Cannot Select Multiple Sketch Entities During Extrude

[neljoshua]

When creating an extrude, there are times that I am unable to select multiple sketch entities.  If, however, I go back and edit the extrude, I am able to select new entites, but only one at a time.  In this instance, I am creating mounting holes for a pump; as the pump has four holes, this requires four extrude steps (rather than one, as it should).

Has anyone else seen this?  Am I doing something wrong?  Whether or not I can select multiple sketch entites during the initial extrude command seems to be random.

[promm]

@neljoshua,

Are you pressing Command or Control when trying to select additional features?  If you can share the model I would be happy to look into what is happening.

Cheers,

Mike Prom

[neljoshua]

Mike,

I am using neither control nor command.  I typically do not have to.

Should I be so doing?

[Anonymous]

Hi Josh,

Pressing command (Mac) or control (Windows)  lets you "force select" parts in a selection dialog (this is how it was explained to me) so if you are having difficulting selecting, this can help.

Note that any previews (such as fillet corners) will not appear until after you release cmd/ctrl.

Give it a try and let us know if it helps. Thansk!

[Anonymous]

I have always been able to select multiple sketch entities when I first create an extrusion, but can only select one per edit as you described. I haven't tried using Ctrl, but I find it odd that selection works differently whether a feature is being created vs. edited. Consistency throughout a program goes a long way towards making it easy to learn and use.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

This has to do with the text feild becoming active (not just in Extrude, but in Fillet and other tools as well)

I have attached a screencast showing the issue.

Once you enter text in the field (the thickness of the extrusion in this case) you "lose" the ability to select more geometry unless you use cmd/ctrl.

So, on edit, it automatically activates the text feild after the first selection, effectively "cancelling" selection.

And if you choose a thickness, then try to select more geometry in the inital extrusion, it also fails.

Workflow:

Choose "Extrude" (Note: The same beahvior appears in any tool, like fillet, that has both selection and text feilds)

Select sketch objects

Enter number in text feild

Try to select more sketh objects - FAIL

Edit Extrude (or fillet, etc)

Select single sketch object

Text feild automatically activates

Try to select more sketch objects - FAIL

The issue here is the activation of the text feild means you can't select more objects without using cmd/ctrl - whether in the original operation or on edit. The reason it is so clear on edit, is the text feild doesn't activate until AFTER you select one object/entity.

So, the workaround in this case is to use cmd/ctrl to select after the text feild has been activated.

I have observed this working in this manner on Extrude, Filet, and Chamfer (I don't use much more than these, but I imagine it would work this way in any tool with a selection/text box).

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

My point about consistency is that Extrude should work the same whether I'm creating one or editing one. Either the text field should automatically activate in both cases or neither case. Multi-select with the Ctrl key is fine, as that's how multi-select works with nearly every other Windows application. But when you can multi-select without pressing Ctrl in one instance, it gives the impression that the program is broken when you can't multi-select without Ctrl in another instance.

[Anonymous]

I understand what you mean, and I agree, the only reason I was outlining it so specifically is so if Support drops in they can see specifically where we have issues - it's not just in editing, but in creation too, once the field is active it changes it.

So there would be a few solutions: 1). let us select even as the text feild is active 2). NEVER automatically activate the text field 3). Let clicking "Selection" reactivate seletion abilities (basically like pressing cmd/ctrl).

Until this is fixed/changed, cmd/ctrl is a valid workaround. That is the purpose of these forums - both providing feedback, and providing workarounds. Even if Support see these posts, and decide to fix it, it can be weeks before we see the update. Until then, everyone who sees this post will be interested in workarounds.

Thanks, and I hope we hear about whether this behavior will be changed.

[neljoshua]

This behavior is exactly what I was talking about--only I did not notice that it was related to the text field.  Thanks for clearing that up.

I agree that the operation should be the same regardless of how the command is issued, but it is good to have a workaround.  Being a mac user for a number of years, I am aware of the multi-select using command.  I was, however, confused because at times it is not required.  My workflow (when I get a part right for the first time...) is to create a sketch, initiate the extrude command, select all geometry that I wish to use, and then enter the distance.  This would explain why I do not typically see this issue.

[promm]

Thank you everyone for feedback on this and @Josh.nelson thank you for sharing your model.  The consensus that it should work the same is correct and what you are experiencing is a bug.  The designed workflow is when you edit that you have to hold down control or command to add or remove to the selection.  The reason why that was described by @Autumn.S explaining that the text field is active is correct.  I have logged this issue and put it in our backlog. 

Cheers,

Mike Prom

[neljoshua]

Thanks.

I must say that the Autodesk team is awesome.  I can think of no other software company that acknowledges issues and works to resolve them like you all do.  A number of companies spend time trying to describe why it is not a bug or how one should not need that functionality.

[erutan409]

Out of curiosity - has there been any headway on this?  I seem to be experiencing this on Windows 10.

Thanks!

[davebMGKNB]

Yes I am getting this behaviour as well.

I am attempting to select multiple faces from imported meshes that have been converted to brep. Whichever selection tool I use, even using selection filters, I can only select 1 face. Hitting shift or control that seems to have worked in other contexts in the past has no effect. I can often select 1 triangle at a time, which is impractical over large sets.

There is a real hack that seems to fix this on a limited scale. I am unsure what other negative side effects it has, but Im fairly certain they are significant. However if one right clicks and uses 'edit feature' it enters another mode. In that mode the 'normal' selection procedure is back. Paint select works, using control and shift to modify the selection works etc. Then on hitting the 'finish feature' button the broken behaviour comes back.

[bnelsona321]

I am having a similar issue as this. attempting to edit extrude two objects and after clicking one I'm unable to click the other. it looks exactly like these screen casts portray it and I have attempted using ctrl to no avail. any other ideas?

[laughingcreek]

are the profiles on the same plane?  in the same sketch?  can you attach you're model (export it as an .f3d) or at least some pics?

[bnelsona321]

here is the .f3d file. 

I am attempting to extrude the left side of the two shelves outward into the left side of the cabinet to create a dado. however, the problem persists that I have been unable to select both simultaneously. I'm sure there is something simple I'm overlooking as I'm fairly new to fusion. Thank you for your time.

[davebYYPCU]

Nothing wrong with the Fusion tools, just your workflows.

Do you hide bodies that are in the way with eyeballs?

You have 2 shelves face to face at the moment, and a pending Capture Position, when the file opens, 

Capture the Position.

Do you want to cut a full depth channel in the back too?  Untick the back in the objects to cut.

Normally the shelf is finished width (edit the shelf extrude)

and you Combine > Cut the dado with the shelf, keep tools to save time,

but your main problem would be selecting profiles from 2 different component sketches.  Can't do that. 

Will have to be 2 extrudes one for each sketch.

Might help....