The Parts and Whole: DR Selection Sets
by Geep 2022
Introduction
A "Selections Set" is a set of objects given a temporary name. A list of such Selection Sets lets you re-select or unselect a particular one. This technique may assist with complex one-time editing tasks that don’t need the permanence or more sophisticated control of Groups or Layers.
How to Use
At the rightmost side of the top DR toolbar, the "Selection Set" input box is empty at the start of a DR session. Mouse-over this box for a tool tip. Features are:
- Creating a Set. Select some map objects, then type in a name for that selection.
- Re-Selecting a Set. From the Selection Set pulldown menu, find the name, and click to reselect that set of objects (which will add to anything already selected).
- Un-Selecting a Set. If you hold down the Shift key while opening the pulldown and choosing a name, it will unselect that set of objects.
- Forgetting All Sets. The X to the right of the pulldown clears all names from the menu. It only deletes the Selection Sets, without affecting the current selection or existence of objects.
Selection Set information is not saved between DR sessions, or if switching map files within a session. It is not recorded in your <FM>.darkradiant file.
See also Greebo’s announcement of this feature in DR 1.4.0.
Limitations
- Can an individual selection set name be deleted or directly edited? No.
- Can an individual Item within a selection set be added or deleted? No, you have to create a new set.
Custom DR Scripting of Selection Sets
If you need special functionality, DR offers Python scripting, and in particular for Selection Sets exposes a GlobalSelectionSetManager (including SelectionSet) API with about a dozen function calls. See the DarkRadiant Script Reference.
