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Installation & Builds
Blender Launcher
Blender can be downloaded from the main page, linked to the right.
Another option is to use Blender Launcher, which can help manage multiple Blender releases and builds.
User Settings
When a new version of Blender is first opened, the splash screen includes an option to Copy Previous Settings if previous Blender user settings are intended to be transferred to the newly installed version.
File Management
Open File & UI
By default, opening an existing file will do so with the UI in which the file was saved. To simply load the assets from an existing file without its UI, disable Load UI.
Link & Append Blender Files
Linking a Blender file is referencing it into the existing session, whereas appending a Blender file imports the contents into the current session.
Default Startup Configuration
Configure workspace and navigate to File > Defaults > Save Startup File. This will initialize each new project file with specified default settings.
Workspace Management
Custom Preferences
Settings
Start Shortcut VUr add-on.
Sculpting Brushes
- Clay Strips: Set
Tip Roundnessto0.75. - Smooth: Set
Strengthto0.3.
User Interface
Configure, Swap & Join Areas
Drag from top right corner of area to spawn new areas. RMB over separators to access area management options, including swapping areas and joining areas. Areas are joined by specifying the area to be absorbed by the opposite area.
Display Scene Statistics
Display statistics (image to left) in Scene View by enabling Overlays (icon) > Statistics. These can also be made available for display in the Status Bar at the bottom right corner of the Blender session (image below). Through the Status Bar, other information can also be displayed, including System Memory, Video Memory, and Blender Version. These Status Bar options are available under Preferences > Interface > Editors > Status Bar.
Configure Shortcuts
Access Edit > Preferences > Keymap and search by Name to select operation and shortcut configuration.
Another option is to RMB over a specific tool in its menu and select Assign Shortcut. Within the field, enter the intended shortcut.
Built-In Add-ons
Access Edit > Preferences > Add-ons. The following built-in add-ons have been enabled:
3D Viewport Pie MenusEdit Delete Pie(X)Origin Pie(CTRL+ALT+X)Save Open Pie(CTRL+S)Node Wrangler
Of the available options in this add-on, the following pie menus are enabled:
Custom Add-ons
Access Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install... and navigate to .zip file of add-on.
Save Preferences
By default, the hamburger menu at the bottom left corner of the Preferences dialog is set to Auto Save Preferences, but it can be disabled so that the Save Preferences button is visible and manually initiated.
Package File
File > External Data > Pack All Into .blend
This file packaging option encapsulates all of the relevant data into the .blend file, including textures and other referenced data. Note that this can lead to very heavy file sizes. But it can be very valuable as a complete deliverable.
Persistent Orthographic Views
Disable Preferences > Navigation > Auto Perspective to keep all views in orthographic mode, as well as when transitioning between views. This keeps all views persistently as orthographic without automatically converting back to perspective when transitioning to another view.
Scene Management
Outliner
Collections
- Collections are not groups; they do not represent a hierarchy of the scene.
- Objects can be linked to multiple collections (
SHIFT+M).
Outliner Restriction Toggles
Under Filter, enable Selectable and Display in Renders; save to startup file (File > Defaults > Save Startup File).
Parenting Objects
- Parent Objects
- Select object/s to be parented first, followed by object to serve as parent last.
CTRL+Pto parent.- Specify type of parent and transform relationship.
- Un-Parent Objects
- Select object/s to be unparented.
ALT+Pto clear parent.- Specify type of un-parenting and transform relationship.
Groups
- Group Objects
- Objects are grouped using empty objects as parents. Typically these are
Plain Axes(SHIFT+A>Empty>Plain Axes). - Ungroup Objects
Outliner>RMB>Unlink.
The Machin3Tools addon provides a quick and efficient tool for grouping selections (CTRL + G) in the Object context.
Collections
In Object mode, select objects to be assigned to a collection and create collection (M).
Objects & Object Data Structures
Object
- This the 'container' for the data and represented by the yellow/orange icon in the Outliner hierarchy.
Object Data
- This is the data contained within each object, including meshes, camera, light, etc.
- It is represented by the green icon in the Outliner hierarchy.
Each object and datum within each data has its own transforms.
Object Data Properties
- This identifies what is currently linked to the data within the object.
- The drop-down menu allows for linking other data based on the object data type, such as mesh, light, camera, etc.
