To quickly select an entire connected shape or entity in SketchUp, the most common and efficient method is using the triple-click with the Select tool.
Understanding the Triple-Click Selection
The triple-click action is a powerful shortcut in SketchUp for selecting all connected geometry. When you use the Select tool (
) and triple-click on any part of a connected shape (like a face or an edge), SketchUp automatically selects that initial entity, all the faces and edges connected to it, and any geometry connected to those entities.
For example, if you triple-click a face in a cube, the entire cube (all its faces and edges) is selected. This makes selecting complete objects or components of an object very fast.
Other Selection Methods
While triple-clicking is the go-to for connected shapes, here are other ways to select geometry, useful in different contexts:
- Single-Click: Selects a single entity (a face or an edge).
- Double-Click: Selects a face and all its bounding edges, or an edge and all the faces connected to it.
- Drag a Selection Box:
- Dragging from left to right creates a solid boundary box. This selects only entities that are entirely contained within the box.
- Dragging from right to left creates a dashed boundary box. This selects any entity that is touched or crossed by the box, as well as those fully contained within it.
- Using Modifier Keys:
- Hold Shift while clicking or dragging to add entities to or remove them from the current selection.
- Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Option (Mac) while clicking to add entities to the selection (without deselecting others).
Quick Reference Table
| Action | Result | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Click | Selects a single Face or Edge | Click one side of a box. |
| Double-Click | Selects a Face + its bounding Edges (or Edge + its connected Faces) | Double-click one side of a box. |
| Triple-Click | Selects all connected Geometry | Triple-click one side of a box selects the whole box. |
| Drag Box (L to R) | Selects entities fully within the box | Drag a box that just fits around a leg of a chair. |
| Drag Box (R to L) | Selects entities touching or within the box | Drag a box that crosses a table and chair. |
By mastering the triple-click and understanding the other selection methods, you can efficiently select and manipulate geometry in your SketchUp models.
