{"id":8076,"date":"2023-12-07T11:06:28","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T11:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/?p=8076"},"modified":"2023-12-07T11:06:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T11:06:28","slug":"blender-basics-macos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/","title":{"rendered":"Blender Basics for MacOS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a147092e7d83\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a147092e7d83\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#start-up\" >Start Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#initial-layoutinterface\" >Initial Layout\/Interface<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#areas\" >Areas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#basic-navigation\" >Basic Navigation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#3d-viewport-navigation\" >3D Viewport Navigation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#3d-viewport-trackpad-navigation\" >3D Viewport &#038; Trackpad Navigation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#interaction-mode\" >Interaction Mode<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#viewport-shading-display\" >Viewport Shading (Display)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/blender-basics-macos\/#manipulation-toolswidgets\" >Manipulation Tools\/Widgets<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Generally speaking using Blender on a <b>MacBook Pro<\/b>\/<b>Air<\/b> or other <b>MacOS<\/b> device is more-or-less the same as it is for Windows based computers. The user interface, layout options, how Users interact with the application, are all similar with the exception of what the various &#8216;command&#8217; keys do; for MacOS that&#8217;s <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span>, <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Option<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2325<\/span>) and <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>). With this in mind, below are some of the basics of Blender on MacOS.<\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"background-color: #fc0; color: #000;\"><p><b>Important<\/b>: the following is a <b>BASIC OVERVIEW<\/b> of Blender as initially presented on starting up\/launching the application.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"start-up\"><\/span>Start Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When starting Blender for the first time the <b>Settings<\/b> screen is shown. Here, a number of global options can be adjusted, namely the application&#8217;s <b>Language<\/b>, the keyboard <b>Shortcuts<\/b> emulation to use (3DS Max, Maya etc.), and the <b>Select With<\/b> [1] mouse-click selection preference &#8211; <b>Left<\/b> or <b>Right<\/b>. Once these initial options are set by clicking <b>Save New Settings<\/b>, the default <b>Start-up Splash Screen<\/b>, which subsequently appears each time Blender starts, will appear. Similarly here, a number of <b>New File<\/b> types is shown alongside a <b>Recent Files<\/b> list and useful resource links. To continue to Blender, click anywhere on-screen.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: for all intents and purposes <b>Select With<\/b> assumes use of the <i>3-button mouse<\/i>, which is recommended for Blender, with Left, Middle (scroll) and Right buttons. See below for single-button mouse usage (emulation).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-settings.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-settings.jpg\" alt=\"Initial Settings screen\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Starting Blender for the very first time present the Settings splash where a number of basic system-wide settings can be configured, namely <b>Select With<\/b> [1] mouse selection preference.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-splash.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-splash.jpg\" alt=\"Start Up Splash\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>After the initial settings have been configured, Blender will load the standard splash screen whenever it loads that displays a number of useful data.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"initial-layoutinterface\"><\/span>Initial Layout\/Interface<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Blenders interface comprises a collection of task-based areas. Running along the top are non-context sensitive &#8216;global&#8217; menus, <b>File<\/b>, <b>Edit<\/b>, <b>Render<\/b> etc., and a set of <b>Workspace<\/b> tabs that change the general appearance and layout to match the task each represents; <b>Layout<\/b> (default), <b>Modeling<\/b>, <b>Animation<\/b>, <b>Geometry Nodes<\/b> and so on. When clicked, each reorganises the interface to use different <i>areas<\/i> and various context sensitive tools, menus and functionality based on the Workspace and task at hand.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: the number of <b>Workspace<\/b> tabs available may vary depending on the version of Blender or screen real estate, and can also be customised to suit personal preference.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area-layout.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area-layout.jpg\" alt=\"Different 'area' layout\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Depending on the Workspace, layouts may differ, Geometry Nodes workspace for example, uses the 3D Viewport, Geometry Node Editor and Spreadsheet along side Properties and Outliner.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Below this the layout comprises the main <b>3D Viewport<\/b>, which occupies much of the interface, and down the right-hand side, the <b>Outliner<\/b>, which provides information on the contents of a given project, and <b>Properties<\/b>, where various properties, options and settings are accessible based on the task at hand.