About
Applications
Notes
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 Roundness
to0.75
. - Smooth: Set
Strength
to0.3
.
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 Menus
Edit 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
+P
to parent.- Specify type of parent and transform relationship.
- Un-Parent Objects
- Select object/s to be unparented.
ALT
+P
to 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
Purge
button 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
Keyboard Shortcuts
Selection
SHIFT
+ M
Object
M
Object
L
Edit
, UV Editor
; Includes options to delimit by Material
, Seam
, UVs
, etc.SHIFT
+ G
Edit
CTRL
+ SHIFT
+ +
/-
(Num Keypad) to grow patternCTRL
+ SHIFT
+ Select Pt1CTRL
+ Select Pt1CTRL
+ +
/-
(Num Keypad)CTRL
+ RMB
dragCTRL
+ ALT
over single edgeALT
+ LMB
over single pt/edge/faceALT
+ A
A
SHIFT
+ S
SHIFT
+ RMB
SHIFT
+ LMB
CTRL
+ I
2
Edit
1
Edit
3
Edit
SHIFT
+ LMB
(to select all parameters) + LMB
Drag (without releasing LMB
)CTRL
+ LMB
DragSHIFT
+ LMB
Drag,
(Comma)Object
, Edit
; Includes options for Global
, Local
, Normal
, etc.CTRL
+ .
(Period)Object
, Edit
.
(Period)Object
, Edit
; Includes options to vary pivot pt, including 3d cursor.ALT
+ 4
Object
, Edit
, Lattice
ALT
+ 3
Object
, Edit
, Lattice
ALT
+ 2
Object
, Edit
, Lattice
ALT
+ 1
Object
, Edit
, Lattice
ALT
+ C
RMB
(While in active transformation)CTRL
+ Transform Operation (Move, Rotate, Scale)RMB
edits.SHIFT
+ Transform Operation (Move, Rotate, Scale)RMB
edits.SHIFT
+ TAB
CTRL
+ A
(Apply)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.BACKSPACE
F9
CTRL
+ ALT
+ X
CTRL
+ 1
(number can be 0-5)Subdivision
Modifier with specified number as Levels Viewport
parameter.ALT
+ D
Object
; Edits applied to one are applied to all instances.SHIFT
+ D
Object
, Dope Sheet
0
MMB
drag (Resize extents)Edit
; Button (top/center of 3d view) has options including Connected Only
& Profile
.SHIFT
+ R
Edit
ALT
+ S
Edit
G
+ G
Edit
; Works with vertices, edges, and faces.CTRL
+ F
, Select Grid Fill
optionEdit
; Includes options for Span
numbers and Offset
amount.F
Edit
P
Edit
; Includes options to separate by Selection
, Material
, Loose Parts
.K
Pause: E
Commit: SPACE
Edit
CTRL
+ J
Edit
; Note that this only joins objects, not merges verts. Select parent object last.J
Edit
CTRL
+ B
Edit
; MMScroll to modify number of segments.E
Edit
ALT
+ E
Edit
; Includes Extrude Along Normals
, Extrude Individual Faces
, Extrude Repeat
CTRL
+ R
Edit
; MMScroll to modify number of loops.ALT
+ N
Edit
M
Edit
; Includes options, such as By Distance
CTRL
+ X
Edit
X
Edit
SHIFT
+ X
Edit
B
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
Object
J
CTRL
+ TAB
Object
, Edit
, Sculpt
, Vertex Paint
, Weight Paint
& Texture Paint
.RMB
Object
ALT
+ B
, Drag selection windowSHIFT
+ H
H
ALT
+ H
CTRL
+ F
ALT
+ Q
/
, but customized with Frame Selected
option disabled.RMB
over area dividersZ
Solid
, Wireframe
, Material Preview
& Rendered
ALT
+ Z
N
TAB
T
CTRL
+ ALT
+ Q
ALT
+ MMB
dragSHIFT
+ C
; alternative to HOME
Object
; sets 3D cursor to world origin. ALT
+ MMB
click/
`
(Backtick Key)MMB
CTRL
+ MMB
or MMB
scrollSHIFT
+ MMB
CTRL
+ SHIFT
+ Z
CTRL
+ S
RMB
over menu toolAssign Shortcut
Spacebar
Preferences
.Q
CTRL
+ N
CTRL
+ E
Shader Editor
; Use Search to access node/s.CTRL
+ D
Shader Editor
RMB
Edit
F
SHIFT
+ F
UV Editor
; Note that this brush can be quite aggressive in its edits.ALT
+ V
UV Editor
ALT
+ M
UV Editor
U
;
U
+ U
(double-click)Edit
CTRL
+ T
Shader Editor
; Requires Node Wrangler
add-on to be enabled.4
Sculpting
3
Sculpting
2
Sculpting
1
Sculpting
SHIFT
+ LMB
Sculpting
LMB
CTRL
+ LMB
Sculpting
ALT
+ P
Object
CTRL
+ F2
Outliner
CTRL
+ G
Object
; equipped using Machine3tools
add-on.CTRL
+ P
Object
; Select object to serve as parent last, and includes options for transforms.I
CTRL
+ E
Graph Editor
F
Graph Editor
T
Graph Editor
CTRL
+ LMB
dragGraph Editor
0
(Num Pad Key)Dope Sheet
, Graph Editor
.
