The FreeCAD mouse navigation consists of the commands used to visually navigate 3D space and interact with the displayed objects. FreeCAD supports multiple mouse navigation styles. The default navigation style is referred to as CAD Navigation, and is very simple and practical, but FreeCAD also provides several alternative navigation styles to choose from. The selected style is used for all workbenches.
For more information about selecting objects see Selection methods.
For more information about manipulating objects see Std TransformManip.
- Do one of the following:
- Press the [
button in the Status bar. - Right-click an empty area in the 3D view, and select Navigation styles from the context menu.
- Use the Preferences Editor. In the menu select Edit → Preferences and then Display → Navigation → 3D Navigation.
- Press the [
- Select a style from the list.
- Optionally change the Orbit style: press the [ button in the Status bar and then choose Settings → Orbit style. See Preferences Editor.
- Optionally change the Rotation mode. See Preferences Editor.
- If the CAD navigation style is selected: optionally change the Enable animation setting. See Preferences Editor.
The Blender navigation style was modeled after Blender.
{{Blender Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Shift=Shift |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold Shift and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, hold both left and right mouse buttons, and then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. |Rotate_view_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
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.
{{CAD Navigation
|Select_name=Select
|Pan_name=Pan
|Zoom_name=Zoom
|Rotate_view_name=Rotate view
First method
|Rotate_view_alt_name=Rotate view
Alternate method
|Ctrl=Ctrl
|Shift=Shift
|Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Holding down Ctrl allows the selection of multiple objects. |Pan_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. |Pan_mode_text=Pan mode: hold the Ctrl key, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Clicking the middle mouse button re-centers the view on the location of the cursor. |Zoom_mode_text=Zoom mode: hold the Ctrl and Shift keys, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then press and hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.
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. |Rotate_view_mode_text=Rotate mode: hold the Shift key, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_alt_text=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. }}
This style was tailored for use with a touchscreen and pen. Nevertheless, it can also be used with a mouse, and is recommended for use when using a Mac with a trackpad.
{{Gesture Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Tilt_view_name=Tilt view |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Select_gesture_text=Tap to select. |Pan_text=Hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer. |Pan_gesture_text=Drag with two fingers.
Alternatively, tap and hold, then drag. This simulates the pan with the right mouse button. |Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. |Zoom_gesture_text=Drag two fingers (pinch) closer or farther apart. |Rotate_view_text=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. |Rotate_view_gesture_text=Drag with one finger to rotate.
Hold Alt when in the Sketcher. |Tilt_view_text=Hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer sideways. |Tilt_view_gesture_text=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. }}
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.
{{MayaGesture Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Alt=Alt |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold Alt and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Hold Alt and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. |Rotate_view_text=Hold Alt and the left mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
The OpenCascade navigation style was modeled after OpenCascade.
{{OpenCascade Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Ctrl=Ctrl |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Alternatively, hold Ctrl and the left mouse button, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_text=Hold Ctrl and the right mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
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.
{{OpenInventor Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Ctrl=Ctrl |Select_text=Hold Ctrl, then press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=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. |Rotate_view_text=Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
The OpenSCAD navigation style was modeled after OpenSCAD.
(v0.20)
{{OpenSCAD_Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Shift=Shift |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. Alternatively, hold Shift and the right mouse button, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_text=Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
The Revit navigation style was modeled after Revit.
{{Revit Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Shift=Shift |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer.
|Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. |Rotate_view_text=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. }}
The TinkerCAD navigation style was modeled after TinkerCAD.
(v0.20)
{{TinkerCAD Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. |Rotate_view_text=Press the right mouse button, then move the pointer. }}
In Touchpad Navigation, panning, zooming, and rotating the view require a modifier key together with the touchpad.
{{Touchpad Navigation |Select_name=Select |Pan_name=Pan |Zoom_name=Zoom |Rotate_view_name=Rotate view |Shift=Shift |Ctrl=Ctrl |Alt=Alt |PageUp=PageUp |PageDown=PageDown |Select_text=Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select. |Pan_text=Hold Shift, then move the pointer. |Zoom_text=Use PageUp and PageDown to zoom in and out. |Zoom_alt_text=Alternatively, hold Shift and Ctrl, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_text=Hold Alt, then move the pointer. |Rotate_view_alt_text=Alternatively, hold Shift and the left button, then move the pointer. }}
FreeCAD also supports some 3D input devices.
On MacBooks with a trackpad the Gesture navigation works very well, but the gestures have a special meaning:
- Zoom: drag with two fingers.
- Rotate: drag with three fingers.
- Pan: Ctrl + three fingers.
The tutorial Adding a new mouse navigation option to FreeCAD orients developers who want to develop a custom mouse navigation option. Familiarity with the C++ syntax is required.
documentation index > Mouse navigation