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-layout-default.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-layout-default.jpg\" alt=\"Blenders default layout\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-layout.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-layout.jpg\" alt=\"Blenders layout parts\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Image-top: Blenders initial layout is geared towards meshing, modelling and general 3D editing. Image-bottom: the large section is the <b>3D Viewport<\/b> (orange). Immediately below this is the <b>Timeline<\/b> (blue). Running down the right is the <b>Outliner<\/b> (pale blue) and <b>Properties<\/b> (green) panels. Along the bottom is the <b>Status Bar<\/b> (fuchsia) and the top, the <b>Header<\/b> (red).<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"areas\"><\/span>Areas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>By default the <b>3D Viewport<\/b> is the primary <i>area<\/i> of the application. It, like most other areas and editors, has its own <b>Header<\/b> that runs along the top of the view from which various context sensitive menus, options and functions are available. Down the left side of the area is the main <b>ToolBar<\/b>, a context sensitive strip of tools and features used to manipulate various aspects of a scene. Down the right side are the scene <b>Navigation Tools<\/b> widgets and aids that allow the view itself to be manipulated.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: depending on the Workspace layout and\/or area being used, the tools and menus available will differ depending on the area\/layout itself, and\/or the context of the task being performed.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area-context.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area-context.jpg\" alt=\"Area context\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>The tools, menus and options of a given area within a broader Workspace layout change depending on context or task, in <b>Sculpting<\/b> Workspace far more tools appear in the Toolbar to the left with additional settings above, whereas the navigation tools remain the same on the right.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-area.jpg\" alt=\"Area changes\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Each area within an overall Workspace layout includes its own tools, menus and options, the 3D Viewport (orange) for example, typically has a Toolbar on the left (blue), navigation aids on the right (green), and a Header (red) running along the top.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"basic-navigation\"><\/span>Basic Navigation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Generally speaking, all views and areas use the same core navigation and\/or manipulation mechanics. Where a 3-button mouse is used &#8211; Left Mouse Button (<b>LMB<\/b>), Middle Mouse Button (<b>MMB<\/b>) and Right Mouse Button (<b>RMB<\/b>) &#8211; these are;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>LMB<\/b>* = selects or activates menus, properties, objects and items.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <strong>LMB<\/strong> = multi-selects.<\/li>\n<li><b>MMB<\/b> or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <b>MMB<\/b> = translates or moves (grabs).<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>) + <b>MMB<\/b> = Zooms in\/out.<\/li>\n<li><b>RMB<\/b>* = selects objects.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <b>RMB<\/b> = multi-selects objects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote style=\"background-color: #fc0; color: #000;\"><p><b>Important<\/b>: * left or right mouse button actions depend on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/left-click-select\/\">Select With<\/a> option set when Blender is open for the first time; some operations or behaviours may be cancelled out as a result, especially when used in combination with <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span>, <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Option<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2325<\/span>) or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the <b>Outliner<\/b> for example, <i>MMB-click-drag<\/i> will &#8216;grab&#8217; and move or translate the area or its content up\/down, left\/right, largely complimenting middle-mouse-scrolling up\/down, whereas in the 3D Viewport the same action rotates the scene.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3d-viewport-navigation\"><\/span>3D Viewport Navigation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although the same shortcut keys and mouse button combinations are used throughout Blender, for the <b>3D Viewport<\/b> specifically, the primary mode of navigation is through use of the <b>Middle Mouse Button<\/b> (<b>MMB<\/b>). Here the three buttons will;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>LMB<\/b> = selects or actives menus, options or tools.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <b>LMB<\/b> = multi-select.<\/li>\n<li><b>MMB<\/b> = <i>free-rotates<\/i> the 3D view.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <b>MMB<\/b> = <i>translates<\/i> the 3D view up\/down, left\/right.