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blender_docs/manual/getting_started/basics/interface/introduction.rst

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*********************
Concepts
*********************
Blender's User Interface is based on `OpenGL <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL>`__
Thus it's look and feel is consistent over all platforms.
The interface can be customized to match specific tasks.
The resulting Screen Layouts can then be named and saved for later reuse.
Blender also makes heavy use of keyboard shortcuts to speed up work.
The :doc:`keymaps <keyboard_and_mouse>` can also be customized.
UI Principles
=============
.. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_03.jpg
:align: center
:width: 100%
*********************************** Manu's Blender Desk
Starting Blender for the first time
***********************************
.. figure:: /images/(Doc_26x_Manual_Vitals_Help)_(Splash_Screen_2.66)_(GBV266FN).jpg
:align: right
:width: 250
If you are familiar with other 3D software you will immediately
notice that Blender is quite different from what you are used to seeing.
However you will soon see similarities with your previous software,
like a *3D Viewport*, an *Outliner* and a *Timeline*.
If this is the first time you have used any 3D software, you may be a little lost.
Fortunately there's really only one rule when you want to learn 3D with Blender:
don't be afraid to explore and experiment!
After starting Blender, take a look at the splash screen where you will see the Blender
version in the top right-hand corner.
The left side shows you some useful links like the
`release log <http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Ref/Release_Notes/changelog_258/>`__
of the version you are using (what's new in this version), the wiki manual (what you're reading now) and the
`official Blender website <http://www.blender.org>`__.
These links are also accessible from the *Help* menu.
The right side lists recent blender files (.blend) you have saved.
If you're running Blender for the first time, this part will be empty.
This list is also available in :menuselection:`File --> Open Recent`.
The interaction menu lets you choose a keymap preset
(by default, *Blender* or *Maya*) are available.
To start using Blender, you have three options:
- Click on one of the recent files (if you have any)
- Click anywhere else on the screen (except the dark area of the splash screen) or
- Press :kbd:`Esc` to start a new project
Non Overlapping
The UI permits you to view all relevant options and tools at a glance
without pushing or dragging Editors around.
Blender also supports multi-screen setup.
Thus you can open multiple Blender Windows from one Instnace of Blender
and distribute these Windows over multiple monitors (see image above).
Save your work regularly Non Blocking
======================== Tools and interface options do not block the user from any other parts of Blender.
Blender doesn't use pop up boxes which require the user to fill in data before
executing an operation.
Blender does not warn you of any unsaved data when you exit the program, Non Modal
so remember to save often! If you do close Blender without saving your last actions, User input should remain as consistent and predictable as possible
all is not lost. without changing commonly used methods (mouse, keyboard) on the fly.
Just open Blender again and click on *Recover Last Session* in the Splash Screen.
You also have this option in the main menu via :menuselection:`File --> Recover Last Session`.
Screen Elements
==============
.. note:: Temporary ``.blend`` file .. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_05.png
:align: Right
:width: 350
Every time Blender exits, it saves the current data in a temporary ``.blend`` file. Blender's Screen Elements
When you recover your last session, Blender will load the data from that file.
The Blender screen is composed of Editors,
which in turn are composed of Regions of Panels.
Finally, Panels contain Controls and input fields.
And Controls can be Sliders, Checkboxes, Menus,
or more complex Widgets.
Interface concepts The composition of the screen is named "Screen Layout".
================== By default Blender starts up with the default Screen Layout (see image below)
.. figure:: /images/Blender-cross-platform.jpg .. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_02.png
:align: right :align: Center
:width: 250 :width: 100%
Blender's default Screen Layout contains 5 Editors
Blender is developed as cross-platform software which means that its primary target is to work
seamlessly in all major operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS X and Windows.
:sup:`(1)`
Since the Blender interface is based on OpenGL, Anatomy of an Editor
you will find that it is consistent between the major operating systems. ====================
:sup:`(1)` Other operating systems are supported by third party developers through source compilation. .. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_04.png
:align: center
:width: 100%
The 3D View
The 3 Rules In general an Editor opens a view for editing content(data) of a specific part of
=========== Blender. You can think of Blender applications if you like,
where each Editor actually is the application view.
Editors are consistently organized into following parts:
The Blender user interface is based on 3 main principles: Regions (red)
-------------
Regions are vertical (or horizontal) areas on the sides of the Editor.
These areas contain panels and controlls and they can be displayed/hidden
on demand by using hotkeys (see below).
Regions are optional parts of the Editor. When regions are available within
an Editor they take one of the following functional roles:
Non Overlapping * The Toolshelf ( Display Hotkey :kbd:`T` )
The UI permits you to view all relevant options and tools at a glance * The Operator region ( when it is available then its below the toolshelf )
without pushing or dragging windows around\ :sup:`(2)`. * The Properties Sidebar ( Display Hotkey :kbd:`N` )
Non Blocking
Tools and interface options do not block the user from any other parts of Blender.
