How Object Selection Works in Foxel

This tutorial explains one of the most important beginner concepts in Foxel.

A scene can contain more than one object, but only one object is active at a time. The active object is the object that receives your edits.

If you understand how selection works, the rest of the early workflow becomes much easier.

Why This Matters

A lot of beginner confusion comes from treating the scene like one big editable thing.

In Foxel, a Voxel Scene can contain multiple objects, and only one of them is active at a time.

When something behaves unexpectedly, the first thing to check is usually the active object.

A Scene Can Contain Multiple Objects

Inside a Voxel Scene, you are not limited to one object.

A scene can contain different objects, such as voxel layers, references, groups, helpers, and other scene content.

That means you need to know which object you are currently working with.

One Object Is Active

Only one object is the active object.

The active object is the object that receives your edits.

If you try to edit the wrong thing, or an action seems to affect the wrong part of the scene, check which object is active.

For example, if a Voxel Layer is active, voxel editing tools affect that Voxel Layer. If another object is active, those same edits may not apply the way you expect.

You Can Select Objects In Different Ways

Foxel supports several ways to select an object.

Use the method that fits the way you are currently working.

Select In The Hierarchy

You can select an object from the Hierarchy.

This is the most explicit method because you can see exactly which object you are choosing.

Use this when you want to be certain which object becomes active.

Select With a Transform Tool

You can also select an object directly in the viewport with one of the transform tools: Move, Rotate, or Scale.

This is useful when you want to work visually in the scene instead of selecting from the Hierarchy first.

Use this when the object is easy to identify in the Scene View.

Select With A Voxel Tool Using Ctrl+Click

When a voxel tool is active, you can use Ctrl+Click to select an object.

This is useful when you are already working with voxel tools and want to switch the active object directly in the viewport.

It lets you stay in the modeling workflow without returning to the Hierarchy every time.

Check The Active Object First

If an edit does not affect what you expected, check the active object before assuming the tool is wrong.

Common signs that the wrong object may be active include:

• A tool does not edit the object you expected.
• The Inspector shows properties for a different object.
• Voxel edits do not appear where you expected.
• A command affects another part of the scene.

Selection is a small step, but it controls where most edits go.

What To Remember

• A scene can contain multiple objects.
• Only one object is active at a time.
• The active object is the object that receives your edits.
• You can select objects through the Hierarchy.
• You can select objects with a transform tool.
• You can select objects with a voxel tool by using Ctrl+Click.
• If something behaves unexpectedly, check the active object first.