AutoCAD 2008 User's Guide > Work with 3D Models > Modify 3D Solids and Surfaces > Select and Modify 3D Subobjects > 
Select 3D Subobjects
Concept Procedure Quick Reference
 
 
 

You can select subobjects (faces, edges, and vertices) on solids by pressing and holding CTRL, and then selecting these subobjects.

A subobject is any part of a solid: a face, an edge, or a vertex. You can also call the original individual forms that make up composite solids subobjects. These original forms are parts of solids and are selected the same way (pressing and holding CTRL) as faces, edges, and vertices.

When faces, edges, and vertices are selected, they each display different types of grips.

You can select one subobject, or create a selection set of more than one subobject on any number of solids. Your selection set can also include more than one type of subobject. You can also use CTRL to select subobjects at the selection prompts of the MOVE, ROTATE, SCALE, and ERASE commands.

You can also press and hold CTRL to select faces, edges, and vertices on composite solids. However, if the composite solid’s History property is set to Record, your first “pick” may select an original solid that was part of the composite. While continuing to hold down CTRL, you can pick again to select a face, edge, or vertex on that original form.

You can also create a selection set that contains any number of solids, surfaces, and subobjects.

When subobjects are overlapping and selection preview is turned on, you can cycle through the subobjects by rolling over the subobject on top to highlight it, and pressing and holding CTRL and then pressing SPACEBAR continuously. When the required subobject is highlighted, left-click to select it.

If selection preview is turned off, and more than one subobject is under the selection target (the small box that replaces the crosshairs when you’re selecting objects), you can cycle through the subobjects until the correct one is selected by pressing and holding CTRL + SPACEBAR and then left-clicking.

For example, when you select faces on 3D solids, the front-facing face in the foreground is detected first. You can select a back-facing face that lies behind the front-facing face by pressing SPACEBAR (with CTRL still pressed).