A Component Problem
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Sometimes, after I've gone thru and selected all the parts and pieces of something that I want to make a component, after I've made it a component when I click on it it just selects the face I've clicked on. I cannot select it as a component. But it is listed as a component, and when I make a copy of it from the components list it comes out as a component. Kinda frustrating, as sometimes it takes a while to carefully select everything within a model that I want to save as a component. Hopes this makes sense.
A second component question - I'm sure this has happened to everyone at some time or another, you're going thru carefully double clicking the faces for a component, when you accidentally double click on something that's already a component, or group, and then you have to go back and start all over again. Is there some sort of magic key, or command, or spell, that will let you undo that and continue from before you made the bad clicks? Probably not, but I've asked about things before that I assumed couldn't be done, only to find out it can! -
From your description you are making a component out of geometry that is connected to non-selected stuff, You have to make sure you tick the box for Replace Selection with Component.
Pay attention to the bottom of the drawing window. You'll see a guide as to the modifier keys for the tool you have selected. If you inadvertently select something you don't want, hold the Shift key and click on it again.
You would make your life easier if you make a component of the related geometry before moving on to draw something else. This will prevent you from missing geometry or accidentally including geometry you don't want included in the component.
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When creating a component there is an option in the 'Create Component' menu saying:
"Replace selection with component". You may have overlooked it.
Sometimes it is already checked, sometimes it is not, depending on what is selected and whether it is ok to replace and leave attached unselected geometry without mutual/shared edges. The choice is yours.As to unselecting that unfortunately selected component:
Holding down [Ctrl] adds to current selection
Holding down [Shift] subtract from/ adds tocurrent selection depending on if an entity is already selectedor not. -
#1 - this is because if you do not have all connectede geometry selected, SU will not replace the selection with the component. Its a default that is a bit obnoxious, though they insist its a design feature. When you are in component making dialog box, down in the bottom left corner is a check box for replace selection with component. It is small and often overlooked. Just make sure that is always chcked, then your selection will be correctly replced by the component. And notice that when it is not checked, SU thinks you might have missed some geometry in your selection.
#2 - I tend to not add faces to a selection by double clicking, so I do not come across this problem that often (though it has happened before). I generally use the selection window tool, though there are times when I suppose I do double click when I have to select things face by face. One idea would be to lock the componennts ahead of time. The you could not get into edit mode and ruin your selection set.
I suppose a script could be written to lock and unlock all components/groups quickly. I'm not sure if that is really the best solution here. Maybe others have better ideas?
Chris
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Your info on checking the box when making a component solved that problem.
But as to problem of accidentally selecting the wrong object --@dave r said:
If you inadvertently select something you don't want, hold the Shift key and click on it again.
@wo3dan said:
As to unselecting that unfortunately selected component:Holding down [Ctrl] adds to current selection
Holding down [Shift] subtract from/ adds tocurrent selection depending on if an entity is already selectedor not.I'm already holding down the shift key as I make my selections, that's how I select all the faces I want for the component. I double click on each of them, and I know that if I accidentally double click on something I don't want I can just click on it again to deselect it. My problem arises if I accidentally double click on a component, then the whole model gets grayed out except for that component, and nothing that I have tried simply deselects that component and lets me continue from where I was. I have to start over.
@dave r said:
You would make your life easier if you make a component of the related geometry before moving on to draw something else. This will prevent you from missing geometry or accidentally including geometry you don't want included in the component.
@chris fullmer said:
One idea would be to lock the componennts ahead of time. The you could not get into edit mode and ruin your selection set.
I agree, and when I'm creating something that's what I do. But the situation I'm talking about is a model that I've gotten from the warehouse and want to select all parts of the chassis, or engine, or kitchen cabinets, and make it a component so I can drag it out of there and do whatever with it. That's where it gets tricky as far as selecting each face that I need. And of course it does happen with models I created before I discovered the wonderful world of components.
@chris fullmer said:
I generally use the selection window tool
If you mean using the selection tool to drag a window around things to select them all, I use that a lot, but it's useful only if those objects are by themselves, not buried in a model. You get all sorts of strange results if you try that, with other stuff around and behind what you are trying to select. That's why I have to go in and carefully select each part that I want.
Anyhow, thanks for all your help and suggestions. I have another question but I want to start a new topic with it so maybe if somebody else has a question about the same thing they can search for it and maybe get what they need.
This is a fun program. I'm getting gray hair, bleeding ulcers, and have developed several dozen facial tics
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@unknownuser said:
I'm already holding down the shift key as I make my selections, that's how I select all the faces I want for the component. I double click on each of them, and I know that if I accidentally double click on something I don't want I can just click on it again to deselect it. My problem arises if I accidentally double click on a component, then the whole model gets grayed out except for that component, and nothing that I have tried simply deselects that component and lets me continue from where I was. I have to start over.
When you double click on an existing component/grpoup, you open it for editing. That's why everything else grays out. If you double click while holding Shift on something that isn't a component/group, you end up selecting and immediately deselecting it. Just single click on things as you're selecting and you won't have any trouble.
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@dave r said:
@unknownuser said:
If you double click while holding Shift on something that isn't a component/group, you end up selecting and immediately deselecting it.
Actually, when I double click on something it doesn't deselect it, it selects it with a dark blue border around it's edges. I was using that feature to better tell if an object has been selected, it's sometimes difficult to tell, depending on the color. Especially with tiny little parts and pieces. But I take your point. Thanks
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Double clicking selsects the face and its bounding edges - which is what you want if you are selecting things to turn into a component. So its a good habit I think. But I can see how it would be painful if it enters into component edit mode and de-selects everything.
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So if I use double click and accidentally get a component into the edit mode, there's no way to undo that without having to start over? Actually, what I think I'll start doing is first single click and make sure it's not a component, without going into the edit mode, then double click if it's ok. A bit more trouble and wear and tear on my poor overworked mouse, but that's the price you pay for having so much fun, right?
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Here are some of the Selection Click "Rules".
Single click on an entity selects that entity. Click on an edge, get the edge. Click on a face, get the face, click on a component, get the component, etc.
Double click on a face, get the face and its bounding edges.
Double click on a component or group, open the component or group for editing
Triple click on a face or edge, get all connected faces and edges.
Triple click on a component or group, open the component or group for editing and select all connected geometry inside the component. -
But what kind of click takes me to the land of Oz? I need to go there, badly
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Heels! But you need your ruby slippers. Oh, and your little dog, Toto
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Dang, had Toto for supper last nite. Tough times all around.
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