- The same mesh can be linked within 2 separate objects in a form of instantiation, but each object will have its own independent transform.
Orphan Data
Orphan data is data that is not currently being utilized, meaning that it is not linked to any particular object or object data.
Outliner > View Mode (icon) > Orphan Data
- This outlines a list of current orphan data.
- To retain orphan data, enable the shield icon to the right of the data block. This assigns the data to a fake user so that when the file is closed or
Purgebutton is enabled, the data is retained alongside this fake user.
Cleanup Protocol
- Navigate to each of the following view modes in the Outliner (
Outliner>View Mode(icon)) to manage data: - Blender File
- Outline showing all aspects of the current Blender file and its components.
- Orphan Data
- As noted in the section above, this view mode identifies data that is not currently being used.
- It should be decided to assign them to the relevant data, retain the orphaned data, or
Purge. - View Layer
- Use groups (
CTRL+G) or collections (M) to organize data. - Rename data as necessary either individually (
F2) or by usingBatch Rename(CTRL+F2). - Verify that content within the file is not still packed by navigating to
File>External Data>Unpack All Into Files. - Select all objects (
A) andApply, freeze (CTRL+A) >All Transforms.
Lighting & Rendering
Eevee
- Real-time rendering engine
Cycles
- Path-tracing renderer
- Suitable for high quality rendering
Render Settings
Persistent Viewport
By default, the render operation (F12) renders to a new window, but if an area has already been defined to serve as the render panel, it can be set to the persistent render window without opening a new render window. This setting is defined under Edit > Preferences > Interface > Editors > Temporary Editors > Render In > Keep User Interface.
Render Slots
Render to different slots for quick comparisons.
Render Properties
Sampling
- Higher numbers for higher quality.
- Render
- Samples applied to final render (
F12). - Viewport
- Samples applied to render in viewport.
- Adaptive Sampling
- Strategically locates samples in scene.
- Denoising
- Various options available, including NVIDIA's OptiX (recommended).
- When enabled, it can mitigate the need for higher samples to achieve good quality render.
- Individual settings for both Viewport and Render, similar to samples.
Simplify
- Individual settings for Viewport and Render.
- Lower subdivisions can allow for quicker rendering.
Output Properties
Dimensions
- Presets
- Preset dimensions available under icon at top right of panel.
- Resolution %
- Modify to lower overall resolution for test renders before final render at 100%.
- Render Region
- Used to specify the area of the image to render in the Viewport.
- Crop to Render Region
- This renders only what is defined in the Render Region.
Output
- Directory specified for receiving the render output.
- Includes various options for specifying the final data output.
Eevee
Cycles
Settings
If hardware-capable, enable Render Properties > Device > GPU Compute.
Lighting
Area Light
The smaller it is, the sharper the shadows and the larger it is, the softer the shadows.
Shadow Catcher
Enable Visibility > Shadow Catcher
Python
Blender Python API
Administration
System Console
Window > Toggle System Console
Script Directories
Resources
Best Practices & Tips/Tricks
Resources
Add-ons
Customized transform controls of references images in modeling workflow.
Modelling toolkit & geometry cutter; highly valuable for hard-surface modelling.
Easy to use UI for transferring objects between Blender & RizomUV to address UV mapping.
Toolkit for optimizing, positioning, sizing, and efficiently exporting geometry from Blender to Spark AR Studio.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Selection
SHIFT + M
Context: Object
M
Context: Object
L
Context: Edit, UV Editor; Includes options to delimit by Material, Seam, UVs, etc.
SHIFT + G
Context: Edit
Select elem0, Select elem1, CTRL + SHIFT + + /- (Num Keypad) to grow pattern
Works with pts, edges, and faces.
Select Pt0, CTRL + SHIFT + Select Pt1
Works with pts, edges, and faces.
Select Pt0, CTRL + Select Pt1
Works with pts, edges, and faces.
CTRL + +/- (Num Keypad)
CTRL + RMB drag
Works regardless of active selection tool.
CTRL + ALT over single edge
ALT + LMB over single pt/edge/face
Position cursor over side to extend loop to define loop direction.
