Managing the Visualization and the Selection of Elements

You can use the view tool to visualize and select elements on the base mesh.

This task shows you how to:

View and Select Visible Elements

You can view hidden elements and enable or prevent their selection.

Select one of the following options:
OptionDescription
All/All Views all hidden elements and enables their selection.
All/Front Views all hidden elements and prevents their selection.
Front/Front Prevents the elements of all hidden edges.
Note: If the Show hidden lines in dashed lines option is cleared in Me > Preferences > App Preferences > 3D Modeling > Styling , hidden edges are shown with the same options as the base mesh elements. For more information, see Display.
Tip: You can change the selection mode by pressing Shift+Alt+2.

Work Directly on the Surface

You can choose to work directly on or near the subdivision surface when modifying it.

  1. Select one or more vertices and move the selected vertices along their own local normal.
  2. Select one of the following options:
    OptionDescription
    Distant Applies the modifications near the surface.
    Projected Applies the modifications on the surface.
    Hidden Hides the base mesh.

    Tip: You can change where to apply modifications by pressing Shift+Alt+3.

Preview the Base Mesh

You can manage the level of preview of the base mesh to increase either the performance or the quality of the preview.

Select one of the following options:
OptionDescription
Polygonal Gives a preview corresponding to the base mesh and enables you to have the fastest possible computation.
Low Gives the best quality / performance ratio.
High Gives a preview closest to the final result but a very low performance. It is not advised on big models.

Tip: You can change the level of preview by pressing Shift+Alt+1.

Select Using a Trap

You can select elements using traps.

  1. Select one of the following options:
    OptionDescription
    Rectangle Adds elements inside a frame defined by two diagonal points.
    Stroke Adds elements by intersecting edges or faces. Vertices closest to the selection plane are added to the selection.
    Lasso Adds elements inside a zone defined by drawing.
    Brush Adds elements inside a zone defined by a brush.
    Tip: You can define the brush thickness: when you start the selection, a circular handle appears. Move the pointer over it and drag to modify the radius.
  2. Press Shift and click to start drawing the trap.

    Press both Shift and Ctrl to add or remove a trap selection.

  3. Release Shift to close the trap.

    Tip: You can change the trap mode by pressing Shift+Alt+4.