4
$\begingroup$

Every now and then I will stumble across this issue when making instanced objects in a circular rotation pattern. The origins will be at the center of the arc, while the actual meshes will be a large distance away from the origin. I will then add more objects with identically positioned origins in the center of the circle (i.e. watch face). Is there a way to select the outer bolts using an equivalent of the standard Ctrl+LMB free-select for mesh surface instead of mesh origins?

Select By Surface Illustration

I am aware of the ability to select linked objects, this solution will not always work.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ If groups are not convinient for you, I will suggest supergrouper addon, with that you can select bunch of objects in one single click. $\endgroup$
    – JuhaW
    Jun 14, 2015 at 11:38
  • $\begingroup$ I would define a vertex group containing the instances of the outer bolts. Then the outer bolts can be selected using the group. $\endgroup$
    – brasshat
    Jun 14, 2015 at 23:44

2 Answers 2

3
$\begingroup$

Border select seems to select by mesh surface, whereas circle and lasso select use origin positions.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Hmm . . . I need to be able to make a custom selection shape if at all possible $\endgroup$
    – J Sargent
    Jun 13, 2015 at 23:47
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ You could get your lower example with three border selects. If there is a difference on Z you may be able to rotate around and get it in one. $\endgroup$
    – sambler
    Jun 14, 2015 at 12:46
1
$\begingroup$

I think that the fastest selection method, in your case, is by typing the name of the object in the outliner search bar (often a couple of type is enough)

$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ So I could select all meshes starting with n characters? I have a couple dozen that I need to select $\endgroup$
    – J Sargent
    Jun 14, 2015 at 11:07

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .