhance your drawing experience, especially when you find the visual effects distracting. Whether you’re using AutoCAD 2025 or an earlier version, the process is quite straightforward. Below is a detailed guide to help you disable object highlighting effectively.

Steps to Turn Off Highlighting in AutoCAD

1. Access the Options Menu:

   • Open AutoCAD and look for the application menu, often located in the upper-left corner.
   • Click on the application menu, then navigate to the “Options” section. This can also be accessed by typing OPTIONS in the command prompt and pressing Enter.

2. Navigate to the Selection Tab:

   • Within the Options dialog box, find the tab labeled "Selection." This tab contains various settings related to how objects are selected and displayed in your drawing.

3. Adjust Highlighting Settings:

   • In the Selection tab, look for the checkbox that pertains to visual effects or highlight options. There will typically be a section indicating whether selected objects are to be highlighted.
   • Uncheck the box that says "Enable object highlighting" or similar. This action will disable the visual highlighting effect, preventing AutoCAD from displaying selected objects with the default highlighting colors.

4. Disable Command Preview and Object Preview:

   • While still in the Options dialog, check for additional settings related to command and property previews.
   • Uncheck any options that indicate command or object previews. This will further reduce distractions related to highlighted selections during commands.
5. Apply and Save Changes:
   • After making your selections, click the “Apply” button, then “OK” to close the Options dialog. The changes will take effect immediately.

Additional Settings to Consider

• Disabling Selection Cycling:

  • If you find that the selection cycling feature is also creating confusion, this can be turned off by typing SELECTIONCYCLING into the command prompt and setting it to 0. This prevents the selection cycling from displaying when multiple objects are selected closely together.
• Changing Selection Styles:
  • For further customization, right-click in the drawing area, choose “Options,” and explore the settings available under the Selection tab. Here you can adjust how selections are displayed, potentially finding options that suit your workflow better without highlighting issues.

FAQ Section

1. How can I enable highlighting again if I change my mind?
To re-enable highlighting, go back to the Options menu, navigate to the Selection tab, and check the box for enabling object highlighting. Don’t forget to apply the changes.

2. Will turning off highlighting affect printing or plotting?
No, disabling highlighting for selection purposes is only a visual setting within the interface and does not impact how your drawings are printed or plotted. The objects will still appear normally without highlights in printed output.

3. Can I customize the highlighting color instead of turning it off?
Yes, AutoCAD allows users to customize highlighting colors. You can set specific colors in the Options dialog under the Colors tab, which will allow you to keep highlighting with a different color that might be less distracting.