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>) + <strong>MMB<\/strong> = <i>zooms<\/i> the 3D view in\/out (or alternatively <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>) + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">+<\/span>\/<span class=\"shortcutkey\">&#8211;<\/span>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote style=\"background-color: #fc0; color: #000;\"><p><b>Important<\/b>: in similar fashion to general key\/mouse navigation, depending on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/left-click-select\/\">Select With<\/a> option set when Blender is first opened, there may be conflicts with other operations or behaviours, especially when used in combination with <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span>, <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>), <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Option<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2325<\/span>) or <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Command<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2318<\/span>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3d-viewport-trackpad-navigation\"><\/span>3D Viewport &#038; Trackpad Navigation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although Blender assumes a 3-button mouse, the availability of the 3D Viewport navigation or <b>View Tools<\/b> in its upper-right corner mean Blender can be used with a trackpad, with or without mouse, or without a 3-button mouse, by clicking or click-dragging any one or more of the navigational aids to manipulate the scene by;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Orientation\/Axis Widget<\/b> [2] = click-drag within the sphere to <b>free rotates<\/b> (freeform) the viewport, or on an <b>X<\/b>, <b>Y<\/b> or <b>Z<\/b> axis marker to switch to a specific, <b>Viewpoint<\/b> (see below), orientation.<\/li>\n<li><b>Magnifying Glass<\/b> [3] = <b>zooms<\/b> the 3D Viewport in\/out.<\/li>\n<li><b>Hand<\/b> = <b>translates<\/b> the 3D Viewport left\/right, up\/down.<\/li>\n<li><b>Camera<\/b> = toggles between the scene <b>Camera<\/b> and default point of view.<\/li>\n<li><b>Grid<\/b> = toggles between <b>Orthogonal<\/b> (flat) and <b>Perspective<\/b> viewpoints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b> Blender provides an option to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/mouse-emulate\/\">&#8217;emulate&#8217; a 3-button mouse<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/user-preferences\/\">Preferences<\/a> [ii]. Once active, <b>Emulate Numpad<\/b> [iii] and\/or <b>Emulate 3-Button Mouse<\/b> [iv] will result in <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Option<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2325<\/span>) + <b>LBM<\/b> rotating the 3D viewport, useful for trackpad or mouse with limited buttons.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-emulate.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-emulate.jpg\" alt=\"Keyboard and Mouse emulation\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Blender provides a few ways to &#8217;emulate&#8217; the full keyboard and mouse experience [ii] where this is not available; enable <b>Emulate Numpad<\/b> [iii] &#8211; full keyboard, and <b>Emulate 3-Button Mouse<\/b> [iv] (full mouse).<\/i><\/p>\n<p>The views orientation can also be set from the <b>View<\/b> menu [v]; click <b>View<\/b>, <b>Viewpoint<\/b> [vi] then an orientation option from those available, <b>Front<\/b>, <b>Top<\/b>, <b>Left<\/b> etc., e.g. <b><i>View \u226b Viewpoint \u226b Front<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-view-menu.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-view-menu.jpg\" alt=\"Change view point\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>The 3D viewports point of view can also be changed from the <b>View<\/b> menu; a number of orientations are available under Viewpoint [vi] &#8211; Front, Back, etc.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-navigation.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-navigation.jpg\" alt=\"Navigation tools\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>The Navigation widget [2] and manipulation tools [3] that run down the 3D Viewports right-hand side aid scene manipulation without mouse or using a trackpad.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"interaction-mode\"><\/span>Interaction Mode<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned above, the main 3D Viewport has its own Header where various context sensitive menus and options appear. To the left of this area is the <b>Sets the object interaction mode<\/b> drop-down which allows for the area can be changed in a way that&#8217;s orientated towards the <i>task<\/i>, <i>editing<\/i> or <i>manipulation context<\/i> at hand, that is, each mode changes the tools, menus and options available, thus they are <i>context sensitive<\/i>, and limits the way objects and data can be edited, manipulated or managed within the scene and\/or overall project. To change mode, click the <b>Sets the object interaction mode<\/b> drop-down immediate-left and select from <b>Object Mode<\/b> (default), <b>Edit Mode<\/b>, <b>Sculpt Mode<\/b>, <b>Vertex Paint<\/b>, <b>Weight Paint<\/b> and <b>Texture Paint<\/b>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: modes can be switched using <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Tab<\/span> to access the <b>Mode<\/b> pie menu. To quickly toggle back and forth between <b>Object Mode<\/b> and <b>Edit Mode<\/b> use <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span> + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Tab<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e5<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-mode-pie.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-mode-pie.jpg\" alt=\"Mode pie menu\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Some functions, actions or operations can be actioned using a quick-access pie menu, for example <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span> + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Tab<\/span> opens the <b>Mode<\/b> menu.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-mode-sculpt.