9

Mostactionsin3dsMaxareperformedonselected
objects in your scene. You must select an object in
a viewport before you can apply a command. As a
result, the act of selection is an essential part of the
modeling and animation process.
This section presents t he selection tools available
in 3ds Max. Besides the basic techniques of
selecting single and multiple objects using mouse
and keyboard, these topics cover the use of named
selection sets and other features that help you
manage object selection, such as hiding and
freezing objects and layers. Also included is an
introduction to sub-object selec tion, essential to
working with an object’s underlying geometry.
Lastly, a technique for grouping objects is
presented. Grouping lets you create more
permanent selections that have many of the
characteristics of independent objects.
This section presents the following topics:
Intr oducing Object Selection (page 1–61)
Basics of Selecting Objects (page 1–64)
Selecting by Region (page 1–65)
Using Select By Name (page 1–67)
Using Named Selection Sets (page 1–67)
Using Selection Filters (page 1–68)
Selecting with Track View (page 1–69)
Selecting with Schematic View (page 1–69)
Freezing and Unfreezing Objects (page 1–70)
Hiding and Unhiding Objects by Selection (page
1–70)
Hiding and Unhiding Objects by Categor y (page
1–72)
Isolate Selection (page 1–73)
Introduction to Sub-Object Selection (page 1–74)
Using Assemblies (page 1–98)
Using Groups (page 1–96)
Int rod ucing Obj ect S electi on
3ds Max is an object-oriented program. This
means that each object in the 3D scene c arries
instructions that tell the program what you can
do with it. These instr uctions vary with the type
of object.
Because each object can respond to a different
set of commands, you apply commands by
first selecting the object and then selecting the
command.Thisisknownasanoun-verbinterface,
because you first select the object (the nou n) and
then select the command (the verb).
Selecting Objects