When box-selecting multiple items in SolidWorks, how should the box be dragged to include only completely enclosed items?

To include only completely enclosed items when box-selecting in SolidWorks, you should drag the selection box from left to right. This method is known as a "window selection" and ensures that only the items that fall within the entirety of the selection box are selected.

When you drag the box from left to right, SolidWorks recognizes that you want to select all items that are completely within the confines of the drawn selection rectangle. Items that are only partially within the box will not be included in the selection, which helps maintain precision when selecting specific components or features in crowded areas of the design workspace.

Dragging the selection box in any other direction, such as right to left or using a circular motion, may not achieve the same effect. Right to left selection, for instance, will include any item that is partially within the selection box, leading to unintended selections. Therefore, using the left-to-right technique is essential to ensure the selection is confined to only those items fully contained within the designated area.