(Num Pad Key)Dope Sheet
, Graph Editor
HOME
Dope Sheet
, Graph Editor
SHIFT
+ LEFT ARROW
SHIFT
+ RIGHT ARROW
SHIFT
+ SPACE
Transformation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Vertex Selection | 1 | Context: Edit | |
Edge Selection | 2 | Context: Edit | |
Face Selection | 3 | Context: Edit | |
Invert Selection | CTRL + I | ||
Multiple Select/Deselect | SHIFT + LMB | ||
Move 3D Cursor | SHIFT + RMB | ||
3D Cursor Pie Menu | SHIFT + S | ||
Select All | A | ||
Deselect All | ALT + A | ||
Select Pt/Edge/Face Loop | ALT + LMB over single pt/edge/face | Position cursor over side to extend loop to define loop direction. | |
Select Pt/Edge/Face Ring | CTRL + ALT over single edge | ||
Lasso Selection | CTRL + RMB drag | Works regardless of active selection tool. | |
Grow/Shrink Selection | CTRL + + /- (Num Keypad) | ||
Select Shortest Path | Select Pt0, CTRL + Select Pt1 | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select Filled Region via Shortest Path | Select Pt0, CTRL + SHIFT + Select Pt1 | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select/Deselect Alternating Pattern | Select elem0, Select elem1, CTRL + SHIFT + + /- (Num Keypad) to grow pattern | Works with pts, edges, and faces. | |
Select Similar Menu | SHIFT + G | Context: Edit | |
Select Linked | L | Context: Edit , UV Editor ; Includes options to delimit by Material , Seam , UVs , etc. | |
Selection To Collection | M | Context: Object | |
Link Selection To Collection | SHIFT + M | Context: Object |
Geo Operation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Delete Geometry | X or DEL | X option customized with Confirm option disabled; Pie menu add-on enabled. | |
Add Content Menu | SHIFT + A | ||
Merge Vertices To Center | SHIFT + X | Context: Edit | |
Bridge Edges | B | Context: Edit ; Includes various options, including Num of Cuts & Twist . | |
Delete Pie Menu | X | Context: Edit | |
Dissolve Selected Geometry | CTRL + X | Context: Edit | |
Merge Selection | M | Context: Edit ; Includes options, such as By Distance | |
Flip Normals | ALT + N | Context: Edit | |
Insert Edge Loop | CTRL + R | Context: Edit ; MMScroll to modify number of loops. | |
Extrude | E | Context: Edit | |
Bevel | CTRL + B | Context: Edit ; MMScroll to modify number of segments. | |
Join Vertices (Gen polyline between verts) | J | Context: Edit | |
Knife | Start: K
Pause: E
Commit: SPACE | Context: Edit | |
Join Objects (Combine) | CTRL + J | Context: Edit ; Note that this only joins objects, not merges verts. Select parent object last. | |
Partition Objects (Separate) | P | Context: Edit ; Includes options to separate by Selection , Material , Loose Parts . | |
Fill Geometry Hole | F | Context: Edit | |
Grid Fill | CTRL + F , Select Grid Fill option | Context: Edit ; Includes options for Span numbers and Offset amount. | |
Slide | G + G | Context: Edit ; Works with vertices, edges, and faces. | |
Scale Along Normal (Grow/Shrink) | ALT + S | Context: Edit | |
Repeat Last Modelling Command | SHIFT + R | Context: Edit | |
Proportional Editing Mode (Soft Transform) (Toggle) | 0
MMB drag (Resize extents) | Context: Edit ; Button (top/center of 3d view) has options including Connected Only & Profile . | |
Duplicate Object / Keyframe | SHIFT + D | Context: Object , Dope Sheet | |
Instantiate Object | ALT + D | Context: Object ; Edits applied to one are applied to all instances. | |
Subdivision [Modifier] | CTRL + 1 (number can be 0-5) | Enables Subdivision Modifier with specified number as Levels Viewport parameter. | |
Extrude Menu | ALT + E | Context: Edit ; Includes Extrude Along Normals , Extrude Individual Faces , Extrude Repeat |
Display
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Orthogonal Views | ALT + MMB drag | ||
Quad View | CTRL + ALT + Q | ||
Toggle Tool Menu Display | T | Includes transformations and other editing tools; located at top left of scene view; context sensitive. | |
Toggle Sidebar Menu Display | N | Includes parameters for active selection, transformations, options, and applicable add-ons. | |
Display Mode Pie Menu | Z | Includes options for Solid , Wireframe , Material Preview & Rendered | |
