Navigation styles
Mouse navigation
Overview
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.
Selecting a navigation style
- 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.
- 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.
Available navigation styles
Blender navigation
The Blender navigation style was modeled after Blender.
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
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
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Rotate view
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
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
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Hold down Ctrl to select multiple objects.
Pan
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Pan mode: hold the
Ctrlkey, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer.
Zoom
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: hold the
CtrlandShiftkeys, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer.
Rotate view (First method)
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 (Alternate method)
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.
Rotate mode: hold the
Shiftkey, press the right mouse button once, then move the pointer.
Gesture navigation
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.
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Tap to select.
Pan
Hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
Drag with two fingers.
Alternatively, tap and hold, then drag. This simulates the pan with the right mouse button.
Zoom
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Drag two fingers (pinch) closer or farther apart.
Rotate view
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.
Drag with one finger to rotate.
Hold Alt when in the Sketcher.
Tilt view
Hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer sideways.
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 style was developed over the Gesture navigation style.
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold Alt and the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Hold Alt and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Rotate view
Hold Alt and the left mouse button, then move the pointer.
OpenCascade navigation
The OpenCascade navigation style was modeled after OpenCascade.
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Alternatively, hold Ctrl and the left mouse button, then move the pointer.
Rotate view
Hold Ctrl and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
OpenInventor navigation
OpenInventor navigation (formerly Inventor) was modeled after Open Inventor. In order to select objects, you must hold down the Shift or Ctrl key.
This style is not based on Autodesk Inventor.
Select
Hold Shift, then press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Hold down Ctrl instead to select multiple objects.
Pan
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Zoom
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
Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.
OpenSCAD navigation
The OpenSCAD navigation style was modeled after OpenSCAD. introduced in version 0.20
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, hold Shift and the right mouse button, then move the pointer.
Rotate view
Hold the left mouse button, then move the pointer.
Revit navigation
The Revit navigation style was modeled after Revit.
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, hold both left and right mouse buttons, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Rotate view
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.
TinkerCAD navigation
The TinkerCAD navigation style was modeled after TinkerCAD. introduced in version 0.20
Select
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold the middle mouse button, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Rotate view
Press the right 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
Press the left mouse button over an object you want to select.
Pan
Hold Shift, then move the pointer.
Zoom
Use PageUp and PageDown to zoom in and out.
Alternatively, hold
CtrlandShift, then move the pointer.
Rotate view
Hold Alt, then move the pointer.
Alternatively, hold Shift and the left button, then move the pointer.
Hardware support
FreeCAD also supports some 3D input devices.
Recommended navigation for macOS
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.
Developing a custom navigation
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.