Where’d that button go?
Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by Andrew Price in Articles
When you open the brand new Blender 2.5 Alpha version, you will notice that a lot has changed. For one, buttons are now vertical, and most of them have new icons and names.
When they rebuilt Blender from the ground up, a few things were moved for the better. You know all those “industry professionals” that complain how awful the Blender interface is? Well these changes were designed to keep them happy. Most of your favourite functions are still there, just hiding.
This 2.5 interface guide should get you back on the straight and narrow. I have tried to include all the frequently used functions, as well as common blunders encountered when using Blender 2.5 for the first time.
Set Smooth/Solid
Previously…
Now…
Add Menu
Previously…
Now…
Join screen
Previously…
Now…
(similarly, dragging the cursor in the opposite direction splits the screen)
Spin/Screw/Flip Normals/Rem Doubles
Previously…
Now…
Background Image
Previously…
Now…
Logic buttons
Previously…
Now…
IPO Curve
Previously…
Now…
Move Header
Previously…
Now…
Buttons
Side-by-side comparison…
Window type
Side-by-side comparison…
Radiosity buttons
Previously…
Now…
Missing something?
There’s a chance that the button you’re looking for is not actually hardwired into blender yet. But fear not! Because a useful function has been added that lets you create your own button.
For example, I use the ‘Center New’ button constantly, but strangely it’s missing from Blender 2.5.
Here’s how to add it to your toolbar:
You can do this for virtually any function in Blender. So if you’re tired of looking for a lost button, this can provide a temporary fix.
That concludes the Blender 2.5 interface guide. Was it useful? Is it missing something? It is by no means complete, so if you think something should be on the list, drop a comment below and I’ll see if I can help!
Extensor
30. Nov, 2009
Glad I could help.
I’m using the 64 bit version on a Core 2 Duo iMac.
Andrew Price
30. Nov, 2009
@Extensor Just tried the Shift-Click on the screen splitter. Really cool! Not sure when I’ll use it, but I’m sure it’ll come in handy. Thanks!
@Potado I am fairly sure Retopo is not included in 2.5 Alpha yet. I have seen the question brought up a lot on message boards and I have yet to see an answer. I could be wrong of course.
Tynach
30. Nov, 2009
How do you center the view to the cursor? In 2.4x, it was the ‘c’ button, which was useful since my left hand is always hovering over that area of my keyboard (one reason why I moved ‘open default file’ function back to Ctrl+X, while the new default is Ctrl+N).
I can’t find it anywhere right now, though.
Extensor
30. Nov, 2009
@Tynatch – Try Control . (the period key on your num keypad) to center on cursor.
@ Andrew Price – no prob. Oh and thanks for all the great info on your twitter!
riaHK
30. Nov, 2009
when I add new Cylinder, how can I change Radius, Height, Vertices…. those params are not available in 2.5
and how can I change the size of the buttons so it fits the containing windows
Again, I have to say this interface is SEXXXXY, though it’s confused in first time ^^
Thanks to all the developers
Extensor
30. Nov, 2009
riaHK,
When you add a new mesh type you should see an Add Cube (or whatever you added) with a triangle thingy next to it at the bottom of the Tool Shelf panel. Click on the triangle to reveal the settings you are looking for.
Cursor over the buttons window and press the + or – on your num pad to change the size of the buttons.
riaHK
01. Dec, 2009
thanks Extensor, it works
to those who want to adjust the 2.5 interface to look like 2.49: you just open a .blend file that created in 2.49 and you got the 2.49 interface
Spender
01. Dec, 2009
riaHK
OK but surprising.
At my iMac dock i have two Blender ikons. One is Blender 2.49b beside him I have Blender 2.50.
If I press on ikon 2.49.b is everything 2.50 except for the interface?
I you say yes. Why we need this complicated 2.50 interface as take ages to learn if I have everything from 2.50 underneth the 2.49b.
Thank in advance.
riaHK
01. Dec, 2009
to Spender:
I’m sorry, it’s NO.
maybe you misunderstood, clicking 2.49 icon will bring the Blender version 2.49, and clicking 2.5 icon bring the version 2.5. These 2 are different (in features and interface) as they are contained in different folders in your machine.