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-mode-sculpt.jpg\" alt=\"Switching 'Mode'\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Rather than the 3D Viewport being fixed to a particular context it can be changed to suit the task at hand using the <b>Sets the object interaction mode selector<\/b> [4] to, for example, switch back and forth between <b>Object Mode<\/b> (default) and <b>Sculpt Mode<\/b> (note the toolbar change).<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"viewport-shading-display\"><\/span>Viewport Shading (Display)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>To the immediate right of the 3D Viewport&#8217;s Header are the <b>Viewport Shading<\/b> options. Each item changes the way objects, materials and other data is displayed or rendered in the viewport. For example, <b>Wireframe<\/b> displays the scenes contents as wire outlines, whereas <b>Rendered<\/b> will show the same contents fully rendered with materials, textures and effects. To toggle or switch display rendering, simply left click the spherical icon representing the respective view; <b>Wireframe<\/b>, <b>Solid<\/b>, <b>Material Preview<\/b> or <b>Rendered<\/b>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: for the 3D Viewport and <b>Object Mode<\/b>, <b>Solid<\/b>, a grey-scale &#8216;clay&#8217; render, is the default display mode. The 3D Viewport shading mode can also be switched using the <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span> + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Z<\/span> shortcut to access the <b>Shading<\/b> [iix] pie-menu. A number of shortcut combinations can be used to switch between different shading modes; <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Option<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2325<\/span>) + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Z<\/span> = toggles Xray<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Z<\/span> = toggles Wireframe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Depending on the &#8216;editing context&#8217; set (Object Mode, Edit Mode, Weight Paint etc.), the available options may differ from the default selection.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-shading-pie.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 98.5%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-shading-pie.jpg\" alt=\"Shortcut Shading menu\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Pressing <span class=\"shortcutkey\">fn<\/span> + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Z<\/span> opens the <b>Shading<\/b> quick-access pie menu [iix] as an alternative to switch between modes.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-shading-mode.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-shading-mode.jpg\" alt=\"Viewport Shading\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>The <b>Viewport Shading<\/b> [5] options change the way the 3D viewport renders its contents, from a simple <b>Wireframe<\/b> to fully <b>Rendered<\/b>.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"manipulation-toolswidgets\"><\/span>Manipulation Tools\/Widgets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Down the left-hand side of the 3D viewport is the <b>ToolBar<\/b> [6]. Here, a set of context sensitive tools are presented each performing a different function or operation, typically the manipulation, scale or rotation of a select. In <b>Edit Mode<\/b> for example, is <b>Select Box<\/b>, <b>Cursor<\/b>, <b>Move<\/b>, <b>Rotate<\/b>, <b>Scale<\/b> and <b>Transform<\/b>. Below this is <b>Annotate<\/b>, <b>Measure<\/b> and <b>Add Cube<\/b>, whereas in <b>Vertex Paint<\/b> mode <b>Draw<\/b>, <b>Blur<\/b>, <b>Average<\/b>, <b>Smear<\/b> and <b>Annotate<\/b> are shown. <\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: some tools can be accessed using a shortcut; <span class=\"shortcutkey\">G<\/span> actives <b>Move<\/b>, <span class=\"shortcutkey\">R<\/span> for <b>Rotate<\/b> and <span class=\"shortcutkey\">S<\/span> for <b>Scale<\/b> &#8211; when activating a manipulation widget using their respective shortcut the default behaviour is to initiate &#8216;free&#8217; move\/rotate\/scale, that is, manipulate on all axes at once. Once activated, holding down <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) snaps manipulations to measured increments or rotational degrees; holding down <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Shift<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u21e7<\/span>) + <span class=\"shortcutkey\">Control<\/span> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">\u2303<\/span>) to smaller increments\/degrees.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-widgets.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/macos\/basics-macos-widgets.jpg\" alt=\"Manipulation widgets\/tools\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>The manipulation widgets\/tools are used to manipulate, rotate, scale objects and selections &#8211; <b>Move<\/b> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">G<\/span>), <b>Rotate<\/b> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">R<\/span>), <b>Scale<\/b> (<span class=\"shortcutkey\">S<\/span>) and <b>Transform<\/b>. The available tools may vary depending on the Workspace, editor or context.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,1045,230],"tags":[1055,120,1059,264,346,662,353,497,1043,1044,503,791,569],"class_list":["post-8076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blender","category-macos","category-tutorials","tag-3-button-mouse","tag-blender","tag-blender-4-x","tag-blender-basics","tag-edit-mode","tag-emulate-mouse","tag-interaction-mode","tag-left-click","tag-macbook","tag-macos","tag-select-with","tag-shortcut-keys","tag-viewport-shading"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8076"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8224,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076\/revisions\/8224"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}