Element Selection

Use it!

Used to select an element(s) for modification or manipulation.

While the Element Selection tool is selected, the pointer becomes an arrowhead with an aperture encircling the tip. The aperture denotes the design plane area in which MicroStation searches for elements. The aperture size or Locate Tolerance is a user preference that is adjustable in the Preferences dialog box (Input category).

For more information on setting the aperture size or Tolerance seeInput.

If the desired element is visible in the aperture but you cannot select it, check the following:

• To select a shape, the pointer must be close to one of the enclosing lines. To select a circle or an ellipse, the pointer must be close to the circumference or center. A filled element can be selected by its fill.

• If Level Lock is on, only elements on the Active Level can be selected.

• If Grid Lock is on, elements can be selected only where they lie on grid points. Some elements may not lie on any grid points.

You can use the Element Selection tool to open the Text Editor window by double-clicking on an existing text element.

To select a single element

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Click the element you want to select.
   The selected element is bracketed with handles.
   see footnote 27

To select one or more elements

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Drag around the area containing the elements you want to select. As you drag, a dynamic rectangle outlines the area.


3. Release the Data button.
   All elements that are completely inside the dynamic rectangle are selected.

To select all elements including those not visible

1. From the Edit menu, choose Select All.



When the active design file is large, choose Edit > Select All with care. It may take some time to select many elements, and elements are selected regardless of whether they are visible.

To select an additional element

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Control-click the element to select.

To select one or more additional elements

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Hold down the <Ctrl> key and drag around the area containing the additional elements you want to select.
   Be careful not to point at any element that is already selected as you press the Data button.
   To also select elements that overlap the dynamic rectangle, hold down the <Shift> key as well as the <Ctrl> key as you drag.


3. Release the Data button.
   All elements that are completely inside (or overlapping) the dynamic rectangle when you release the Data button are added to the set of selected elements.

To deselect an element

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Control-click the element to deselect.

To deselect all elements

1. Select the Element Selection tool.


2. Click somewhere in the view where there is no element.

Key-in: CHOOSE ELEMENT

It is possible to select elements based on their attributes. See Selecting Elements Based on Attributes.

Control-click means to hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking the Data button.

If you select an element, all other elements are deselected.

Selecting Element Selection automatically disables AccuDraw if it was not already disabled. To activate AccuDraw for use with Element Selection, select the Toggle AccuDraw tool in the Primary Tools tool box.