Entity selection
Entity selection is perhaps on of the most important and at the same time overlooked process/variable when drawing.
Not only there are multiple associated settings, there are also multiple variants within the command that are often ignored by the users, and only when a behavior is apparently incorrect, these "are reminded" that they exist.
Entity selection - methods
Most users are familiar with the Window selection, and with the Lasso selection. There isn't a "default" selection method set: The access to Lasso selection or window selection only depends if you mouse click and drag the cursor (for Lasso) or mouse single click (for window selection).
To use the lasso selection method, all you have to do is press the left mouse button and move the mouse while holding down the left mouse button.
The "selection window" is activated by a simple mouse click with the left mouse button.
To specify the method for selection windows:
Do one of the following:
Click Tools > Options (or type Options).
Click Application menu > Preferences (or type Options).
In the Options dialog box, click User Preferences .
Type UserPreferences.
Expand Mouse Options > Options.
In Method for selection windows specify the method of using selection windows:
Click and click. Specifies the selection window using two points (consecutive clicks).
Click and drag. Specifies the selection window by click and drag.
Automatic detection. Specifies the selection window using either of the methods above (default).
To specify the Click-Drag and Lasso selection options:
Do one of the following:
Click Tools > Options (or type Options).
Click Application menu > Preferences (or type Options).
In the Options dialog box, click User Preferences .
Type UserPreferences.
Expand Drafting Options > Entity Selection > Selection Settings and set:
Automatic window/cross selection. Creates a selection window when you specify a point outside an entity.
Window/Crossing selection. Enables automatic window and crossing entity selection.
If the option is cleared, automatic window and crossing selection is disabled. This is rarely required, for example if you want to avoid object selection in presentations.
Click and drag on entity. This option is available only if Window/Crossing selection is selected.
If cleared: When you click and the pointer is not directly located above an entity, the selection is initiated.
If selected: Enables automatic window and crossing selection even if the pointer is directly over an entity. Applies only when you use the click and drag method to select entities before you run a command.
Click and drag for Lasso. This option is available only if Window/Crossing selection is selected.
If cleared: Disables entity selection with a lasso.
If selected and Click and drag on entity is cleared: Enables a Lasso selection. If you use the click and drag method and the pointer is not directly located above an entity, the selection is initiated.
If selected and Click and drag on entity is selected: Enables a Lasso selection even if the pointer is directly over an entity. Applies only when you use the click and drag method to select entities before you run a command.
Entity selection - Variables
If you experience a different behavior, it may be that the PICKAUTO or PICKDRAG system variables, or both, have changed:
PICKAUTO
Determines whether you want an automatic entity selection window. The variable specifies selection modes.
bit codes
0 Disables automatic window and intersection selection.
1 Enables automatic window and intersection selection. If you click and the pointer is not directly over an item, the selection is initiated.
2 Enables automatic window and intersection selection even when the pointer is directly over an object. Applies only when you use the click and drag method to select items before executing a command.
4 Activates a lasso selection. If you are using the click and drag method and the pointer is not directly over an item, the selection is initiated.
PICKDRAG
Controls the click-and-drag object selection method:
Consecutive clicks: In the graphics area, specify a point and then the opposite corner for the selection window.
Click and drag: In the graphics area, specify a point and hold down the left mouse button. Then drag and release the mouse button on the other corner of the selection window.
Values
0 Click and click. Specifies the selection window over two points (consecutive clicks).
1 Click and drag. Sets the selection window by clicking and dragging.
2 Automatic detection. Sets the selection window using one of the above methods (default).
Saying this, please check the values set for these variables.
Additional information concerning Selection Settings / Methods can be found in the ARES Commander Help Files.