In my previous post, I mean you created a .blend file in 2.49, then open it in 2.5 and you got the 2.49 interface
Cheers
spender
01. Dec, 2009
riaHK, Thanks for helping.
Normaly i think it take few years to learn Blender to be good enugh. I started with 2.43 and that was a easy way to learn step by step. 2,44-2.45-2.46-2.47-2.48 and 2.49.
I am little bit worried.
If I need to change over to 2.50 I need ( long )time to learn and start from scratch. Same if I change to Maya as I never been working on.
If I could continue from 2.49.b 2.50-2.51-2.52 + + + not so big step from each other.
Anyhow, Thaths exiting with new things.
Regards
Andrew Price
01. Dec, 2009
@spender
I think you might be looking too much into it.
Some key functions and features are missing because it’s the Alpha release, but most of it’s the same.
I basically wrote this article on the fly in about 6 hours, and feel as though I’ve grasped most of it. I really don’t think it’s as serious as picking up a new piece of software.
But for the record, I am still using 2.49 for most of my work. I am currently only using 2.5A if I have to use a new feature, ie. Smoke Simulation.
So if you want to save yourself a headache, do what I’m doing and wait for the official release
Spender
01. Dec, 2009
Andrew Price. I am very happy with Blender and 2.49b doing everything I need. Six months from now I am sure I understand more abouth 2.50.
Thanks
JacobM
01. Dec, 2009
Do you think it is worth using the 2.5 alpha for rendering raytraced images?
jadhav333
02. Dec, 2009
the new ‘Add Tool’ command is cool.. but how do we remove a tool that we have added.. maybe cox I may not need it any longer.. or if I have added a tool by mistake. .Thx
Michael A. Beaver
02. Dec, 2009
It should be understood that 2.5A is a test vehicle so the devs can somewhat arbitrarily put a stake in the ground vis-a-vis the features they are implementing. Your tutorial and the tuts from mfoxdogg make my 2.5 testing easier. I luckily know python3 quite well and marvel at the transformation which is going on at the code level. Lets face it — large parts of 2.4x blender code were unmaintainable.
Keep up the great work. We all need lots of help with all the changes which have been made to hot keys, UI and added features. Since the program can now be controlled by the user with Python3 this opens up a whole new dimension to art, creativity and new paths.
My web site is under construction. Not much to see. In fact nothing.
SLB
03. Dec, 2009
Hello, it seems I can’t find the bake button to bake my textures and save their images on files, either it seems I can’t save animations. Aren’t these functions implemented yet or I just can’t locate them? Thanks
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FloridaJo
04. Dec, 2009
How do you remove a tool from the Tool shelf that one has added?
Bravo Zulu
08. Dec, 2009
Well, the workflow is different, but what can we do?
Thanks for showing us some of the changes, it will make the transition somewhat more bearable.
Bravo Zulu
08. Dec, 2009
Maybe they should write a new Essential Blender 2.5…
talachem
09. Dec, 2009
Does the spacenavigator from 3dconnexion still work? Since I’m using one on 2.49b, it changed a whole lot for me.
The Blendmaster#1024
09. Dec, 2009
WHERE THE HE!! IS “play rendered animation” got to!?
Karl
10. Dec, 2009
I can’t seem to find the load button to load a font… I’m on a mac with Snow Leopard
The Blendmaster#1024
10. Dec, 2009
did you try the tool shelf trick? and it should’nt matter that you’re on a mac.
rovy
10. Dec, 2009
does someone know how to get a render preview? shift+P doesnt seem to work…
Aussiedude
12. Dec, 2009
I think 2.50 is great, lots and lots of improvements, even now while it’s still in alpha and is miles away from being finished. I think though that there is a lot of stuff about the 2.49 interface that was in some ways a lot easier than new 2.50 interface. Hopefully when the team working on blender are finished they’ll be able to combine the good and bad from 2.49 and 2.50 together eh?
I’m also glad to hear that there is customisable keyboard shortcuts, because I think spacebar is much easier for the add menu. XD
orlando
19. Dec, 2009
I love this version dont give me such a headache. Great design for the best free editor. Im recommending this to all I know.
AlienMudPig
19. Dec, 2009
Wow…it sucks that background images don’t work. I’d have thought background images would be pretty basic functionality.
Has anyone figured out a way to load them?
