Invert selection??

[Matt__W]

Is it possible to invert a selection set? I have a large site with a lot of buildings on it. I'd like to be able to use a polygon selection window to select the buildings within my project extents, then invert that selection to select all of the buildings OUTSIDE of my project limits. I would then remove the facade styles and apply a gray-ish appearance to those buildings to help take the focus off them and sort of push them to the background. Basically I don't want the surrounding buildings to take focus away from the project site. I know I can SELECT EQUAL or SELECT NOT EQUAL but that requires I add some sort of specific data that I can use to filter by, such as a description.  Thoughts? Suggestions??

[elliott.rosenfeld · Accepted solution]

Hi Matt,

I would suggest using a location filter expression to select your buildings within your project extents, or the polygon select like you have been, and then add some sort of property value to only those buildings using the properties palette. For instance, add "project" to the Tag field for all of those buildings. (You can do this in one action if you have all those buildings selected, and then right-click and choose Properties. You'll have to be in Edit mode too.)

Once you've done that, you can create two subsets of your buildings, one for "project" and for everything else. Once you have two separate subsets defined, you can right-click on a subset in the Model Explorer and choose Select All. That way you'll be able to deal with each subset separately.

Hope this helps,

Elliott

[elliott.rosenfeld]

Also, Alt + I is the keyboard shortcut for invert selection, although I'm not sure it will select everything outside of your radius select, for instance.

[Matt__W]

I've come to the conclusion that creating a subset using a filter to select all buildings whose DESCRIPTION NULL is working out the best (at least for this project). I only have to select the few dozen buildings within my area of interest and give them a specific description, the rest can stay as-is since they don't have a description.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

<side note> It would be nice to be able to invert a selection of the selected object type(s). For example, if you select a road and invert that selection, it would be nice if it only selected roads. Currently, an invert selection selects EVERYTHING that isn't already selected. </side note>

[elliott.rosenfeld]

Hey Matt, 

Glad you were able to find a solution. I appreciate your feedback on desired enhancements, and I agree.  I'd suggest posting ideas like this to the InfraWorks 360 Idea Station also if you have time 🙂

Best,

Elliott

[Anonymous]

When I want to select everything outside of my selection, I use right click > isolate selected objects > hide selected objects. I can then select everything that's not hidden and do what I need to do. Remember not to use CTRL + A otherwise you will select your hidden objects too.

[4co2op0]

"<side note> It would be nice to be able to invert a selection of the selected object type(s). For example, if you select a road and invert that selection, it would be nice if it only selected roads. Currently, an invert selection selects EVERYTHING that isn't already selected. </side note>"

How do you invert selection in AutoCAD?

Also, Would SELECTSIMILAR accomplish what you mention above?

SELECTSIMILARMODE allows you to control the property it is set to. Default 130 is by layer name. So if you selected an object on the ROAD layer, everything on the ROAD layer would also be selected.

There are quite a few variables that are helpful for many situations. An explanation of the different variables can be found at the link below:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/ENU/AutoC...