ALT + A
A
SHIFT + S
SHIFT + RMB
SHIFT + LMB
CTRL + I
2
Context: Edit
1
Context: Edit
3
Context: Edit
SHIFT + LMB (to select all parameters) + LMB Drag (without releasing LMB)
Multiple selection applies to vector parameters such as transformation, color, etc.
CTRL + LMB Drag
SHIFT + LMB Drag
, (Comma)
Context: Object, Edit; Includes options for Global, Local, Normal, etc.
CTRL + . (Period)
Context: Object, Edit
. (Period)
Context: Object, Edit; Includes options to vary pivot pt, including 3d cursor.
ALT + 4
Context: Object, Edit, Lattice
ALT + 3
Context: Object, Edit, Lattice
ALT + 2
Context: Object, Edit, Lattice
ALT + 1
Context: Object, Edit, Lattice
ALT + C
RMB (While in active transformation)
CTRL + Transform Operation (Move, Rotate, Scale)
Also works when editing parameter field with RMB edits.
SHIFT + Transform Operation (Move, Rotate, Scale)
Also works when editing parameter field with RMB edits.
SHIFT + TAB
Access snap options at top-center of viewer.
CTRL + A (Apply)
Synonymous with Freeze Transformations; zero out; also used to Apply Modifier.
ALT + G
ALT + S
S
S + X (Global Orient Lock)
S + X + X (Local Orient Lock)
X key can be replaced with Y or Z, depending on intended axis.
ALT + R
G (Grab)
G + X (Global Orient Lock)
G + X + X (Local Orient Lock)
X key can be replaced with Y or Z, depending on intended axis.
R
R + X (Global Orient Lock)
R + X + X (Local Orient Lock)
X key can be replaced with Y or Z, depending on intended axis.
Hover over parameter field + BACKSPACE
F9
Once new edits have been made, previous properties prior to last are inaccessible this method.
CTRL + ALT + X
Pie menu add-on enabled.
CTRL + 1 (number can be 0-5)
Enables Subdivision Modifier with specified number as Levels Viewport parameter.
ALT + D
Context: Object; Edits applied to one are applied to all instances.
SHIFT + D
Context: Object, Dope Sheet
0
MMB drag (Resize extents)
Context: Edit; Button (top/center of 3d view) has options including Connected Only & Profile.
SHIFT + R
Context: Edit
ALT + S
Context: Edit
G + G
Context: Edit; Works with vertices, edges, and faces.
CTRL + F, Select Grid Fill option
Context: Edit; Includes options for Span numbers and Offset amount.
F
Context: Edit
P
Context: Edit; Includes options to separate by Selection, Material, Loose Parts.
Start: K
Pause: E
Commit: SPACE
Context: Edit
CTRL + J
Context: Edit; Note that this only joins objects, not merges verts. Select parent object last.
J
Context: Edit
CTRL + B
Context: Edit; MMScroll to modify number of segments.
E
Context: Edit
ALT + E
Context: Edit; Includes Extrude Along Normals, Extrude Individual Faces, Extrude Repeat
CTRL + R
Context: Edit; MMScroll to modify number of loops.
ALT + N
Context: Edit
M
Context: Edit; Includes options, such as By Distance
CTRL + X
Context: Edit
X
Context: Edit
SHIFT + X
Context: Edit
B
Context: Edit; Includes various options, including Num of Cuts & Twist.
SHIFT + A
X or DEL
X option customized with Confirm option disabled; Pie menu add-on enabled.
R + R
Context: Object
J
Context: Render
CTRL + TAB
Includes options for the following modes: Object, Edit, Sculpt, Vertex Paint, Weight Paint & Texture Paint.
RMB
Context: Object
ALT + B, Drag selection window
Window defines geo to preserve in selection.
SHIFT + H
H
Includes option for hiding unselected.
ALT + H
CTRL + F
ALT + Q
Default configuration set to /, but customized with Frame Selected option disabled.
RMB over area dividers
Includes options for joining & swapping areas.
Z
Includes options for Solid, Wireframe, Material Preview & Rendered
ALT + Z
N
Includes parameters for active selection, transformations, options, and applicable add-ons.
TAB
T
Includes transformations and other editing tools; located at top left of scene view; context sensitive.
CTRL + ALT + Q
ALT + MMB drag
SHIFT + C; alternative to HOME
Context: Object; sets 3D cursor to world origin.
