This topic describes how to work with sub-object selections when you are editing an Editable Mesh.
See also
Edit Modifiers and Editable Objects
In selecting and transforming sub-object geometry, you use standard techniques:
Clicking any vertex, edge, or face/polygon/element selects it.
When working with complex scenes, the Select By Name tool is a good choice for careful selection. For example, to avoid unintentional transforms, you can use Select By Name to make the selection, then switch to Move, Rotate, or Scale once youÆve finished.
Holding down CTRL lets you add to or subtract from the selection with single clicks.
Holding down ALT lets you a subtract from the selection with single clicks, or with Window/Crossing selections.
Beginning a selection outside the object starts a region selection. Holding down CTRL during region selection lets you add to the selection.
Once youÆve made a sub-object selection, you can use the SPACEBAR to lock the selection while youÆre working with it.
With either an editable mesh (or Edit Mesh modifier) or a Mesh Select modifier, you can store three separate sub-object selections: one for each selection level (vertex, face, and edge). These selection sets are saved with the file. With sub-object selections, you have these options:
Choose one of the selection sets to pass geometry up the stack to other modifiers. Only one selection set is active at a time.
Change to one of the other selection sets at any time.
Use named selection sets for sub-object geometry you want to reuse.
In modeling a head, for example, you might have a number of different vertex selections for forehead, nose, and chin. Such selections can be difficult to recreate, so named sets give you easy access to the original selection when you want to rework a particular area.
Using SHIFT-transform with a selection of vertices or faces displays the Clone Part Of Mesh dialog. This lets you determine whether you want to "Clone To Object" or "Clone To Element." Click the desired option, optionally giving the cloned object a new name, then click OK.
If you choose Clone To Object, the cloned copy becomes a plain mesh object, entirely separate from the original object. The new object is given the name in the field to the right of the Clone To Object radio button.
If you choose Clone To Element, the selection is cloned in its new position and remains part of the original object.
When you work with an editable mesh, you can directly transform and animate a sub-object selection. In effect, the selection works like any other object.