In this paper we describe object selection techniques and metaphors for virtual environments (VEs). By combining and extending known techniques, we introduce an improved virtual pointer metaphor which enhances interactive object selection. The extension of the virtual pointer metaphor is based on a bendable ray, which is visualized by a quadratic beziér curve. While a straight ray visualizes the direction of the virtual pointer, the bendable ray points to the closest selectable object. Strategies for determining this object are discussed and compared. (Frank Steinicke, Timo Ropinski and Klaus Hinrichs)