In this practice, you will learn how to select multiple elements one by one using CTRL + Click and how to use area selection to quickly select multiple elements at once. You will also refine your selection by removing unwanted objects with CTRL + Click. These skills are essential for precise and efficient patent figure editing.

Why You Are Learning This (and Not More)
Visio offers many selection methods, but in 99% of cases, these three methods will be all you need:
  1. Single Click + CTRL Click (precise selection)
  2. Area Selection + CTRL Click (quick selection refinement)
  3. CTRL + A (select everything)

Learning too many selection techniques at once would only slow you down. These three methods will get you working efficiently without unnecessary complexity.

If you ever need advanced selection methods, you can explore them later—but for now, this is all you need to get productive as fast as possible.

💡 Multi-Device Tip: For the best experience, use your primary computer (with Visio and a mouse) for working on the practice file, and a secondary device (tablet, smartphone, laptop, or second monitor) to view step-by-step instructions and demonstration videos.

💡 Note: While a touchpad can be used, we strongly recommend using a mouse for tasks involving patent figures. Unlike word processing or spreadsheets, graphical work requires the precision and efficiency that a mouse provides.

COMPLETION STEPS

1 Setup Workspace

  • 1️⃣ On Your Primary Computer

    • Download the Practice File:
      • Log in to IP DaVinci LMS and download the practice materials:
        ↓ Download Assignment
        • Note: After downloading the zip file, please extract its contents.
          • On Windows: Right-click the file and choose "Extract All..." to unzip the folder.
          • On Mac: Double-click the zip file to automatically extract it.
    • Open the Visio File:
      • Open the provided practice file: MC2C1-Practice-SelectionTechniques.vsdx

  • 2️⃣ On Your Secondary Device (Recommended)

    • Access Detailed Instructions:
      • Use your secondary device to access step-by-step instructions and demonstration videos.

2 Complete Task E1

Follow the steps below as a general guide to complete Task E1. If you have a secondary device, refer to the detailed demonstration videos on it as you perform the tasks on your primary computer.

In this practice, you’ll learn to select and modify multiple elements using Visio’s selection tools. You'll work with CTRL + Click and Area Selection to update red text and lines to black—an essential step for producing clean, professional patent figures.

Your Task:

Practice selecting multiple elements precisely, and changing their color to match standard patent formatting. You'll learn to handle different shape types, avoid selection mistakes, and adjust formatting efficiently.


💡 Watch the Overview video—watch this first for a quick walkthrough

Section 1: Use CTRL + Click to Select Individual Items

🎯 Goal: Select red elements one by one and change them to black.

  1. Click the first red text element.
  2. Hold `CTRL` and click each remaining red text item to add them to the selection.
  3. If you misclick, `CTRL + Click` the item again to deselect it.
  4. With all red text selected, go to Font > Font Color, and change it to black.
  5. Repeat this process for red lines. Be mindful of the shape types and click behavior:
    • Lines (1D) → click directly on the line
    • Shapes with text and fill → click anywhere inside
    • Shapes with no fill or text → click directly on the outline only

💡 Hint: If nothing happens when clicking inside a shape, try clicking the outline instead.

Section 1: Use CTRL + Click to Select Individual Items

  • Preparation: Zoom In
    🎯 Goal: Clearly view both the reference and editable sections.

    • Hover your mouse between the reference diagram (left) and your work area (right).
    • Hold `CTRL` and scroll upward to zoom in until both areas are clearly visible.
  • Step 1: Select and Change Red Text
    🎯 Goal: Change all red text to black using precise CTRL + Click selection.

    • Click the first red text.
    • Hold `CTRL` and click each additional red text item.
    • Deselect any mistake by `CTRL + Clicking` again.
    • With all red text selected, go to Font > Font Color > Black.
  • Step 2: Select and Change Red Lines
    🎯 Goal: Change red lines and outlines to black using CTRL + Click.

    • Click the first red line.
    • Hold `CTRL` and click other red lines or outlined shapes.
    • Use shape behavior rules:
      • 1D lines → click directly on line
      • 2D shapes with no fill → click on outline
      • 2D shapes with fill → click inside
    • Change the color via Shape Style > Line > Black when ready.

Section 2: Use Area Selection and Refine with CTRL

🎯 Goal: Quickly select groups of red elements and clean the selection before formatting.

  1. Select Red Text:
    • Position your mouse near the top-left corner of the red text group.
    • Click and drag diagonally to create a selection box.
    • Release to select all items inside.
  2. Clean the Selection:
    • Use `CTRL + Click` to remove any unwanted black elements.
    • Reselect red items if accidentally removed.
    • Change selected text color to black via Font > Font Color.
  3. Repeat for Red Lines:
    • Use the same area selection method.
    • Adjust the selection using `CTRL + Click`.
    • Change line color using Shape Style > Line > Black.

Section 2: Use Area Selection and Refine with CTRL

  • Step 1: Navigate to Section 2
    🎯 Goal: Move down to Section 2 workspace without disrupting zoom.

    • Use mouse wheel to scroll down, or two-finger swipe if on touchpad.
    • Zoom in further if necessary to see shapes clearly.
  • Step 2: Select and Update Red Text
    🎯 Goal: Use area selection to capture and update all red text.

    • Click and drag a selection box around red text.
    • Hold `CTRL` and click to deselect any non-red elements.
    • When only red text remains, set Font Color to black.
  • Step 3: Select and Update Red Lines
    🎯 Goal: Use area selection to update line colors in one go.

    • Create a selection box around red lines.
    • Use `CTRL + Click` to remove anything non-red.
    • Change selected lines to black using Shape Style.
Final Check & Summary
✅ All red text changed to black
✅ All red lines or outlines changed to black
✅ Unwanted selections avoided using CTRL
✅ Selection tools used with confidence

🚀 Great work! You’ve completed color correction using both single-click and area selection methods.

3 Complete Tasks E2 through En

Tasks E2 through En are designed to reinforce the techniques introduced in Task E1. We encourage you to follow these steps for each task:

  • Step 1: Attempt the task independently:
    • Apply the techniques learned in Task E1.
  • Step 2: Watch the Solution Walkthrough:
    • Once you’ve completed the task, open the corresponding solution walkthrough below to watch our video demonstration.
  • Step 3: Compare your approach to ours and reflect on:
    • What worked well?
    • What could be improved?
    • Any new strategies you might want to try?
🎥 Solution Walkthrough

Use the links below to access the solution walkthrough for each task. Watch how we approached the solution and compare it to your own.

  • 💡 Watch Video: Overview - Watch this video for a quick walkthrough.

  • 💡 Watch Video: Overview - Watch this video for a quick walkthrough.

4 Upload for Assessment

Once you have completed the practice assignment, please upload it here so your teacher can review and grade your work.
↑ Upload for Assessment

Last modified: Thursday, 11 September 2025, 5:17 AM