Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Select mesh surfaces using various methods, and then classify them into target layers.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
7 min.
Transcript
00:03
Once you set up a classification hierarchy in the Model Browser,
00:07
there are several tools to help you manually select and classify the segmented mesh model.
00:13
Use the selection and classification tools to remove unwanted surfaces from a model prior to exporting
00:21
or create layers and groups to make the model easier to use when exported into BIM workflows.
00:28
When selecting mesh surfaces, you can use options in the Viewing panel to change the selection mode.
00:35
For simple, large surface selection, use Window/Click Selection mode.
00:41
Click an unselected mesh surface to select only that surface.
00:45
This replaces all other current selections.
00:50
Press and hold SHIFT as you click to add that surface to the current selection.
00:56
Hold ALT while clicking a selected surface to deselect it.
01:01
You can also click and drag to draw a selection window.
01:05
This selects any mesh surfaces that fall completely within the window, replacing the current selection.
01:13
Once mesh surfaces are selected, the classification tools become available in the Operations panel.
01:20
From the Target Layer list, select the classification layer for the selected mesh surfaces.
01:26
In this case, select the Ceiling.
01:30
You can also set the target layer in the Model Browser by clicking the Target layer symbol.
01:37
Next, click Classify, or use the hotkey SHIFT+C, to move the selected mesh surfaces into the target classification layer.
01:47
This removes the surfaces from the selection, so you are free to select your next mesh surfaces.
01:54
When you click Classify, the surfaces change color to match the selected target layer,
01:59
because the Classification Rendering mode is currently on.
02:04
Notice that the selected layer is unrelated to the Target Layer,
02:09
which allows you to manage layers without changing the layer you want to work with.
02:14
If you switch off the Ceiling layer, the surfaces in that layer disappear.
02:20
Next, select the floor surfaces.
02:23
If there is no existing floor layer, you can create a new layer called Floor and Classify the selected surfaces into this new layer.
02:33
Note that the floor surfaces are split across two mesh tiles.
02:39
In this case, you can use Merge and Classify, or use the hotkey SHIFT+M,
02:46
to combine all currently selected mesh surfaces into a single mesh object and move this object into the target layer.
02:54
This simplifies future selections, as they will be treated as one piece.
02:59
To remove a selection, click Clear Selection or press ESC.
03:06
Selecting objects individually works well for big surfaces,
03:10
but for more complicated selections, such as a piece of furniture and its associated table and chairs,
03:16
you can use the Window/Click Selection mode to click and drag with the mouse.
03:22
If you miss some surfaces, you can hold SHIFT and drag to add to the selection.
03:29
When cleaning up a selection, you can click Hide Unselected, or use the hotkey SHIFT+H, to toggle the visibility of unselected items.
03:40
You can then remove unwanted selections by holding ALT as you click each item.
03:46
Once the cleanup is finished, add a Target Layer, such as Desk, and then click Merge and Classify to group the objects into one.
03:59
Click Explode, or use the hotkey SHIFT+E, to return a previously merged mesh object to its original set of mesh surfaces.
04:09
The mesh surfaces remain in their current layer and will not move to the target layer.
04:15
You can then Unclassify specific pieces by either clicking Unclassify
04:20
or by using the hotkey SHIFT+U, to return them to the unclassified layers.
04:26
Keep in mind that in this mesh environment, there is only one copy of the data, as displayed in the Model Browser.
04:35
Moving something from the Unclassified section physically moves it into the specified Classified layers.
04:42
You can toggle the views to see either classified or unclassified objects, making it easier to manage your work.
04:51
To select more complicated shapes, you can use Fence Selection mode.
04:56
Click once to start drawing a fence.
04:59
Continue clicking to add nodes to the fence, and then double-click to confirm the selection.
05:06
Mesh surfaces that fall completely within the fence will be selected, replacing the current selection.
05:12
This mode requires you to encompass surfaces completely within your boundary.
05:19
Again, you can hold SHIFT to add surfaces to your fence selection and ALT to remove surfaces.
05:26
Once you are satisfied with your selection, classify and merge the selections into target layers.
05:34
Another way of selecting complex shapes is Triangle Selection mode.
05:40
This mode changes the usual selection tools to select on triangles, rather than entire surfaces, so that the mesh can be split for finer control.
05:50
Once it is turned on, Triangle Selection works in the usual way, in combination with Window/Click or Fence selection.
05:59
Click Triangle Selection again to change back to surface selection.
06:04
If surfaces are incorrectly merged, you can use this mode to isolate and classify problematic areas,
06:11
ensuring a clean and accurate classification process.
06:16
To remove surfaces from the view, select them and then click Delete.
06:23
Deleted surfaces are not removed from the project and can be recovered using the Deleted Surfaces layer in the Model Browser.
06:32
You can load, unload, and rescue deleted surfaces, as needed.
06:38
Saving your project ensures that all changes are retained and removes the undo redo stack,
06:45
which allows you to undo or redo actions like moving surfaces into layers.
Video transcript
00:03
Once you set up a classification hierarchy in the Model Browser,
00:07
there are several tools to help you manually select and classify the segmented mesh model.
