--- title: Selection Tools in LightBurn description: Learn how to use selection tools in LightBurn, including click selection, box selection, selection modifiers, and advanced options for grouping and troubleshooting. --- [Skip to content](https://support.salasers.com/selection-tools-lightburn#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Submit a Ticket](https://support.salasers.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![MicrosoftTeams-image.png\]](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/MicrosoftTeams-image.png?height=50&name=MicrosoftTeams-image.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Submit a Ticket](https://support.salasers.com/kb-tickets/new) - Go to salasers.com Go to salasers.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [SA Laser Knowledge Base](https://support.salasers.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Tools & Features](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en) 3. [Essential Functions](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en#essential-functions) # Selection Tools in LightBurn ## A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting and Modifying Graphics In LightBurn, selecting objects is a prerequisite for modifying or transforming them. While the **Select Tool** is the primary method, LightBurn offers additional options for selecting objects based on type, size, layer, and other criteria. --- ### Making Selections #### **Default Select Tool** - The Select Tool is active by default. - To reactivate it, click the cursor icon in the **Tools Toolbar** or press **Esc**. ![Ref-Selection-SelectInToolsToolbar](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-SelectInToolsToolbar.png?width=522&height=51&name=Ref-Selection-SelectInToolsToolbar.png) --- #### **Click Selection** - Click any object in the Workspace to select it. - Adjust the distance required for selection by modifying the **Click-Selection Tolerance** in the **Settings/Preferences** menu. ![Ref-Selection-ClickSelection](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-ClickSelection.gif?width=688&height=387&name=Ref-Selection-ClickSelection.gif) --- #### **Box Selection** LightBurn provides two types of box selection: - **Enclosing Selection**: Drag to the right to create a red box. Selects all objects fully contained within the box. ![Ref-Selection-EnclosingSelection](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-EnclosingSelection.gif?width=688&height=387&name=Ref-Selection-EnclosingSelection.gif) - **Crossing Selection**: Drag to the left to create a green box. Selects all objects crossed by or fully contained within the box. ![Ref-Selection-CrossingSelection](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-CrossingSelection.gif?width=688&height=387&name=Ref-Selection-CrossingSelection.gif) --- ### Selection Modifiers Enhance your selection process with these key combinations: - **Shift**: Add objects to the current selection. - **Ctrl/Cmd**: Toggle selection status (select or deselect objects). - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift**: Remove objects from the current selection. Additional shortcuts: - **Esc**: Deselect all objects. - **Tab**: Cycle through objects sequentially in the Workspace. - **Shift + Tab**: Cycle through objects in reverse order. --- ### Selection Indicators - Selected objects are outlined with an animated dashed line. ![Ref-Selection-UngroupedSelection](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-UngroupedSelection.png?width=688&height=533&name=Ref-Selection-UngroupedSelection.png) - Grouped objects display a dot-dot-dash pattern. ![Ref-Selection-GroupedSelection](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-GroupedSelection.png?width=688&height=533&name=Ref-Selection-GroupedSelection.png) Once selected, objects can be: - Transformed using control handles for resizing, rotating, skewing, or moving. - Modified via the **Numeric Edits Toolbar** for precise adjustments. - Edited with object-specific tools such as **Text Options** or **Shape Properties**. --- ### Additional Selection Tools Explore advanced selection options in the **Edit Menu**: - **Select All** (**Ctrl/Cmd + A**): Select all objects in your project. - **Invert Selection** (**Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + I**): Deselect selected objects and select unselected ones. - **Select Open Shapes**: Selects shapes that do not form closed loops. - **Select Open Shapes Set to Fill**: Identifies open shapes assigned to layers in **Fill Mode**. - **Select All Shapes in Current Layer**: Selects all objects in the active layer. - *Shortcut*: Hold **Shift** and click the layer in the **Cuts/Layers Window**. - **Select Contained Shapes**: Selects objects fully contained within a closed shape. - **Select Shapes Smaller Than Selected**: Finds shapes smaller than the currently selected object. ![Ref-Selection-AdditionalSelectionOptions](https://support.salasers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ref-Selection-AdditionalSelectionOptions.png?width=326&height=622&name=Ref-Selection-AdditionalSelectionOptions.png) --- ### Troubleshooting Selection Issues #### **Grouped Objects** Grouped objects behave as a single entity during selection. Some exceptions: - **Select Contained Shapes**: Does not select shapes within groups. - **Select Shapes Smaller Than Selected**: Grouped objects are selected but removed from their group. - **Select Open Shapes**: Grouped open shapes are selected and ungrouped. --- #### **Overlapping Geometry** If objects flash unexpectedly when selected, overlapping geometry may be the issue. - Use **Edit → Delete Duplicates (Alt + D)** to remove duplicates. - Ungroup objects (**Ctrl/Cmd + U**) and manually delete unwanted shapes. ---   - [Lightburn](https://support.salasers.com/lightburn?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Lightburn For Galvo (Fiber)](https://support.salasers.com/lightburn?hsLang=en#lightburn-for-galvo-fiber) - [Lightburn For Gantry (Co2,RF)](https://support.salasers.com/lightburn?hsLang=en#lightburn-for-gantry-co2rf) - [Fiber (Galvo) Lasers](https://support.salasers.com/fiber-galvo-lasers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.salasers.com/fiber-galvo-lasers?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Co2 Lasers](https://support.salasers.com/co2-lasers?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Razor Series](https://support.salasers.com/co2-lasers?hsLang=en#razor-series) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.salasers.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en) - [EzCad 2](https://support.salasers.com/ezcad-2?hsLang=en) - [How-To Guides](https://support.salasers.com/how-to-guides?hsLang=en) - [Explainers](https://support.salasers.com/explainers?hsLang=en) - [Tools & Features](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en#main-content) - [User Interface](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en#user-interface) - [Essential Functions](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en#essential-functions) - [Layout and Design](https://support.salasers.com/tools-features?hsLang=en#layout-and-design) # San Antonio Laser SALasers.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, San Antonio Laser