X-Ray | ALT + Z | ||
Area Controls | RMB over area dividers | Includes options for joining & swapping areas. | |
Isolate Selected Geometry (Toggle) | ALT + Q | Default configuration set to / , but customized with Frame Selected option disabled. | |
Solid Wireframe Mode | CTRL + F | ||
Toggle Object/Edit Mode | TAB | ||
Hide Selected Geometry | H | Includes option for hiding unselected. | |
Hide Unselected Geometry | SHIFT + H | ||
Unhide Hidden Geometry | ALT + H | ||
View Crop Selection (Toggle) | ALT + B , Drag selection window | Window defines geo to preserve in selection. | |
Shade Smooth/Flat | RMB | Context: Object | |
Object Interaction Mode | CTRL + TAB | Includes options for the following modes: Object , Edit , Sculpt , Vertex Paint , Weight Paint & Texture Paint . | |
Cycle Through Render Slots | J | Context: Render | |
Rotate Light | R + R | Context: Object |
Navigation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Orbit | MMB | ||
Center View On Mouse Cursor | ALT + MMB click | Centers view on mouse click; does not include frame object. | |
Frame & Isolate Selected (Toggle) | / | ||
Pan | SHIFT + MMB | ||
Zoom | CTRL + MMB or MMB scroll | ||
View Pie Menu (includes option to frame selected) | ` (Backtick Key) | Accesses orthogonal, camera, and selected views. | |
Center Zero View | SHIFT + C ; alternative to HOME | Context: Object ; sets 3D cursor to world origin. |
File
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
New File | CTRL + N | ||
Assign Shortcut | RMB over menu tool | In menu pop-up, select Assign Shortcut | |
Save/Open Menu | CTRL + S | Pie menu add-on enabled. | |
Search Operations | Spacebar | Configured under Preferences . | |
Quick Favorites Menu | Q | Useful for common use operations that are not already set up with a hot key. | |
Redo Undo | CTRL + SHIFT + Z |
Material
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Texture Coordinate & Image Texture Nodes | CTRL + T | Context: Shader Editor ; Requires Node Wrangler add-on to be enabled. | |
Duplicate Shader Node | CTRL + D | Context: Shader Editor | |
Add Node To Network | CTRL + E | Context: Shader Editor ; Use Search to access node/s. | |
UV Mapping Menu;
UV Unwrap | U ;
U + U (double-click) | Context: Edit | |
Split Selection (UVs) | ALT + M | Context: UV Editor | |
Stitch Selection (UVs) | ALT + V | Context: UV Editor | |
Brush Size; Intensity (UV Grab) | F
SHIFT + F | Context: UV Editor ; Note that this brush can be quite aggressive in its edits. | |
UV Context Menu | RMB | Context: Edit |
Sculpting
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Sculpt; Inwards | LMB
CTRL + LMB | Context: Sculpting | |
Sculpt Brush: Smooth | SHIFT + LMB | Context: Sculpting | |
Sculpt Brush: Clay Strips | 1 | Context: Sculpting | |
Sculpt Brush: Crease | 2 | Context: Sculpting | |
Sculpt Brush: Grab | 3 | Context: Sculpting | |
Sculpt Brush: Flatten | 4 | Context: Sculpting |
Organization
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Parent Object | CTRL + P | Context: Object ; Select object to serve as parent last, and includes options for transforms. | |
Un-Parent Object | ALT + P | Context: Object | |
Group Objects | CTRL + G | Context: Object ; equipped using Machine3tools add-on. | |
Batch Rename | CTRL + F2 | Context: Outliner |
Animation
Name | Shortcut | Notes | Custom |
---|---|---|---|
Play/Stop Animation | SHIFT + SPACE | ||
Jump to First Frame / Last Frame | SHIFT + LEFT ARROW
SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW | ||
Frame All Keyframes | HOME | Context: Dope Sheet , Graph Editor | |
Frame Selected Keyframe/s | . (Num Pad Key) | Context: Dope Sheet , Graph Editor | |
Go To Current Frame | 0 (Num Pad Key) | Context: Dope Sheet , Graph Editor | |
Move Keyframe & Snap | CTRL + LMB drag | Context: Graph Editor | |
Set Keyframe Handle Type | T | Context: Graph Editor | |
Set Keyframe Interpolation | F | Context: Graph Editor | |
Set Keyframe Easing Type | CTRL + E | Context: Graph Editor | |
Insert Keyframe | I |
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