Object Selection

You can select objects in two modes, full and partial selection. In full selection mode, an entire object is selected. In partial selection mode, you can select entire objects or edges or corners of objects. You can use the F4 key to toggle between selection modes. The selection mode is indicated on the status banner and the status toolbar.

The following table describes the ways of selecting objects in full and partial section modes.

Selection Item	Selection Action
One object	Click the object.
One edge or corner	Press the `F4` key to turn on partial selection and then click the edge or corner of the object.
Fully select a partially selected object	Press the `J` key. If the selected set contains all fully selected objects, pressing `J` extends the selection based on current granularity.
Group of objects	Click and drag to create a selection box around the group.
An additional object	Press `Shift` and click inside the object.
An additional edge or corner	Press `F4` to turn on partial selection. Then, press `Shift` and click the edge or corner of the object.
An additional group	Press `Shift` and click and drag to create a selection box around the objects. Alternatively, press `Shift`+`A`, then create a selection box around the objects.
Group of edges or corners	Press `F4` to turn on partial selection. Then, create a selection box around the edges or corners.
All objects	Press `Ctrl`+`A` or choose View – Select – Select All.
An object located under other objects or cycle through overlapping objects	Select the top object, press `Control`+`Y`. Continue to press `Control`+`Y`, or click until you select the object you want.

Pre-Selection and Post-Selection of Objects

You can select objects either before you start a command (pre-selection mode) or after you start a command (post-selection mode).

If you select an object before starting a command, the resultant objects remain selected after the command completes. In Virtuoso Layout Suite XL and higher tiers, editing commands do not automatically repeat, even if repeat mode is set on. Some editing commands prompt you for a starting point, called the reference point, for the edit.
If you start a command and then select an object, the resultant objects are deselected after the command completes. In Virtuoso Layout Suite XL and higher tiers, editing commands automatically repeat if repeat mode is on, which is the default. Editing commands do not necessarily prompt you for a reference point. If you click to select the first object, the editor uses that point as the reference point.

Deselection of Objects

You deselect objects almost the same way as you select them, except that you press the Ctrl key as you click an object, corner, or edge.

The following table describes the ways in which you can deselect objects.

Item to be Deselected Action

Item to be Deselected	Action
All objects	Use any of the following methods: Click an empty portion of the design Press `Ctrl`+`D` Choose View – Select – Deselect All Right-click and choose Deselect All from the context menu
One or more objects	Press `Ctrl` and click the object. Alternatively, right-click and choose (De)Select Under Cursor from the context menu and select the objects you want to deselect from the submenu.
Group	Press `Ctrl` and click and drag to create a deselection box around the objects.

All objects

Use any of the following methods:

Click an empty portion of the design
Press Ctrl+D
Choose View – Select – Deselect All
Right-click and choose Deselect All from the context menu

One or more objects

Press Ctrl and click the object. Alternatively, right-click and choose (De)Select Under Cursor from the context menu and select the objects you want to deselect from the submenu.

Group

Press Ctrl and click and drag to create a deselection box around the objects.

In Virtuoso Layout Suite XL and higher tiers, the Select command is available on the Edit menu.

Virtuoso Layout Viewer User Guide
Product Version IC23.1, August 2023