topic Re: object selection difficulty in 3ds Max Forum

object selection difficulty

Wes.ElQushairy — Wed, 25 May 2022 11:52:24 GMT

Hi,
I used 3dsmax for over 10 years, now I mostly work on files with thousands of objects overlapping Like engines, vehicles etc.
now selecting object is a NIGHTMARE the least to say. not a single time the app is highlighting the need object which is the one directly under the mouse. it highlight all other objects and this is really FRUSTRATING.
please advice.
thanks

Re: object selection difficulty

10DSpace — Wed, 25 May 2022 13:08:01 GMT

@Wes.ElQushairy

2 things that help in the situation with multiple objects under the cursor are:

1) If you click and max selects the object you don't want then click a 2nd time without moving the mouse and max will select a different object that is under the object. Keep clicking until you get the one you want. In a very heavy scene with many objects it could take a second or 2 for max to toggle to the next object under the cursor. I am not sure how well known this feature of max is, but it works for me, although I have not tested it an a scene/view angle with more than 2 or 3 objects under the cursor. You may have to change the view angle to reduce the number of objects under the cursor at the same time to more quickly find the object you want.

2) sometimes toggling to wireframe (F3) (or back to shaded) will help you get a different object under the cursor when clicking

Re: object selection difficulty

Wes.ElQushairy — Wed, 25 May 2022 13:39:14 GMT

thanks for the reply, unfortunately this may not be a practical way to deal with complex scenes, clicking until my luck gives me the needed object is not a solution.
the issue is the app is trying to pick objects away from the mouse.

is there a threshold maybe for this? is this some kind of smart selection feature?

Re: object selection difficulty

10DSpace — Wed, 25 May 2022 14:30:54 GMT

@Wes.ElQushairy

the issue is the app is trying to pick objects away from the mouse

Well that's a different issue then, if Max is selecting objects that are not under the mouse cursor when you click. That is definitely not normal behavior. Are you very far from the objects you are trying to select and does it change accuracy of selection when you zoom in? The only other thought I have is are your scene objects very far from the origin? As you probably know, Max accuracy suffers at very far distances from the origin and there is a relationship to how you have your Scene Units set up.

is there a threshold maybe for this? is this some kind of smart selection feature?

No threshold that I am aware of, but the accuracy of selection seems sometimes to be affected by how closely zoomed in you are to the objects and Max accuracy generally would suffer if your objects are very far from the origin.

To get a feel for how the repeat click selection should work, I suggest you create a new Max scene and make say 25 copies of an object all in the same place. Then zoom in so the objects fill the view port and repeatedly click on the highlighted Object(s) without moving the cursor . You should observe the object selection cycling through all 25 objects very quickly.

But if you are not getting that expected behavior, then something likely is different about your scene. Maybe if your objects are imported from other programs, the surface normals are messed up in some way and max is having a hard time selecting them? What version of Max are you using and what scene unit setup?

Re: object selection difficulty

Wes.ElQushairy — Wed, 25 May 2022 14:52:55 GMT

I mean away from the depth, not the very first object under the cursor, and this is with all scenes, as far as I remember this behavior started from 2012, I am currently using latest 2021, and 2022. I am almost sure it is a feature introduced 2012 maybe earlier. named smart selection or something.

I am not sure what is the genius algorithm that makes the app think what object I may want to select.

Re: object selection difficulty

10DSpace — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:45:54 GMT

@Wes.ElQushairy

Sorry, but I cannot replicate your issue with my scenes, but maybe your scenes are a lot more complex. Mine typically have ~ 2000 - 7,000 objects and I haven't come across a situation where by changing my view angle/position, I could not select an object I wanted even if it was buried behind other objects. I don't understand why if you have an object that in depth is very far from your current view, you cannot just change your view angle/position to get closer to the object and have a clearer shot at selecting it? Maybe a screenshot would help and/or maybe someone else has had a similar issue and can help.

Re: object selection difficulty

Wes.ElQushairy — Wed, 25 May 2022 15:49:55 GMT

Customize - Viewports - Viewport Parameters
Selection Pixel Radius:

changing this to 1 pixel seems to help.

Re: object selection difficulty

Wes.ElQushairy — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:01:00 GMT

thanks @10DSpace I appreciate your help.

Re: object selection difficulty

10DSpace — Wed, 25 May 2022 16:32:50 GMT

@Wes.ElQushairy

Great, I am glad you found something that helps. Thanks for your post. I never even noticed the pixel selection radius setting, so I will file it away for future reference. I wonder if it matters more with 2K monitors vs 4K monitors since each pixel would occupy more screen space on a 2K monitor vs 4K monitor.

FYI, I found this short video on how setting the selection pixel radius lower than the default of 16 helps with more precisely making cuts into geometry as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEaVtVjCQm4

Re: object selection difficulty

Diffus3d — Wed, 25 May 2022 21:30:35 GMT

I have problems making selections if I am zoomed too far in as well, starting with 3dsmax 2021. (From 18). The hit zone is offset. I do use a 2500x1600ish monitor. There is definitely something amiss occasionally.

Best Regards,

Re: object selection difficulty

bcoyle — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:31:19 GMT

I have this same issue - moving from 3dsmax 2016 that worked flawlessly to 2025.

So many selection issues. Foreground objects not getting selected but background objects behind it will be. Also top view small selections will include larger objects, cameras, etc. It drives me crazy.

Did you ever find a solution?

Re: object selection difficulty

MartinBeh — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 18:12:48 GMT

Does this help? https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-modeling/select-object-in-vilewport-bug-3ds-max-2025/m-p/13100250

Re: object selection difficulty

bcoyle — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:52:50 GMT

you're a wizard!

"nitrousgraphicsmanager.HardwareHitTestEnabled=true"

seems to have worked for my immediate selection issues. I'll have to see with time if it continues to solve the problem

thank you