[Blender] What to do when you can’t select an object or it doesn’t turn orange

2024-10-14 / Blender, Uncategorized
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The other day, when I opened a blend file called MECH/FY that automatically generates mechanical details and tried to edit it, the following problem occurred and I panicked.

Problem

・When I try to open the blend file I picked up and edit it, something goes wrong.
・[Object mode] Even if an object is selected, it is not surrounded by orange.
・[Edit mode] Even if you select an object [vertex, edge, face], it cannot be selected.

After trying various things, I was able to make the object turn orange when selected.

The cause is the modifier.

This time, I will show you how to make objects turn orange when selected in Blender 2.8 2.9 as before.

Problem: “It doesn’t turn orange, I can’t select it”

Object mode does not turn orange Edit mode Can't choose
Problem 1: Object mode Problem 2: Edit mode

Problem 1

[Object mode]
When I select an object, it should be displayed in an orange frame, but it doesn’t turn orange.

Problem 2

[Edit mode]
You cannot select [vertices, edges, faces] by clicking on the object.

Corrective steps

This will be explained using MECH/FY as an example.

1. Copy and paste into new blend file

Copy the non-orange objects and paste them into a new blend file.
(I think a blend file that can be selected in orange will work.)
Now, when you select an object in [Object mode], an orange frame will appear. (from my experience)
However, in this state, the [edit mode] object cannot be selected.

Object becomes orange Edit mode Cannot select object
Object mode Edit mode

2. Reduce the number of modifiers. (apply, delete)

If a certain modifier is applied, it is not possible to select [vertices, edges, faces] in [edit mode]. (Apparently)

By reducing the number of modifiers, you can select [vertices, edges, faces].

Before reducing the number of modifiers After reducing the number of modifiers
[Edit mode] Before reducing the number of modifiers [Edit mode] After reducing the number of modifiers
  • Subdivision
  • Skin
  • Solidify
  • Remesh
  • EdgeSplit
  • Bevel
  • Decimate
  • Displace
  • Mirror

From the above,

When adding a shape deformation modifier to an object
When you select an object in [Edit mode], you are selecting the part where the modifier is working.
Reducing the number of modifiers to 0 caused Mirror to not be able to select objects in Edit Mode.

Suggestion of countermeasures

  • Try reducing the number of modifiers
    • Reduce addon-specific modifiers
  • Check the modifier display mode
  • Blender Preference Settings → Don’t change anything
  • View settings → don’t change anything
  • Object unlock

Problem: “Object’s origin (pivot point) cannot be moved”

In that case,
[Blender] What to do when the origin (pivot point) cannot be moved
Try it.

【Blender】原点(ピボットポイント)が移動できない時の対処法

Operating Environment

Lastly

Sometimes when I open a blend file with a deck built that I picked up on the internet, I see this.

Reference