The Selection tool

Tool

Tool set

Shortcut

Selection

Basic

Use the Selection tool to select objects, to move and resize objects in any view, and to insert objects in or next to a wall.

In a rendered 3D view, hidden geometry located behind solid objects cannot be directly selected. This makes it easier to select solid objects without the interference of hidden objects. To select hidden geometry, use X-ray Select mode or the clip cube feature (see Viewing a model with the clip cube).

For marquee selection, press the Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows) key while drawing the marquee to select all objects that intersect the marquee.

Mesh objects support an additional Selection tool capability; the tool's marquee modes can be used to select the vertices that lie within the marquee.

A marquee selection can start on and include a locked object. However, if the selected objects are dragged, the locked object does not move with them (see Locking and unlocking objects).

Mode

Description

Disabled Interactive Scaling

Allows an object to be moved without resizing it

Single Object Interactive Scaling

Allows a single 2D object to be resized by dragging one of its handles.

Symbol instances can be resized this way only if the Allow Interactive 2D symbol scaling Vectorworks preference is selected; see Vectorworks preferences: Edit pane.

Page-based symbols can only be resized symmetrically.

To resize an object proportionately, hold the Shift key while dragging a corner handle.

To rotate certain objects (such as rectangles, rounded rectangles, ovals, text objects, bitmaps, and PICT images), press the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) while dragging a handle.

Unrestricted Interactive Scaling

Allows resizing of multiple selected 2D objects by dragging a handle from the selection.

Multiple symbol instances cannot be resized simultaneously.

To resize multiple objects proportionately, hold the Shift key while dragging a corner handle.

Wall Insertion

(Not available with Transform mode)

Allows symbols and plug-in objects that are already on a drawing to be placed into a wall segment. When disabled, symbols can be moved next to or on a wall without becoming part of the wall. See Wall Insertion mode for more information.

Transform

Uses a 3D dragger to reposition objects; see Transforming objects with the 3D dragger

Rectangular Marquee

Creates a marquee box around objects when selecting. Click to set the start point, drag the mouse in the desired direction, and release to set the end point. All objects within the marquee are selected.

Lasso Marquee

Creates a free-form marquee, allowing a more exact selection of irregular shapes. Click to set the start point, drag the mouse in the desired direction, and release to set the end point. All objects within the marquee are selected.

Polygonal Marquee

Creates a marquee with an irregular polygonal shape. Click to set the start point, and then continue clicking to define the shape. Double-click to finish the marquee. All objects within the marquee are selected.

Translate and Rotate

(Transform mode only)

Uses the Translate and Rotate 3D dragger to move and rotate the selected object; see Translating and rotating objects with the 3D dragger

Re-position

(Transform mode only)

Repositions the 3D dragger without affecting the selected object; see Repositioning the 3D dragger.

Because free-form movements are performed relative to the 3D dragger's center, some operations can only be completed if the 3D dragger is repositioned away from a selected object.

Align to Object

(Transform mode only)