Baldmartyr
22. Dec, 2009
Adding a background image:
1. Display the UV/Image Editor window
2. Click ‘Image’ to open an image. Navigate to desired image.
3. Display the 3D View window
4. Press NKEY to display Properties bar.
5. Check ‘Background Image’
6. Click on image field to display drop down box and select the image you just opened from within the UV/Image Editor window.
AlienMudPig
22. Dec, 2009
@Baldmartyr,
Awesome! Thank you very much for the instructions it worked perfectly. I never would have thought about loading it into the Image Editor first but I guess it makes sense.
Thanks again!
AlienMudPig
23. Dec, 2009
I don’t know if you guys know this already, because I certainly didn’t, but you can download new Blender 2.5 builds as they are created from http://www.graphicall.org.
I just got the latest version and tons of things are fixed including loading background images.
Quantum Anomaly
26. Dec, 2009
Thanks a million for posting this guide! I would never have found the “Center New” feature without it.
Blender 2.5 is awesome, btw… even in its alpha stage. I’m so happy I can run Blender natively on my MacBook now and don’t have to use a VM anymore to work around the infamous Leopard / Intel GMA bug.
Thanks for making it easier to learn this new version quickly!
JohnF
26. Dec, 2009
I don’t know if the hotkey is just not assigned yet, but I found you can change crease by pressing the NKEY for the properties panel (I think it is) – you’ll find it in the “transform” drop-down, near the top. Extensor mentions it’s in the Transform menu, but I did not find it by pressing the TKEY.
The hot key would be nice to have back, and with it mouse control of creasing.
Tom
28. Dec, 2009
Is there a way to open the tool tray in its own window like the old buttons window, or at least force the display of all the tools at one time, even if collapsed?
I’m spending a lot of time at work and only have a little time to blend right now, but I’m trying to adjust to what went where and that is probably my biggest complaint right now…sure I have some other problems with the new UI, but those might be able to be overlooked with the new features.
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Ænima
10. Jan, 2010
Spender. Use Set Origin instead Set Center.
Devyn
20. Jan, 2010
If I’m running a fluid or smoke simulation, how can I tell what progress is being made? This new version doesn’t appear to have a progress bar for that, so you have to guess.
Devyn
20. Jan, 2010
Speaking of which, where did “TraShadow” go?
Erik
22. Jan, 2010
blender 5 is the same the same thing if u ask me but blender 4.9 can do more and u can change the look of blender 4.9 easily to the same look if u ask me blender 5 was a waste of time and money thats if the have to pay to make blender but still its a waste of time
Devyn
22. Jan, 2010
@Erik
Not true!
a) Blender is a fully open-source not-for-profit project run by the community.
b) A TON has changed at the scripting level, which will allow rapid development of plugins.
c) Personally, I find the UI a lot easier to work with. The eyecandy helps too =D
d) Sorry to be a versioning snob, but not “blender 5″ and “blender 4.9,” it’s “blender 2.50″ and “blender 2.49″ =P
salvis
31. Jan, 2010
Is it possible to “record to IPO” with the game physics simulation. In 2.49, this was under the “Game” menu…I can’t find it in 2.50 and don’t know what the similar command is.
Tyler
31. Jan, 2010
In the old blender to select certain vertices you could hit b twice for a circle thing to pop up. Now it doesn’t come up. Where is it? Is it gone??
Tyler
31. Jan, 2010
“In the old blender to select certain vertices you could hit b twice for a circle thing to pop up. Now it doesn’t come up. Where is it? Is it gone??”
DRX
04. Feb, 2010
Hello Andrew. I love interface of previous versions Blender. Can i modified interface of 2.5 to “usual” ? I have widescreen monitor, why i can use unuseable vertical menu ? I think 2.49b will be a last version, that i will be use. Very sad =(
Andrew Price
04. Feb, 2010
The vertical menu is perfect for widescreen monitor! It gives you bigger viewport!
You can of course reconfigure your layout like the old one very easily. Simply open an old .blend file from 2.49 and voila! The old layout should be loaded
Andrew Price
08. Feb, 2010
@salvis
I too would like to know this. I was needing the “record to IPO” feature in my last animation but couldn’t find it. So I just used 2.49, then later imported the objects into 2.5