topic Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight) in 3ds Max Forum

Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

vonaubreynaval — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 06:42:55 GMT

Hello there. I am trying to select a mesh from my viewport in order to rotate their arms, but for some reason I can't seem to select the particular mesh. Normally on hover it should show a yellow outline, and on select it should show a blue outline. EVEN though the outlines aren't showing, the object is still selecting, but I am unable to use the basic tools like "Select and Move" or "Select and Rotate"

I have tried these settings on the Viewport preferences, but they aren't working.

I have also tried the shortcuts "D" and "J", but they aren't working as well.

In short, here's what I'm trying to achieve:

(I got this from a footage from before)

What is supposed to happen upon hover:

What is happening on hover:

For additional info, here is what's happening.

This is what is happening, to be specific.

I am trying to hover over her right arm, and it briefly shows the outline, but is not showing afterwards.

If anyone could help me, that would be great.

I am using 3ds Max 2019

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

10DSpace — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:15:33 GMT

@vonaubreynaval

Are you able to select the object by selecting it from Scene Explorer? If so, then you might have the viewport selection filter set to something other than "All" or "Geometry".

Not sure why you are getting the momentary flash of the outline, though.

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

vonaubreynaval — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:39:29 GMT

Heya 10DSpace.

Yes I have double checked. It is set to "All".

Also, It definitely gets selected in the Scene Explorer, But it's still not being highlighted blue.

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

10DSpace — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:20:52 GMT

@vonaubreynaval

What stylized display setting are you using to produce that 2 dimensional cartoon like look? Can you switch to [Standard] [Edged Faces] Viewport setting and then post a screenshot with you selecting the object? I want to see if the edges show up as selected (i.e., turn white). And your transform gizmo does not show up either when the object is selected, but that could be because the pivots of the objects are offscreen somewhere. Can you expand the viewport view a bit to show if the transform gizmos are showing up when the object is selected.

Lastly, is this problem with selection outline not showing up recent, but this was working fine before?

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

vonaubreynaval — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:21:32 GMT

@10DSpace

Heya!

It's basically High Quality, but I currently have it User Defined and with Shadow and Ambient Occlusion lighting off.

Here is what you've requested:

As for the gizmo transform, it does appear yes.

And to answer your question. Yes. It was working fine before. I am not sure why this is really happening all of a sudden.

Does 3DS Max have a debugging mode that I could use in order to see for any occurrences in the program? Maybe I can trace that problem from there since the yellow outline appears in a split second upon loading the .max file.

At first it might be the .max file's issue, but I tried another .max file and it seems to be the case as well.

I'm gonna try rebuilding this model from scratch and see if the problem still presists.

Thanks for your reply!

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

10DSpace — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:11:09 GMT

@vonaubreynaval

Before you spend time re-building your model, an easier test would be just to open a new scene in Max, create a box and see if it is highlighted when selected. But you mentioned already that you have seen the problem with another max scene, so if a selected box in a new scene is not highlighted with the selection outline then it is your existing max installation and/or how it interacts with your graphics card and not any specific model or scene that you are working on. What we know is that all other functionality is in tact; objects are selected, their edges highlighted, the transform gizmo is activated and the the objects can be manipulated normally. Only the display of the preview and selection outlines are affected despite the fact that you have these set to be on in the Viewport preferences dialog (I am sure you have already tried toggling them on an off to see if they can be "reset"). Lastly, this is a recent problem and you are not sure what has changed. The momentary flash of the preview highlights seems to suggest a graphic card display glitch (but that could be software or hardware).

So this suggests to me the following possibilities:

1. A recent graphic card driver update (or one is needed)

2. A reset of the UI is needed (rename ENU folder to ENU_Old) as explained here:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Resetting-3ds-Max-3ds-Max-Design.html

If you do the UI reset make sure to first save your custom User Interface so you can restore it after the reset.

3. You have recently installed a new plug-in that is somehow affecting the selection outline display functionality

If none of the above work, I have to admit I am out of ideas.

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

lnorri21 — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 07:14:01 GMT

File - Preference - Viewports - turn on "Selection/Preview Highlights"

Youtube Example -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1RgImoYf9o

😊

Happy CG'ing!

Re: Trouble selecting objects (Unable to select and highlight)

itstaka2B9MG — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 03:00:12 GMT

✅ [Solved] Selection Highlight Not Showing in 3ds Max

If your Selection Highlight (the light blue outline around selected objects) suddenly disappears in 3ds Max, here’s the fix and the reason behind it:

🔹 The Fix

Press Ctrl + Shift + D

This shortcut re-enables the Viewport Display (Highlight) mode when it’s been accidentally disabled.
Once you press it, the blue selection outline immediately comes back.

🔹 The Reason

This issue happens because the viewport becomes disabled — often due to a shortcut being triggered unintentionally or a temporary viewport focus loss.
When the viewport is disabled, selection highlights, wireframe outlines, and object interaction feedback are all turned off.
Ctrl + Shift + D simply reactivates the current viewport, restoring all visual feedback normally shown when you select an object.