Blender doesn't pop up requesters that require the user to fill in data before things execute.
Non Modal
User input should remain as consistent and predictable as possible
without changing commonly used methods (mouse, keyboard) on the fly.
:sup:`(2)` However, Blender 2.5 permits multiple windows for multi-screen setup. Headers/Footers (purple)
It is an exception to the *Non overlapping rule*. ------------------------
Headers are horizontal areas at the Top of an Editor mostly used
as containers for icons and menus.
Actually you can flip the location of a Header to the bottom
of the Editor (thus use it as a Footer).
Powerful interface Editor Main Part (green)
================== -----------------------
.. figure:: /images/Opengl.jpg The remaining part of the Editor (marked with a green border
:align: right in the image above ) contains Editor specific elements.
The individual Editor documents describe in more detail
what exactly appears in this area.
Blender's interface is drawn entirely in `OpenGL <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenGL>`__
which allows you to customize your interface to suit your needs.
Windows and other interface elements can be panned, zoomed and their content moved around.
Your screen can be organized exactly to your taste for each specialized task which can then be
named and saved.
Blender also makes heavy use of keyboard shortcuts to speed up your work.
The keymaps can be edited to make memorizing them easier.
Overview
========
Let's have a look at the default interface. It is composed of Editors, Headers,
Context buttons, Regions, Panels and Controls.
Editor
In Blender, we call an **Editor** the parts of the software which have a specific function
(3D view, Properties Editor, Video Sequence Editor, Nodes Editor...).
Each editor has its own *Header* at the top or bottom.
Context buttons
give access to options.
They are like tabs and are often placed on an editor header (like Properties Editor).
Panels Panels
For each editor, options are grouped in *Panels* to logically organize the interface ------
(Shadow panel, Color panel, Dimensions panel...).
Regions
are included in some editors. In that case, panels and controls are grouped there.
For workspace optimization, it is possible to temporarily hide regions with the hotkeys
:kbd:`T` and :kbd:`N` for the Toolbar and Properties Region respectively.
Controls
Panels contain **Controls**.
These can let you modify a function, an option, or a value. In Blender, there are several types of controls:
Buttons .. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_06.png
.. figure:: /images/Button.jpg
:align: right :align: right
Permit access to a tool (Translate, Rotate, Insert Keyframe). The smallest organisational unit in the user interface is a panel.
These tools usually have a keyboard shortcut to speed up your work. This is where the Menus, Text fields, checkboxes etc. are located.
To display the shortcut, just hover your mouse over a button to see the tooltip. Panels can be collapsed and expanded.
Panels can be found in the main area of an Editor, within Regions
and in modal popup boxes (see below).
An editor can have any number of panels.
Checkboxes In the image you see the 3 Panels **Transform**, **Edit**
.. figure:: /images/Checkbox.jpg and **History**. The Edit Panel is expanded. The other 2 Panels are
:align: right collapsed. Note that you can change the order of the Panel appearance
by clicking on the drag handle in the upper right corner of the Panel Title
and then drag the Panel to its new location.
Permit enabling or disabling of an option. This control can only contain a boolean value (True/False, 1/0). .. figure:: /images/clear.png
Sliders
.. figure:: /images/Slider.jpg
:align: right
Allows you to enter floating values. Vertical Tabs
These can be limited (e.g. from 0.0 to 100.0) or not (e.g. from -∞ to +∞). -------------
Notice that two types of sliders exist in Blender.
Menus .. figure:: /images/getting_started_basics_interface_introduction_07.png
.. figure:: /images/List.jpg
:align: right :align: right
Permits a value to be chosen from a list. The Toolshelf Region has been further structured
The difference between this and a Checkbox is that values are into a set of context dependent vertical Tabs.
named and there can be more than two values on these menus. You can think of logical subregions here
which can be opened one by one.
In the Image aside you see the Vertical Tabs **Tools**, **Create**, etc.
The **Tools** Tab is currently Selected
:doc:`Read more about buttons and controls » </getting_started/basics/interface/buttons_and_controls>` Pinning
-------
Often it is desirable to view panels from different
vertical tabs at the same time. This has been solved
by making pannels pinnable. In the image you see the
pinned **Mesh Options** Panel from the Options vertical Tab
although the Tools Vertical tab is currently selected.
.. figure:: /images/Ui-organization.jpg .. note:: ..
:width: 650px A pinned Panel remains visible regardless
:figwidth: 650px which vertical Tab has been selected.
You find the Pin option in the Panel Header ( :kbd:`RMB` then enable the Pin checkmark or :kbd:`SHIFT` :kbd:`LMB`).