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.

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.

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