ALT + MMB click
Centers view on mouse click; does not include frame object.
/
` (Backtick Key)
Accesses orthogonal, camera, and selected views.
MMB
CTRL + MMB or MMB scroll
SHIFT + MMB
CTRL + SHIFT + Z
CTRL + S
Pie menu add-on enabled.
RMB over menu tool
In menu pop-up, select Assign Shortcut
Spacebar
Configured under Preferences.
Q
Useful for common use operations that are not already set up with a hot key.
CTRL + N
CTRL + E
Context: Shader Editor; Use Search to access node/s.
CTRL + D
Context: Shader Editor
RMB
Context: Edit
F
SHIFT + F
Context: UV Editor; Note that this brush can be quite aggressive in its edits.
ALT + V
Context: UV Editor
ALT + M
Context: UV Editor
U;
U + U (double-click)
Context: Edit
CTRL + T
Context: Shader Editor; Requires Node Wrangler add-on to be enabled.
4
Context: Sculpting
3
Context: Sculpting
2
Context: Sculpting
1
Context: Sculpting
SHIFT + LMB
Context: Sculpting
LMB
CTRL + LMB
Context: Sculpting
ALT + P
Context: Object
CTRL + F2
Context: Outliner
CTRL + P
Context: Object; Select object to serve as parent last, and includes options for transforms.
I
CTRL + E
Context: Graph Editor
F
Context: Graph Editor
T
Context: Graph Editor
CTRL + LMB drag
Context: Graph Editor
0 (Num Pad Key)
Context: Dope Sheet, Graph Editor
. (Num Pad Key)
Context: Dope Sheet, Graph Editor
HOME
Context: Dope Sheet, Graph Editor
SHIFT + LEFT ARROW
SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW
SHIFT + SPACE
wirefra
Context: Armature Edit
CTRL + R
Context: Armature Edit
SHIFT + W
Context: Armature Pose; includes Deform toggle, among others.
ALT + R
Context: Armature Pose
ALT + CTRL + A
Context: Armature Edit; Select bone to align to last.
Transformation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Vertex Selection |
| Context: | |
Edge Selection |
| Context: | |
Face Selection |
| Context: | |
Invert Selection |
| ||
Multiple Select/Deselect |
| ||
Move 3D Cursor |
| ||
3D Cursor Pie Menu |
| ||
Select All |
| ||
Deselect All |
| ||
Select Pt/Edge/Face Loop |
| Position cursor over side to extend loop to define loop direction. | |
Select Pt/Edge/Face Ring |
| ||
Lasso Selection |
| Works regardless of active selection tool. | |
Grow/Shrink Selection |
| ||
Select Shortest Path | Select Pt0, | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select Filled Region via Shortest Path | Select Pt0, | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select/Deselect Alternating Pattern | Select elem0, Select elem1, | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select Similar Menu |
| Context: | |
Select Linked |
| Context: | |
Selection To Collection |
| Context: | |
Link Selection To Collection |
| Context: |
Geo Operation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Delete Geometry |
|
| |
Add Content Menu |
| ||
Merge Vertices To Center |
| Context: | |
Bridge Edges |
| Context: | |
Delete Pie Menu |
| Context: | |
Dissolve Selected Geometry |
| Context: | |
Merge Selection |
| Context: | |
Flip Normals |
| Context: | |
Insert Edge Loop |
| Context: | |
Extrude |
| Context: | |
Bevel |
| Context: | |
Join Vertices (Gen polyline between verts) |
| Context: | |
Knife | Start: | Context: | |
Join Objects (Combine) |
| Context: | |
Partition Objects (Separate) |
| Context: | |
Fill Geometry Hole |
| Context: | |
Grid Fill |
| Context: | |
Slide |
| Context: | |
Scale Along Normal (Grow/Shrink) |
| Context: | |
Repeat Last Modelling Command |
| Context: | |
Proportional Editing Mode (Soft Transform) (Toggle) |
| Context: | |
Duplicate Object / Keyframe |
| Context: | |
Instantiate Object |
| Context: | |
Subdivision [Modifier] |
| Enables | |
Extrude Menu |
| Context: |
Display
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Orthogonal Views |
| ||
Quad View |
| ||
Toggle Tool Menu Display |
| Includes transformations and other editing tools; located at top left of scene view; context sensitive. | |
Toggle Sidebar Menu Display |
