Here's how you can select vertices inside a selection in Blender, covering common scenarios including the technique mentioned in your reference:
Selecting vertices in Blender often depends on your current objective: are you trying to select vertices that are part of an already selected face or edge group, or are you selecting vertices directly alongside other element types?
Understanding Vertex Selection Modes
In Blender's Edit Mode, you can choose to work with vertices, edges, or faces. You switch between these modes using the icons in the header or by pressing 1, 2, or 3 on your keyboard (not the Numpad). To select vertices, you typically need to be in Vertex Select Mode (1).
Method 1: Selecting Vertices from Existing Selections (Conversion)
A frequent interpretation of "selecting vertices inside a selection" is converting a selection of faces or edges into a selection of vertices that make up those elements.
You can do this efficiently:
- Be in Edit Mode (Tab).
- Ensure you have faces or edges selected.
- Convert the selection:
- Press Ctrl + Tab and choose Vertex from the pie menu.
- Alternatively, use the selection mode icons. While holding Alt, click on the Vertex Select icon. This converts your current selection of edges or faces into their constituent vertices.
This method is ideal when you've selected geometry using faces or edges and now need to manipulate the vertices that form that geometry.
Method 2: Selecting Vertices Directly with Selection Tools
If you simply want to select vertices within a specific area or based on a pattern, you use standard selection tools in Vertex Select Mode.
- Be in Edit Mode (Tab) and switch to Vertex Select Mode (1).
- Use a selection tool:
- Box Select (B): Draw a rectangle to select vertices within it.
- Circle Select (C): Paint over vertices to select them.
- Lasso Select (Ctrl + Left Click + Drag): Draw a freeform shape to select vertices.
- Standard Left Click: Click individual vertices to select them. Use Shift + Left Click to add to or remove from the selection.
Method 3: Selecting Vertices with Multiple Selection Modes Active
Blender allows you to have Vertex, Edge, and Face selection modes active simultaneously. This is incredibly useful for quickly selecting any element type without constantly switching modes. This technique directly incorporates information from your reference.
According to the reference:
- By holding Shift-LMB when selecting a selection mode, you can enable multiple Selection Modes at once. This allows you to quickly select Vertices/Edges/Faces, without first having to switch modes.
Here's how to use this for selecting vertices:
- Be in Edit Mode (Tab).
- Enable Multiple Modes: Hold down Shift and Left-Click on the Vertex Select, Edge Select, and Face Select icons in the header. All three should appear highlighted.
- Select Vertices Directly: Now, you can simply use your standard selection tools (Left Click, Box Select B, etc.) to select vertices. Even though Edge and Face modes are also active, clicking near a vertex will select the vertex. Clicking on an edge will select the edge, and clicking inside a face will select the face.
This method provides the flexibility to select vertices inside a general workflow where you might be selecting different element types in quick succession.
Here's a quick summary of the main methods:
| Method | Description | Key Action | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Existing Selection (Convert) | Convert a selection of faces/edges to its vertices. | Alt + Click Vertex Icon OR Ctrl + Tab > Vertex | Need vertices of already selected geometry. |
| Direct Selection (Vertex Mode) | Select vertices using standard tools in Vertex Mode. | Switch to Vertex Mode (1), then use B, C, Left Click | Selecting vertices within an area or individually. |
| With Multiple Selection Modes | Select vertices directly while Edge and Face modes are also active. | Hold Shift + LMB on Vertex, Edge, Face Icons | Rapidly selecting different element types. |
Utilizing these methods will allow you to effectively select vertices depending on whether you are converting an existing selection or selecting vertices directly within your editing process. The Shift-LMB method with multiple selection modes is particularly powerful for fluid modeling workflows.
