Creating and Applying Filters for Entity Selection

Use the SelectionFilter command to filter entities for selection.

You can

• Create complex selection filters, using relational and logical operators.
• Apply selection filters transparently during the execution of modification commands.
• Save and apply named filters.

After you select entities based on the filter, modify the entities using the modification commands or the Properties palette.

Note: The command does not create a selection set. It defines criteria to apply on a selection set.

To create and apply selection filters:

1. Do one of the following:
   • On the menu, click Tools > Selection Filter.
   • Type SelectionFilter.
2. Type SelectionFilter at the command prompt.
3. In the dialog box, in Filter type, select an entity type, an entity type with property, or a property.
4. Click Add Filter Type  to add the item to the filter list.
5. If you selected an entity with property:

   In the dialog box:

   1. Specify a relational operator (*, =, !=, >, >=, <, or <=).
   2. Specify a value.
   3. Click OK.
   4. Click .
6. Click Add  to add the the item to the filter list.
7. In Operator, set a logical operator (AND, OR, NOT, or XOR) if needed.

   Use logical operators to group filter expressions.

8. If you selected a logical operator, click Add  to add the operator to the filter list.
9. If you selected a logical operator, click Add Operator  to add the operator to the filter list.
10. Use options as needed:
    • Click Add Entity  and click in the graphics area to add an entity to the selection filter.
    • Click Add Entity  and click in the graphics area to add an entity to the selection filter.

      The dialog box closes temporarily until you select a drawing entity to add to the filter list.

    • Click Delete  to selectively remove filter list items.
    • Click Delete Row  to selectively remove filter list items.
    • Click Clear List  to clear the selection filter list.
    • Click Clear Tree  to clear the selection filter list.
11. Repeat steps 2 to 7 as needed.
12. Repeat steps 2 to 6 as needed.
13. Click OK.
14. Click .

    The selection filter is now active.

    Note: At this point no selection set is created. Unlike the SmartSelect command, it defines criteria to apply on a selection set. It is important to continue with the next step.

15. In the graphics area, specify the entities to which you want to apply the selection filter.

    You can use any of the entity selection methods.

16. Press Enter to conclude entity selection.
17. Run a modification command.

    The command uses the preselection (step 10). It does not prompt to specify entities.

To reapply selection filters with the next modification command:

1. Run a modification command.
2. Specify the Previous option at the next Specify entities prompt.

Using selection filters transparently

You can apply selection filters as transparent command by typing 'SelectionFilter at the "Specify entities" prompt of modification commands.

To use selection filters transparently:

1. Invoke a command to modify drawing entities (for example, Copy).
2. At the "Specify entities" prompt, type 'SelectionFilter.
3. In the Selection Filter dialog box, define a new filter or select an existing named filters.
4. Click OK.
5. Click .
6. In the graphics area, specify the entities to which you want to apply the selection filter and press Enter.
7. Follow the prompts of the modification command.

Working with named selection filters

You can save selection filters under a name and reapply the named filters.

Selection filters are stored in the user's profile, not in the drawing and you can apply them on your computer.

You can store several saved selection filters into a.flt file to use them on another computer or to exchange selection filters with your colleagues. See Exporting and Importing Named Selection Filters.

Note: Selection filters parameters that do not match property settings within the current drawing (such as Layer name specifications) are ignored when applying the filter.

To save named selection filters:

1. In the Selection Filter dialog box, define a selection filter as described above.
2. Type a name for the filter in the text box next to the Save button and click Save.

   The selection filter name appears in the Named filter, select a saved filter.

3. In Named filter, type a name for the filter and click Save New Filter .

   The selection filter name appears in the Named filter list.

To apply saved selection filters:

1. Type SelectionFilter at the command prompt.
2. Do one of the following:
   • On the menu, click Tools > Selection Filter.
   • Type SelectionFilter.
3. In Named filter, select the name of the selection filter to apply.
4. Click OK.
5. Click .
6. Invoke a modification command.
7. In the graphics area, specify the entities to which you want to apply the selection filter.

To delete named selection filters:

• In the Selection Filter dialog box, in Named filter, select a filter to delete and click Delete Filter .

Operators Overview

Relational Operators

Logical Operators

Examples

The following examples show the filter list contents.

Access

Command: SelectionFilter

Menu: Tools > Selection Filter