# substance modeler notes
Here are some things I want to build resources for, as well as important hotkeys for working with Modeler.
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## interface & concepts
- desktop shortcuts and controls
- interface breakdown
- different palettes
- action menu
- gizmo - orbit, pan, zoom
- action menu
- bottom bar
- placement - gizmo, surface
- layers are used to separate objects. can only work on current layer. other layers will be grayer and dull to show they are inactive.
- scoping/focus is switching into or out of different layers for working.
- grouping/ungroup
- instances
- hide/unhide
- merge
- duplicate
- resolution
- save/export
- topology
- UV mapping
### interface stuff
- ALT-mouse keys - camera controls, zoom, pan, etc.
- F - frame the scene to zoom in on object or scene. recenter view
- space - duplicate current object or use current sculpt tool
- tools panel on left - main tools and settings
- actions panel - right-click in scene to get relevant options for selected object or tool
- color picker - top-right
- bottom bar - along bottom with scene navigator and quick-actions
can change to left-handed settings to flip interface layout **Preferences > Desktop > Lefthanded toggle box**
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## create & modify
- tools
- select tool
- clay tool
- erase tool
- warp tool
- buildup tool
- smooth tool
- crease
- inflate
- paint
- brush settings
- change tool sizes
- symmetry - radial, linear
- repetition
- booleans
- stamps - make your own tool
- erase, split, crop
### sculpting tools basics
there’s a lot more in the interface. need to dig deeper for all the settings.
- colored gizmo - arrow move along axis, center of circle ring, move 3d plan, circle ring to rotate object
- CTRL during rotate to snap to angles
- R (once) - reset manipulation
- R (twice) - reset to origin
- white dot on face - non-uniform scaling along axis
- floating white dot - uniform scaling
- S - select tool
- adjust tool settings to adjust shape parameters. varies depending on primitive shape.
- CTRL - arrow - flip shape along axis
- CTRL - ring - rotate 90 degrees
- E - erase tool
- C - clay tool
- TAB - cycle through tools
- SHIFT - switch to Smooth tool
- W - warp and stretch clay to give a more organic look
- Elastic option preserves mass so good for building in squash and stretch
- symmetry
- layering
- splitting
- grouping
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tags: #3d #resources #substance #modeler
home: [[! 3d modeling - substance]]