How to Select Single and Multiple Objects

Selecting objects is a fundamental skill for efficiently editing and manipulating your designs. DRAWings PRO XII offers a comprehensive set of tools and methods for selection, from simple point-and-click to advanced, context-aware commands. This guide covers all the ways you can select objects in your workspace.

1. Toolbar Selection Tools

The main selection tools are located on the toolbar on the left side of the application. Hover over the “Selections” icon to find the Rectangle Selection and Lasso Selection tools.

A. Rectangle Selection Tool

This is the default selection method, ideal for selecting objects in clearly defined areas.

1. Activate the Tool: Click the Rectangle Selection icon from the toolbar.
2. Select a Single Object: Simply click on any object to select it. A highlighted rectangle with transformation controls will appear around it.
3. Select Multiple Objects by Enclosing: Click on an empty area of the design and drag the cursor to form a box. Any object that is completely inside this box when you release the mouse will be selected.

Useful Tip: Selecting Partially Covered Objects

To select objects that are only partially inside your selection box, hold down the Alt key while you click and drag. Any object the rectangle touches will be included in the selection.

B. Lasso Selection Tool

This tool is perfect for selecting objects in tight or irregularly shaped spaces where a rectangle is not suitable.

1. Activate the Tool: Select the Lasso Selection icon from the toolbar.
2. Draw to Select: Click and drag your mouse to draw a free-form shape around the objects you wish to select. Any object completely inside the lasso shape will be selected.
3. The Alt key trick for selecting partially covered objects also works with the Lasso tool.

2. Using Modifier Keys for Multiple Selections

You can fine-tune any selection by using modifier keys. These work with both the Rectangle and Lasso tools.

• To Add or Remove from Selection (Toggle): Hold down the Ctrl key (on Windows) or the Cmd key (on macOS) while clicking on objects. Clicking on an unselected object will add it to the selection. Clicking on an already selected object will remove it.
• To Only Add to Selection: Hold down the Shift key while clicking. This will only add objects to your selection; it will not deselect an object if you click on it again.

3. Context Menu & Hotkey Selections

For design-wide selections, use the following quick commands.

• Select All: Right-click on an empty space in the design area and choose Select all from the menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (macOS).
• Deselect All: Simply click on any empty area of the workspace.
• Invert Selection: Select one or more objects, then right-click on an empty space and choose Invert selection. This will deselect everything you had selected and select everything that was not. The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + I (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + I (macOS).

4. Selecting from the Sequence Manager

The Sequence Manager allows for precise selection based on the stitching order of the design.

1. Select a Single Object: Click on any object’s icon in the Sequence Manager list to select it on the design canvas.
2. Select Multiple Objects (Non-Sequential): Hold the Ctrl key (or Cmd key) and click on the individual icons of the objects you want to select.
3. Select a Range of Objects (Sequential): Click on the first object’s icon in the range you want to select. Then, hold down the Shift key and click on the last object’s icon in the range. All objects in between will be selected.

5. Cycling Through Objects with the TAB Key

This is a fast way to navigate through objects without using the mouse.

• Cycle Forward: Press the Tab key to select objects one by one, following the stitching sequence. If nothing is selected, it will start from the first object.
• Cycle Backward: Press Shift + Tab to move backward through the sequence.

6. Other Selection Methods

DRAWings PRO XII also offers powerful selection tools based on object properties. You can select all objects that share the same color or the same stitch type.

These advanced functions are covered in detail in their own dedicated tutorials.