| Includes parameters for active selection, transformations, options, and applicable add-ons. | |
Display Mode Pie Menu |
| Includes options for | |
X-Ray |
| ||
Area Controls |
| Includes options for joining & swapping areas. | |
Isolate Selected Geometry (Toggle) |
| Default configuration set to | |
Solid Wireframe Mode |
| ||
Toggle Object/Edit Mode |
| ||
Hide Selected Geometry |
| Includes option for hiding unselected. | |
Hide Unselected Geometry |
| ||
Unhide Hidden Geometry |
| ||
View Crop Selection (Toggle) |
| Window defines geo to preserve in selection. | |
Shade Smooth/Flat |
| Context: | |
Object Interaction Mode |
| Includes options for the following modes: | |
Cycle Through Render Slots |
| Context: Render | |
Rotate Light |
| Context: |
Navigation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Orbit |
| ||
Center View On Mouse Cursor |
| Centers view on mouse click; does not include frame object. | |
Frame & Isolate Selected (Toggle) |
| ||
Pan |
| ||
Zoom |
| ||
View Pie Menu (includes option to frame selected) |
| Accesses orthogonal, camera, and selected views. | |
Center Zero View |
| Context: |
File
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
New File |
| ||
Assign Shortcut |
| In menu pop-up, select | |
Save/Open Menu |
| Pie menu add-on enabled. | |
Search Operations |
| Configured under | |
Quick Favorites Menu |
| Useful for common use operations that are not already set up with a hot key. | |
Redo Undo |
|
Material
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Texture Coordinate & Image Texture Nodes |
| Context: | |
Duplicate Shader Node |
| Context: | |
Add Node To Network |
| Context: | |
UV Mapping Menu;
UV Unwrap |
| Context: | |
Split Selection (UVs) |
| Context: | |
Stitch Selection (UVs) |
| Context: | |
Brush Size; Intensity (UV Grab) |
| Context: | |
UV Context Menu |
| Context: |
Sculpting
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Sculpt; Inwards |
| Context: | |
Sculpt Brush: Smooth |
| Context: | |
Sculpt Brush: Clay Strips |
| Context: | |
Sculpt Brush: Crease |
| Context: | |
Sculpt Brush: Grab |
| Context: | |
Sculpt Brush: Flatten |
| Context: |
Organization
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Parent Object |
| Context: | |
Un-Parent Object |
| Context: | |
Group Objects |
| Context: | |
Batch Rename |
| Context: |
Animation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
Play/Stop Animation |
| ||
Jump to First Frame / Last Frame |
| ||
Frame All Keyframes |
| Context: | |
Frame Selected Keyframe/s |
| Context: | |
Go To Current Frame |
| Context: | |
Move Keyframe & Snap |
| Context: | |
Set Keyframe Handle Type |
| Context: | |
Set Keyframe Interpolation |
| Context: | |
Set Keyframe Easing Type |
| Context: | |
Insert Keyframe |
|
On This Page
- Notes
- Installation & Builds
- Blender Launcher
- User Settings
- File Management
- Open File & UI
- Link & Append Blender Files
- Default Startup Configuration
- Workspace Management
- Custom Preferences
- Settings
- User Interface
- Configure, Swap & Join Areas
- Display Scene Statistics
- Configure Shortcuts
- Built-In Add-ons
- Custom Add-ons
- Save Preferences
- Package File
- Persistent Orthographic Views
- Scene Management
- Outliner
- Collections
- Outliner Restriction Toggles
- Parenting Objects
- Groups
- Collections
- Objects & Object Data Structures
- Orphan Data
- Cleanup Protocol
- Lighting & Rendering
- Render Settings
- Persistent Viewport
- Render Slots
- Render Properties
- Output Properties
- Eevee
- Cycles
- Settings
- Lighting
- Area Light
- Shadow Catcher
- Python
- Blender Python API
- Administration
- System Console
- Script Directories
- Resources
- Best Practices & Tips/Tricks
- Resources
- Add-ons
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Selection
- Transformation
- Geo Operation
- Display
- Navigation
- File
- Material
- Sculpting
- Organization
- Animation