Areas

../../_images/interface_window-system_areas_borders.png

Expanse boundaries are indicated by rounded corners (yellow highlights).

The Blender window is divided into a number of rectangles called Areas. Areas reserve screen space for Editors, such as the 3D Viewport or the Outliner. Each editor offers a specific slice of functionality.

Areas are grouped into Workspaces, which are geared towards particular tasks (modeling, animative and so on).

Annotation

While some keyboard shortcuts in Blender are global (such equally Ctrl-Due south for saving), many depend on which editor the mouse cursor is hovering over.

As an example, say yous just selected ii objects in the Outliner and want to join them. If you pressed the shortcut for this ( Ctrl-J ) while the cursor is however in the Outliner, aught would happen as the shortcut isn't valid there; yous first demand to movement your cursor to the 3D Viewport.

Resizing

../../_images/interface_window-system_areas_resize.png

You can resize areas by dragging their borders with LMB. Move your mouse cursor over the edge between two areas, so that the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow, and then click and drag.

Splitting

../../_images/interface_window-system_areas_split.png

Splitting an expanse will create a new area. Placing the mouse cursor in an area corner volition change the cursor to a cross (+) to signal that pressing down LMB volition actuate splitting or joining. Dragging from an surface area corner in will split the surface area. You define the split direction by dragging either horizontally or vertically.

Joining

../../_images/interface_window-system_areas_join.png

Properties is beingness joined to the Outliner.

Dragging from an area corner outward volition join two areas. The area that volition be closed shows a dark overlay. You tin can select which surface area will be airtight by moving the mouse over it. Release the LMB to complete the bring together. If you press Esc or RMB before releasing the mouse, the operation volition be canceled.

Tip

The cursor volition also turn into a cantankerous when hovering over either stop of the border between two areas. When splitting or joining, information technology's best not to start dragging from this border, merely from a corner inside ane of the areas.

Surface area Options

RMB on the border opens the Area Options.

Vertical/Horizontal Split

Shows an indicator line that lets you lot select the surface area and position where to divide. Tab switches between vertical/horizontal.

Join Areas

Shows the join direction overlay.

Swap Areas

Swaps this area with the side by side one.

Swapping Contents

Yous can swap the contents of two areas by pressing Ctrl-LMB on one of the corners of the initial area, dragging towards the target area, and releasing the mouse there. The two areas exercise not need to exist side-by-side, though they must be inside the aforementioned window.

Duplicate Area into new Window

A new floating window containing an expanse can be created from . (Not bachelor in some editors.)

The new window is a fully functional window, which is part of the same instance of Blender. This can be useful, due east.k. if you lot accept multiple monitors.

Yous can also create a new window from an existing expanse by pressing Shift-LMB on an area corner, then dragging outward slightly.

Toggle Maximize Area

Reference

Menu
Shortcut

Ctrl-Spacebar

Expands the Area then it fills the whole window (while keeping the Topbar and Status Bar visible). To return to normal size, use the keyboard shortcut again or click the Back to Previous button in the Topbar.

Toggle Fullscreen Area

Reference

Menu
Shortcut

Ctrl-Alt-Spacebar

Expands the Area and so it fills the whole window, hiding the Topbar, Status Bar, and even the secondary regions (toolbars etc.) of the Area'southward own editor. To render to normal size, apply the keyboard shortcut over again or click the icon in the Surface area's pinnacle right corner (merely becomes visible when hovering).