Sculpting tool hotkeys

Note:
If you are on macOS, use the following special keys instead of their Windows equivalents unless otherwise specified:
  • Alt = Option
  • Ctrl = Control
  • Windows key = Command
In addition if you have a one or two-button mouse on macOS, make sure to set the Mouse Tracking option in the Interface Preferences as appropriate.

Action

Windows

Mac OS X

Results

Adjust brush size

B + drag or middle mouse button (MMB)-drag left/right

B + drag or MMB-drag left/right

The tool cursor resizes larger and smaller as you drag.

Adjust brush size from 0

B + MMB-drag left/right or Ctrl + MMB-drag left/right

B + MMB-drag left/right or Ctrl + MMB-drag left/right

The tool cursor resizes larger and smaller as you drag.

Adjust brush strength

M + drag or MMB-drag up/down

M + drag or MMB-drag up/down

The brush strength indicator lengthens or shortens as you drag.

Adjust brush strength from 0

M + MMB-drag up/down or Ctrl + MMB-drag up/down

M + MMB-drag up/down or Ctrl + MMB-drag up/down

The brush strength indicator lengthens or shortens as you drag.

Invert

Ctrl

Ctrl

If the current tool has an inverse function, the inverse function is applied as you sculpt.

The tool's brush ring turns white when Invert is active.

Averaged Normal

Ctrl

Ctrl

Pulls vertices within the brush along their averaged normal.

The tool's brush ring turns white when Averaged Normal is active.

Note: Averaged Normal is specific to the Grab sculpting tool

Invert Frozen

Ctrl + Shift + I

Ctrl + Shift + I

Reverse the frozen and unfrozen parts of the active mesh.

Unfreeze All

Shift + U

Shift + U

Removes all of the freezing on the active mesh when you are using any of the sculpting tools.

Activate the Smooth tool temporarily

Shift

Shift

Temporarily smooths vertices, no matter which tool is active. (Releasing the Shift key reverts to the selected tool function.)

The tool's brush ring turns light blue when Smooth is active.

Relax

Ctrl + Shift

Ctrl + Shift

Smooth the surface of a mesh without affecting its shape.

The tool's brush ring turns light yellow when Relax is active.

Add a sculpting tool to the active shelf

Ctrl + Shift

Ctrl + Shift

Ctrl + Shift-drag menu items from the Mesh Tools > Sculpting Tools menu to the shelf.

Frame the area of the mesh under the cursor

F

F

When the cursor is over the active sculpting mesh, the camera zooms in to the region under the cursor.

Tumble around the part of the mesh being sculpted

Turn on Tumble pivot and Automatically set tumble pivot, (View > Camera Tools > Tumble Tool > ),then Alt-drag

Turn on Tumble pivot and Automatically set tumble pivot, (View > Camera Tools > Tumble Tool > ),then Alt-drag

Tumbles the camera around the beginning point of the most recent stroke. If there is no stroke to consider, the camera tumbles about the center of view.

Open the Sculpting Tools Marking Menu

Ctrl + right-click or Shift right-click when a sculpting tool is active

Ctrl + right-click or Shift right-click when a sculpting tool is active

Opens the Sculpting Tools Marking Menu.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Sculpt Tool

Ctrl + 1

Ctrl + 1

Activates the Sculpt Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Smooth Tool

Ctrl + 2

Ctrl + 2

Activates the Smooth Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Relax Tool

Ctrl + 3

Ctrl + 3

Activates the Relax Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Grab Tool

Ctrl + 4

Ctrl + 4

Activates the Grab Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Pinch Tool

Ctrl + 5

Ctrl + 5

Activates the Pinch Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Flatten Tool

Ctrl + 6

Ctrl + 6

Activates the Flatten Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Foamy Tool

Ctrl + 7

Ctrl + 7

Activates the Foamy Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Spray Tool

Ctrl + 8

Ctrl + 8

Activates the Spray Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Repeat Tool

Ctrl + 9

Ctrl + 9

Activates the Repeat Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

Switch to Freeze Tool

Ctrl + 0

Ctrl + 0

Activates the Freeze Tool.

(Another sculpting tool must already be selected.)

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