Picking Entities on the Screen

After you select the correct data type, you can use the mouse to pick the desired entities in the graphics area of the screen. Each type of entity has a pick handle that allows you to select the entity.

Note:

For more information about picking entities, see Entity Selection.

The following list indicates the pick handle locations for each type of entity:

Nodes	The pick handle for a node is located at the node. To select a node, move the mouse to the location on the screen where the node resides. If you need to select nodes on geometry or on an element where nodes do not currently exist, see Picking Nodes on Geometry or Elements.
Elements	Shell and solid element pick handles are displayed as pixels at the centroid of the element. 1D element pick handles are displayed as letters at the centroid of the elements:
		K M BAR2 BAR3 R RL W RBE3 J ROD GAP	spring masses bar2 bar3 rigid rigid link weld rbe3 joint rod gap
	Click the Display Element Handles icon on the Display toolbar to switch the display of element handles on or off. Element handles can be selected whether or not they are displayed.
Lines	Each segment of a line has pick handles along its length. Each pick handle is displayed as a small "+." If there are many pick handles, a "+" is displayed at only some of the pick handles. Click the Display Element Handles icon on the Display toolbar to switch the display of element handles on or off.
Surfaces	Surfaces do not have pick handles. Surfaces can be selected along their edges or on interior UV lines (also known as surface lines).
Components	Components do not have pick handles. A component can be selected by picking an element, line, or surface within that component.
Systems	The pick handle for a coordinate system is located at the origin of the system.
System Collectors	System collectors do not have pick handles. To select a system collector, simply select a system within that system collector.
Loads	The pick handle for a load is located at the pick handle of the entity to which the load is applied.
Load Collectors	Load collectors do not have pick handles. To select a load collector, simply select a load within that system collector.
Plots	A plot can be selected by picking within its border.
Blocks	Blocks do not have pick handles. Blocks are drawn in shaded mode with transparency and can be selected by picking anywhere on the entity.
Titles	A title can be selected by picking within its bounding box.
Vectors	Vector pick handles are located at the arrow tip of the vector.
Curves	A curve can be selected by clicking anywhere along the curve.

Picking Entities on the Screen

Picking Entities on the Screen

Picking Entities on the Screen

See Also: