Mouse navigation

From FreeCAD Documentation
Revision as of 16:33, 11 April 2019 by Renatorivo (talk | contribs) (Marked this version for translation)
Getting started
Navigation Cube

The FreeCAD mouse model consists of the commands used to visually navigate the 3D space and interact with the objects displayed. FreeCAD supports multiple mouse model navigation styles. The default navigation style is referred to as "CAD Navigation," and is very simple and practical, but FreeCAD also provides alternative navigation styles which you can choose according to your preferences.

Navigation

The mouse gestures used for object manipulation vary depending on the Navigation style selected; the currently selected style is used for all workbenches.

There are two ways to change the navigation style:

  • In the Preferences Editor, Edit → Preferences → Display → 3D View → 3D Navigation.
  • By right-clicking in empty space in the 3D view, then selecting Navigation style →... in the contextual menu.

CAD Navigation

This is the default navigation style. It allows the user a simple control of the view, and does not require the use of keyboard keys except to make multi-selections.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
First method
Rotate view
Alternate method
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.

Holding down Ctrl allows the selection of multiple objects.

Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Clicking the middle mouse button re-centers the view on the location of the cursor.

Hold the middle mouse button, then press and hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.

The cursor location when the middle mouse button is pressed determines the center of rotation. Rotation works like spinning a ball which rotates around its center. If the buttons are released before you stop the mouse motion, the view continues spinning, if this is enabled.

A double click with the middle mouse button sets a new center of rotation.

Hold the middle mouse button, then press and hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer.

With this method the middle mouse button may be released after the right mouse button is held pressed.

Users who use the mouse with their right hand may find this method easier than the first method.

Ctrl+ Ctrl+Shift+ Shift+
Pan mode: hold the Ctrl key, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. introduced in version 0.17 Zoom mode: hold the Ctrl and Shift keys, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. introduced in version 0.17 Rotate mode: hold the Shift key, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. introduced in version 0.17

OpenInventor Navigation

OpenInventor navigation (formerly Inventor) was modeled after Open Inventor. In order to select objects, you must hold down the Ctrl key.

This mode is not based on Autodesk Inventor.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
{{{Shift}}}+
Hold Ctrl, then press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Alternatively, hold the middle mouse button, then press and hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.

Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.

Blender Navigation

The Blender navigation style was modeled after Blender. Previously there was no mouse-only panning; it always required holding the Shift key. This changed in 2016, now you can hold both left and right mouse buttons to pan.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
Shift+
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold Shift and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.

Alternatively, hold both left and right mouse buttons, and then move the pointer.

Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.

Touchpad Navigation

In Touchpad Navigation, panning, zooming, and rotating the view require a modifier key together with the touchpad.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
Shift+ PageUp, PageDown Alt+
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold Shift, then move the pointer. Use PageUp and PageDown to zoom in and out. Hold Alt, then move the pointer.
Ctrl+Shift+ Shift+
Alternatively, hold Shift and Ctrl, then move the pointer. Alternatively, hold Shift and the left button, then move the pointer.

Gesture Navigation

This style was introduced in version 0.16, and was tailored for use with a touchscreen and pen. Nevertheless, it can also be used with a mouse.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view Tilt view
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.

In Sketcher and other edit modes, this behavior is disabled. Hold Alt when pressing the mouse button to enter rotation mode.

To set the camera's focus point for rotation, click a point with the middle mouse button. Alternatively, aim the cursor at a point and press H on the keyboard.

Hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer sideways.
Tap to select. Drag with two fingers.

Alternatively, tap and hold, then drag. This simulates the pan with the right mouse button.

Drag two fingers (pinch) closer or farther apart. Drag with one finger to rotate.

Hold Alt when in the Sketcher.

Rotate the imaginary line formed by two touch points.

On v0.18 this method is disabled by default. To enable, go to Edit → Preferences → Display, and untick "Disable touchscreen tilt gesture" checkbox.

Maya-Gesture Navigation

In Maya-Gesture Navigation, panning, zooming, and rotating the view require the Alt key together with a mouse button; therefore, a three-button mouse is required. It's also possible to use gestures as this mode was developed over the Gesture Navigation mode.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
Alt+ Alt+ Alt+
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold Alt and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. Hold Alt and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.

Alternatively, use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Hold Alt and the left mouse button, then move the pointer.


Revit Navigation

This style was introduced in version 0.18.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
Shift+


Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.

Alternatively, hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer.

Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. Hold Shift and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.

Alternatively, hold the middle mouse button, then press and hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer.

OpenCascade

This style was introduced in version 0.18.

Select Pan Zoom Rotate view
Ctrl+ Ctrl+ Ctrl+


Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Alternatively, hold Ctrl and the left mouse button, then move the pointer.

Hold Ctrl and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.

Selecting objects

Simple selection

Objects can be selected by a click with the left mouse button either by clicking on the object in the 3D-view or by selecting it in the tree view.

Preselection

There is also a Preselection mechanism that highlights objects and displays information before selection by just hovering the mouse over the objects. If you don't like this behaviour or you have a slow machine, you can switch preselection off in the preferences.

Manipulating Objects

FreeCAD offers manipulators that are handles that can be used to modify an object's appearance, shape, or other parameters.

The clipping plane is an example of an object with manipulators. A clipping plane can be activated with the menu View → Clipping Plane.

Hardware support

FreeCAD also supports some 3D input devices.

Mac OS X Issues

Recently we got reports on the forum from Mac users that those mouse button and key combination do not work as expected. Unfortunately, none of the developers owns a Mac, neither do the other regular contributors. We need your help to determine which mouse buttons and key combination work so we can update this wiki.

Getting started
Navigation Cube