You can easily add to your current selection in SketchUp by holding down the Shift key while clicking on additional elements.
Adding to your selection allows you to work with multiple entities (like edges, faces, or groups) simultaneously. This is essential for various modeling tasks, such as moving several objects at once, applying textures to multiple faces, or deleting a collection of items.
Here's how it works, based on standard SketchUp functionality:
Using the Shift Key
The most common and direct way to modify your current selection is by using the Shift key:
- To Add: To include more elements in your current selection set, hold down the Shift key and click additional elements. Each element you click while holding Shift will be added to the group of selected entities.
- To Remove: The Shift key has a dual function. If an element is already selected, holding down the Shift key and clicking on it will remove it from the selection set. This makes it a versatile tool for refining your selection.
In summary:
- Shift + Click an unselected element: Adds the element to the selection.
- Shift + Click a selected element: Removes the element from the selection.
Other Selection Methods (Briefly)
While the Shift key is key for adding to an existing selection, SketchUp offers other ways to make initial selections or select multiple items:
- Click: Selects a single entity (edge, face, group, component).
- Double-Click: Selects a face and all its bounding edges. For groups/components, it opens the context for editing.
- Triple-Click: Selects all connected geometry (all connected edges and faces).
- Drag Selection Box (Left-to-Right): Selects only entities that are entirely enclosed within the selection box (a solid line).
- Drag Selection Box (Right-to-Left): Selects all entities that are crossed by or enclosed within the selection box (a dashed line).
Combining these initial selection methods with the Shift key allows for precise control over which entities are included in your working set.
Understanding the Shift key's behavior is fundamental for efficient modeling in SketchUp.
