PolyPen Help

Shortcut: {{ site.data.keymaps.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.

Creating

| :--- | :--- | :--- | | {{ site.data.keymaps.insert }} | : | insert geometry connected to selected geometry |

Selecting

| :--- | :--- | :--- | | {{ site.data.keymaps.select_single }}, {{ site.data.keymaps.select_single_add }} | : | select geometry | | {{ site.data.keymaps.select_paint }}, {{ site.data.keymaps.select_paint_add }} | : | paint geometry selection | | {{ site.data.keymaps.select_path_add }} | : | select along shortest path | | {{ site.data.keymaps.select_all }} | : | select / deselect all | | {{ site.data.keymaps.deselect_all }} | : | deselect all |

Transforming

| :--- | :--- | :--- | | {{ site.data.keymaps.grab }} | : | grab and move selected geometry | | {{ site.data.keymaps.action }} | : | grab and move selected geometry under mouse | | {{ site.data.keymaps.smooth_edge_flow }} | : | smooths edge flow of selected geometry | | {{ site.data.keymaps.rotate }} | : | rotate selected geometry | | {{ site.data.keymaps.scale }} | : | scale selected geometry |

Other

| :--- | :--- | :--- | | {{ site.data.keymaps.delete }} | : | delete/dissolve/collapse selected | | {{ site.data.keymaps.rip }} | : | rip selected edge | | {{ site.data.keymaps.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 {{ site.data.keymaps.pie_menu_alt0 }} to bring up a the PolyPen pie menu.

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.

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