Introduction
If you spend a lot of time moving props around manually, the Select and Place tool can save you a surprising amount of time.
It lets you drag objects directly onto surfaces while automatically adjusting their position and orientation.
For archviz scenes filled with furniture, accessories, and decorations, this can make object placement much faster.
Tip: This tool is especially useful when populating kitchens, bathrooms, shelves, and decorative props.
Where to Find the Select and Place Tool
You can access the tool in two places:
- From the main toolbar next to the Scale tool.
- From the right-click menu under Placement.
One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t need to pre-select an object.
Simply click and drag the object to start placing it.
How Select and Place Works
As you drag an object over a surface, two things happen automatically.
Position
- The object snaps to the surface.
Rotation
- The object rotates to match the angle of the surface.
What Controls the Behavior
Two things determine the final result:
- The object’s pivot.
- The surface normal.
Understanding the Pivot
The pivot acts as the contact point during placement.
Whatever position the pivot occupies is the part that touches the surface.
Examples
Pivot at the Bottom
Advantages
- Objects sit naturally on the surface.
- Ideal for furniture and decorative props.
Pivot in the Center
Common Problem
- Half of the object can sink into the geometry.
- Placement may look incorrect.
Good to know: The Select and Place tool always uses the pivot position unless another option overrides it.
Surface Normals Affect Rotation
Object orientation depends on the surface normal.
If a polygon has flipped normals, the object will rotate according to that direction.
Unexpected rotations are often caused by incorrect normals rather than problems with the tool itself.
Important: If objects rotate strangely, check the normals of the surface first.
Using Base as Pivot
Right-click the Select and Place icon to access its settings.
One of the most useful options is Use Base as Pivot.
Benefits
- Objects sit correctly on surfaces.
- The original pivot location becomes less important.
- Objects no longer sink into geometry.
This option is especially helpful when importing models whose pivots are located in the center.
Tip: If objects are partially inside the surface, enable Use Base as Pivot.
Object Up Axis
Another setting available is Object Up Axis.
For most situations, leaving it set to +Z is the best option.
Why Keep It at +Z?
- Keeps objects upright.
- Produces predictable placement.
- Works correctly with most archviz assets.
There is usually no need to change this unless your assets use a different orientation.
Building Scenes Faster
The Select and Place tool becomes even more useful when populating a scene.
Instead of positioning every object manually, you can quickly drag props onto:
- Countertops
- Tables
- Shelves
- Floors
- Cabinets
Typical Uses
- Kitchen accessories
- Bathroom props
- Decorative objects
- Furniture
- Shelving items
This speeds up scene creation considerably and makes asset placement much more enjoyable.
Useful Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Shift + Drag | Create a copy while placing |
Ctrl | Move the object up and down |
Alt | Prevent automatic rotation |
These shortcuts may seem small, but they can save a lot of time when working with large scenes.
Summary
Select and Place Automatically Handles
- Surface snapping.
- Object orientation.
- Placement on angled surfaces.
Most Common Problems
- Incorrect pivot position.
- Flipped normals.
- Objects sinking into surfaces.
Recommended Settings
- Enable Use Base as Pivot.
- Leave Object Up Axis set to +Z.
Conclusion
The Select and Place tool is one of those simple features that can dramatically improve your workflow.
Once you get comfortable using it, placing furniture, accessories, and props becomes much faster and requires far less manual adjustment.
It is a small tool, but one that can save a surprising amount of time in everyday archviz work.
