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blender-portable-repo/scripts/addons/RetopoFlow/help/polypen.md
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2026-03-17 14:30:01 -06:00

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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.