AutoCAD Tips to Work Smarter - February 2003
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Selecting Objects
Dozens of AutoCAD commands (like Erase, Move, Copy, Stretch, Scale and Rotate) allow the selection of multiple objects. Most users select objects one at a time or with an implied window. When you pick a point that doesn't lie on an object, you are activating implied windowing. The selected point becomes one corner of a selection window. If you move your point to the right, only objects entirely inside the window's boundaries will be selected. Objects inside and touching the window will be selected, if you move your pointer to the left. The first is known as a window selection, the second is a crossing selection.
When you see the Select objects: prompt, you have several other options available. To use one of them, type the indicated abbreviation below and press ENTER. Here are a few of the most useful ones.
Note: To deselected objects, hold the shift and choose the objects.
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Window (W) |
Selects all objects completely inside a rectangle defined by two points. Unlike an implied window, selection direction is unimportant. 
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Crossing (C) |
Selects all objects completely inside a rectangle defined by two points. Unlike an implied window, selection direction is unimportant. 
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Window Polygon (WP) |
Selects objects completely inside a polygon defined by points. The polygon can be any shape but cannot cross or touch itself. 
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Crossing Polygon (CP) |
Selects objects within and crossing a polygon defined by specifying points. The polygon can be any shape but cannot cross or touch itself. Use with the Stretch command to select irregular areas to be stretched. 
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Fence (F) |
Selects all objects crossing a selection fence. The Fence method is similar to CPolygon except that AutoCAD does not close the fence, and a fence can cross itself. Fence is recognized by the Trim, Extend and Lengthen commands. 
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Last (L) |
Selects the most recently created visible object. |
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Previous (P) |
Selects the most recent selection set. |
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All (A) |
Selects all objects on thawed, unlocked layers. |