While working with 2D objects, you almost always need to select other objects. In a typical function, you must select one or multiple objects, finish the selection, and then the function processes the selected set. For example, selection is used when deleting objects, translating objects, changing object color, etc. Temporary toolbars provide selection options.
The most direct way to include objects in the selection set is to left-click on them. Objects are selected if they are within the cursor aperture, and selected objects are highlighted in a different color.
A temporary toolbar appears during object selection, which provides additional selection options. All options are also available on the Select menu. You can select single objects, or groups of objects that share attributes such as a particular color. You can select groups of objects from the entire drawing, or you can use selection windows. You can also access selection options by entering the relevant command keys (which are not case-sensitive). When using commands, the desired object must already lie within the cursor aperture.
These options enable you to select single objects of a certain type, that are found within the cursor aperture. When using these selection options, automatic detection is irrelevant.
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | L | Selects a line |
![]() | P | Selects a point |
![]() | A | Selects an arc or circle |
![]() | S | Selects a symbol |
![]() | Shift + 6 (^) | Selects an arrow |
![]() | C | Selects a hatch |
![]() | N | Selects text |
![]() | D | Selects a dimension |
![]() | 1-8 | Selects objects in a work set |
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | R | Selects objects completely inside the selection window |
![]() | I | Selects objects completely or partially inside the selection window |
![]() | I | Selects objects completely or partially outside the selection window |
![]() | O | Selects objects completely outside the selection window |
![]() | V | Selects objects on a specified layer |
![]() | B | Selects objects of a specified color |
![]() | Y | Selects objects of a specified line type |
![]() | T | Selects a group of objects of a specified type. You can select from the entire drawing, or use a selection window. |
![]() | Selection Windows - 2RG |
Use this function to determine when and how selection windows will be used. If, during a selection, you click in the drawing and nothing is selected, you can set the system behavior to do one of the following:
Icon | Key | Use |
![]() | E | Selects a profile to be used to create a solid. The profile is selected segment by segment. |
![]() | F | Selects a profile to be used to create a solid. The profile is identified automatically. |
![]() | M | Selects all objects linked to a single 3D solid. These objects are created by exporting a 3D view. |
![]() | G | Selects all objects belonging to a 3D view export. |
Some functions, such as Fillet and Chamfer, require you to select a limited number of objects. In this case, there is no need to finish the selection group. If you need to select two segments that share a corner, you can select the segments individually or select the corner itself. To select by using the corner, click when the V symbol appears on the corner. See also Creating Corners, Chamfers and Fillets.
With Automatic Detection, the cursor detects objects within the aperture. Press “+” to activate Automatic Detection, and press “-“ to deactivate it.
![]() | To delete objects from a selection set, active Deselect and use the normal methods to select objects - each selected object will return to its unselected state. Pressing X while selecting will also deselect objects. |
Press Enter or right-click to complete the selection set.
Most 2D objects require geometric input in the form of X, Y coordinates. VariCAD makes it easy to select certain significant locations relative to existing objects. To select a point on an object, move the cursor over the object so that it is highlighted. Clicking on the object will select the point closest to the cursor. If cursor approaches a snap point, such as an endpoint or midpoint, a symbol appears next to the cursor. Clicking when you see this symbol selects the point. The following letters indicate snap points:
Letter | Snap Point |
L | Line endpoint |
M | Line or arc midpoint |
A | Arc endpoint |
X | Intersection |
S | Connection point of a symbol or block |
@ | Center of circle or arc |
1 | 0-deg point of a circle or arc |
2 | 90-deg point of a circle or arc |
3 | 180-deg point of a circle or arc |
4 | 270-deg point of a circle or arc |
You can also use icons, keys, and Snap menu items to specify snap points or other geometric locations. If you use the keyboard, the desired point must already be within the cursor aperture. The Snap menu also enables you to permanently use certain snaps.
Automatic detection of a snap point
Icon | Key | Location |
![]() | L | Nearest endpoint of a line segment |
![]() | M | Midpoint of a line or arc |
![]() | A | Nearest endpoint of an arc |
![]() | 5 | Center of an arc or circle |
![]() | X | Intersection of two segments (intersection point must lie within cursor aperture) |
![]() | F | Intersection of two segments (select both segments, can also find intersection of segment extensions) |
![]() | P | Point (must lie within cursor aperture) |
![]() | Z | Insertion point of a block or symbol |
![]() | S | Connection point or insertion point of a block or symbol |
![]() | 1 | 0-deg point of a circle or arc |
![]() | 2 | 90-deg point of a circle or arc |
![]() | 3 | 180-deg point of a circle or arc |
![]() | 4 | 270-deg point of a circle or arc |
![]() | O | Nearest point on an arc or line |
![]() | Spacebar | Nearest grid point |
![]() | C | Nearest intersection of construction lines |
Icon | Key | Location |
![]() | G | Defined distance from the nearest line endpoint |
![]() | B | Intersection of a selected object and a line created from the last point at a specified angle |
![]() | 6 | Intersection of a selected object and a line created from the last point, perpendicular to this object |
![]() | T | Tangent point on a selected object, directed from the last point |
![]() | E | Halfway between two defined points |
Icon | Key | Location |
![]() | K | Enter X, Y coordinates |
![]() | D | Enter dX and dY from the last point |
![]() | R | Enter the distance and angle from the last point |
Icon | Key | Function |
![]() | W | Redefine the user origin |
N/A | I | Snaps to the center of the cursor aperture |
N/A | + | Turns on automatic detection of objects |
N/A | - | Turns off automatic detection of objects |
Some functions, such as symbol insertion or mechanical part insertion, allow you to determine the rotation angle of inserted objects relative to line segments. Angles are measured counterclockwise from the +X direction (to the right of the origin). Temporary icons and keys are provided to specify the method of angle definition. The available angle directions are:
Icon | Key | Angle definition |
![]() | L | Direction is relative to the line proceeding to the left |
![]() | R | Direction is relative to the line proceeding to the right |
![]() | D | Direction is relative to the line proceeding up |
![]() | U | Direction is relative to the line proceeding down |
In some cases, the angle can be defined perpendicular to a selected line segment.
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