00:13
Use the selection and classification tools to remove unwanted surfaces from a model prior to exporting
00:21
or create layers and groups to make the model easier to use when exported into BIM workflows.
00:28
When selecting mesh surfaces, you can use options in the Viewing panel to change the selection mode.
00:35
For simple, large surface selection, use Window/Click Selection mode.
00:41
Click an unselected mesh surface to select only that surface.
00:45
This replaces all other current selections.
00:50
Press and hold SHIFT as you click to add that surface to the current selection.
00:56
Hold ALT while clicking a selected surface to deselect it.
01:01
You can also click and drag to draw a selection window.
01:05
This selects any mesh surfaces that fall completely within the window, replacing the current selection.
01:13
Once mesh surfaces are selected, the classification tools become available in the Operations panel.
01:20
From the Target Layer list, select the classification layer for the selected mesh surfaces.
01:26
In this case, select the Ceiling.
01:30
You can also set the target layer in the Model Browser by clicking the Target layer symbol.
01:37
Next, click Classify, or use the hotkey SHIFT+C, to move the selected mesh surfaces into the target classification layer.
01:47
This removes the surfaces from the selection, so you are free to select your next mesh surfaces.
01:54
When you click Classify, the surfaces change color to match the selected target layer,
01:59
because the Classification Rendering mode is currently on.
02:04
Notice that the selected layer is unrelated to the Target Layer,
02:09
which allows you to manage layers without changing the layer you want to work with.
02:14
If you switch off the Ceiling layer, the surfaces in that layer disappear.
02:20
Next, select the floor surfaces.
02:23
If there is no existing floor layer, you can create a new layer called Floor and Classify the selected surfaces into this new layer.
02:33
Note that the floor surfaces are split across two mesh tiles.
02:39
In this case, you can use Merge and Classify, or use the hotkey SHIFT+M,
02:46
to combine all currently selected mesh surfaces into a single mesh object and move this object into the target layer.
02:54
This simplifies future selections, as they will be treated as one piece.
02:59
To remove a selection, click Clear Selection or press ESC.
03:06
Selecting objects individually works well for big surfaces,
03:10
but for more complicated selections, such as a piece of furniture and its associated table and chairs,
03:16
you can use the Window/Click Selection mode to click and drag with the mouse.
03:22
If you miss some surfaces, you can hold SHIFT and drag to add to the selection.
03:29
When cleaning up a selection, you can click Hide Unselected, or use the hotkey SHIFT+H, to toggle the visibility of unselected items.
03:40
You can then remove unwanted selections by holding ALT as you click each item.
03:46
Once the cleanup is finished, add a Target Layer, such as Desk, and then click Merge and Classify to group the objects into one.
03:59
Click Explode, or use the hotkey SHIFT+E, to return a previously merged mesh object to its original set of mesh surfaces.
04:09
The mesh surfaces remain in their current layer and will not move to the target layer.
04:15
You can then Unclassify specific pieces by either clicking Unclassify
04:20
or by using the hotkey SHIFT+U, to return them to the unclassified layers.
04:26
Keep in mind that in this mesh environment, there is only one copy of the data, as displayed in the Model Browser.
04:35
Moving something from the Unclassified section physically moves it into the specified Classified layers.
04:42
You can toggle the views to see either classified or unclassified objects, making it easier to manage your work.
04:51
To select more complicated shapes, you can use Fence Selection mode.
04:56
Click once to start drawing a fence.
04:59
Continue clicking to add nodes to the fence, and then double-click to confirm the selection.
05:06
Mesh surfaces that fall completely within the fence will be selected, replacing the current selection.
05:12
This mode requires you to encompass surfaces completely within your boundary.
05:19
Again, you can hold SHIFT to add surfaces to your fence selection and ALT to remove surfaces.
05:26
Once you are satisfied with your selection, classify and merge the selections into target layers.
05:34
Another way of selecting complex shapes is Triangle Selection mode.
05:40
This mode changes the usual selection tools to select on triangles, rather than entire surfaces, so that the mesh can be split for finer control.
05:50
Once it is turned on, Triangle Selection works in the usual way, in combination with Window/Click or Fence selection.
05:59
Click Triangle Selection again to change back to surface selection.
06:04
If surfaces are incorrectly merged, you can use this mode to isolate and classify problematic areas,
06:11
ensuring a clean and accurate classification process.
06:16
To remove surfaces from the view, select them and then click Delete.
06:23
Deleted surfaces are not removed from the project and can be recovered using the Deleted Surfaces layer in the Model Browser.
06:32
You can load, unload, and rescue deleted surfaces, as needed.
06:38
Saving your project ensures that all changes are retained and removes the undo redo stack,
06:45
which allows you to undo or redo actions like moving surfaces into layers.
How to buy
Privacy | Do not sell or share my personal information | Cookie preferences | Report noncompliance | Terms of use | Legal | © 2025 Autodesk Inc. All rights reserved
Sign in for the best experience
Save your progress
Get access to courses
Receive personalized recommendations
May we collect and use your data?
Learn more about the Third Party Services we use and our Privacy Statement. May we collect and use your data to tailor your experience?
Explore the benefits of a customized experience by managing your privacy settings for this site or visit our Privacy Statement to learn more about your options.