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Selecting Multiple Faces (Ctrl + LMB)

Question asked by Dean Baragar on Jul 26, 2011
Latest reply on Aug 8, 2011 by Dean Baragar

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I've ran across this problem a few times and it happens to be a little problem that can become very frusterating:

I prefer to mate by selecting two to four faces at a time (using ctrl + left mouse button) and then selecting mate by using the hotkey (ctrl + spacebar) I have set up. This makes mating very quick but every once in a while SW will refuse to let me select more than one face at a time.

Any input as to why this may be happening would be appreciated; I would imagine it is a simple fix but not one I've been able to figure out!

Keith Parker Aug 3, 2011 7:01 AM

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Hi Dean. When the mate function de-selects faces, is one of the faces a Toolbox part? I only ask because this is what happens when I select faces of Toolbox parts (screws, bolts, etc) before starting the mate command.

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Dan Riffell Jul 26, 2011 9:10 AM
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I've never had a problem using the SHIFT-select method.
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Scott McFadden Jul 26, 2011 9:17 AM
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Dean,
What SW version and service pack are you running?
Have you tried just restarting Solidworks?
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- Dean Baragar @ Scott McFadden on Aug 2, 2011 6:51 PM
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  Scott,
  
  I'm using SW 2011, SP2.0.
  
  Yes, I have tried restarting...and it seems to be assembly specific; I will open up a model and start working and remember "Hey, this model was doing this last time".
  
  Another interesting point is if I am able to select 2 faces at a time, on some occassions selecting the mate function will deselect the faces, leaving me back at step one.
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  - Wayne Tiffany @ Dean Baragar on Aug 2, 2011 6:58 PM
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    Any chance that's a SpeedPak assy?
    
    WT
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  - Scott McFadden @ Dean Baragar on Aug 3, 2011 6:53 AM
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    Dean,
    I do what you are discribing all the time and haven't seen this behavior.
    In fact been doing it over several versions. Have you checked your mouse settings
    to see if they are setup correctly?
    Can I assume this is happening on more then one assembly?
    Are you running a 64 bit machine?
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  - Keith Parker @ Dean Baragar on Aug 3, 2011 7:01 AM
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    Hi Dean. When the mate function de-selects faces, is one of the faces a Toolbox part? I only ask because this is what happens when I select faces of Toolbox parts (screws, bolts, etc) before starting the mate command.
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    - Dean Baragar @ Keith Parker on Aug 3, 2011 3:03 PM
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      This method I use, usually works, but on certain assemblies it does not. The assembly I am currently dealing with does have Toolbox parts and it is de-selecting faces. I will have to pay closer attention in the future! Any ideas, if this is the case, why this may happen?
      
      I am running a 64 bit machine. I never SpeedPak anything, and as far as the mouse goes, I am not sure what I would need to be concerned with as far as settings go.
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      - Scott McFadden @ Dean Baragar on Aug 3, 2011 3:11 PM
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        As far as the mouse I would have to wonder if the buttons for selecting are set properly
        and if it has the latest drivers.
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        Dean Baragar @ Scott McFadden on Aug 3, 2011 4:09 PM
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        My mouse settings are very limited (things such as inverting the buttons, visibility, speed ect.). Either way, the face selection works fine. but after I have two faces selected for mating I use ctrl+space bar to perform the equivalent of pressing the mate button which would in most cases, take those two faces I had selected and mate them together with whichever mate mates sense. This method works particulary well to perform width mates as I can select four faces and mate them together which it automatically recognizes as a width mate and eliminates many unnessesary mouse clicks.
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        Kelvin Lamport @ Dean Baragar on Aug 3, 2011 9:41 PM
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        Check to make sure the Tools > Options > System Options > External References --- Allow multiple contexts for parts when editing in assembly is selected.
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        Wayne Tiffany @ Kelvin Lamport on Aug 4, 2011 8:41 AM
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        But do that with the understanding that you may very well create circular references that will cause more problems. Turning it on though may show that what you are seeing is caused by external refs.
        
        WT
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        Dean Baragar @ Wayne Tiffany on Aug 8, 2011 10:16 AM
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        I've never had the multiple contexts option turned on but I will try that next time I run into this issue.
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Selecting Multiple Faces (Ctrl + LMB)

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