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+# ![](images/polypen-icon.png) PolyPen Help
+
+Shortcut: {{polypen tool}}
+
+The PolyPen tool provides absolute control for creating complex topology on a vertex-by-vertex basis (e.g., low-poly game models).
+This tool lets you insert vertices, extrude edges, fill faces, and transform the subsequent geometry all within one tool and in just a few clicks.
+
+![](images/help_polypen.png)
+
+## Creating
+
+|  |  |  |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| {{insert}} | : | insert geometry connected to selected geometry |
+
+## Selecting
+
+|  |  |  |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| {{select single, select single add}} | : | select geometry |
+| {{select paint, select paint add}}   | : | paint geometry selection |
+| {{select path add}}                  | : | select along shortest path |
+| {{select all}}                       | : | select / deselect all |
+| {{deselect all}}                     | : | deselect all |
+
+
+## Transforming
+
+|  |  |  |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| {{grab}}             | : | grab and move selected geometry |
+| {{action}}           | : | grab and move selected geometry under mouse |
+| {{smooth edge flow}} | : | smooths edge flow of selected geometry |
+| {{rotate}}           | : | rotate selected geometry |
+| {{scale}}            | : | scale selected geometry |
+
+## Other
+
+|  |  |  |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| {{delete}}   | : | delete/dissolve/collapse selected |
+| {{rip}}      | : | rip selected edge |
+| {{rip fill}} | : | rip and fill selected edge |
+
+
+## Insertion Modes
+
+Creating vertices/edges/faces is dependent on the selected mode and the selected geometry.
+Switch between modes using the PolyPen Options, or hold {{pie menu alt0}} to bring up a the PolyPen pie menu.
+
+![](images/help_polypen_modes_options_pie.png max-height:250px)
+
+
+
+### Triangle/Quad Insert Mode
+
+The Tri/Quad mode is the normal mode for PolyPen.
+
+- When nothing is selected, a new vertex is added.
+- When a single vertex is selected, an edge is added between mouse and selected vertex.
+- When an edge is selected, a triangle is added between mouse and selected edge.
+- When a triangle is selected, a vertex is added to the triangle, turning the triangle into a quad
+
+Selecting an edge and clicking onto another edge will create a quad in one step.
+
+### Quad-Only Insert Mode
+
+The Quad-Only mode reduces the number of clicks for creating a strip of quads.
+
+- When nothing is selected, a new vertex is added.
+- When a single vertex is selected, an edge is added between mouse and selected vertex.
+- When an edge is selected, an edge is added centered on the mouse, and a quad is added between the selected and newly added edges.
+
+Selecting an edge and clicking onto another edge will create a quad in one step.
+
+### Triangle-Only Insert Mode
+
+The Tri-Only mode is similar to the Tri/Quad mode, except without the step that turns the selected triangle into a quad.
+
+- When nothing is selected, a new vertex is added.
+- When a single vertex is selected, an edge is added between mouse and selected vertex.
+- When an edge is selected, a triangle is added between mouse and selected edge.
+
+### Edge-Only Insert Mode
+
+The Edge-Only mode inserts only edges.
+
+- When nothing is selected, a new vertex is added.
+- When a single vertex is selected, an edge is added between mouse and selected vertex.
+
+
+## Additional Tips
+
+The PolyPen tool can be used like a knife, cutting vertices into existing edges for creating new topology routes.