Hi !
Indeed, it should be a very pleasant option !
Nevertheless, Gradual Selection should be possible with Python Scripting ! As it's quite basic tool, I guess only a couple of lines may do what you want. Then you would be able to include this small script into your batch.
I've never had the time to spend to use Python Scripting. But so powerful it looks, such problem should be easily solve with a 3-lines-script !
May Alexey give use the command to be used ?
Regards