In the Nesting editor, you have three ways to select a part or set of parts. For example, you want to select the three shapes in the diagram. This section will demonstrate the three methods.
Direct selection
You can select one or more parts by directly clicking on them. To add parts to a selection, click and hold the control (or Ctrl) key and click the part at the same time (otherwise known as Ctrl-Click).
To select more, Ctrl-Click the next part. Notice the handles change appearance and the Array handle disappears; these are the Group Selection Handles.
To deselect a part, Ctrl-Click the part again.
Holding down Shift instead of Ctrl has a similar effect, but it will only add parts to the selection, ie Shift-clicking on a part already selected will leave it selected.
Enclosing rectangle
An enclosing rectangle selects every part completing contained in the rectangle. Every other partial shape remains unselected.
To draw an enclosing rectangle, draw from left to right. In the diagram, the right three shapes have been selected.
Crossing rectangle
A crossing rectangle selects all shapes contained or crossing the rectangle. A shape has only to be partially contained to be selected.
To draw a crossing rectangle, draw a box from right to left. In the diagram, the right three shapes have been selected.
The SHIFT or CTRL keys may be held down when dragging an enclosing or crossing selection rectangle, to add or toggle the selection status of several parts in one operation. Try it!