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Interface Overview

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Substance 3D Modeler

Substance 3D Modeler

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  1. Substance 3D home
  2. Home
  3. Getting started
    1. Install Substance 3D Modeler
    2. System requirements
    3. Public Beta
    4. Supported VR headsets
    5. Desktop and virtual reality
    6. Quick start guides
      1. Desktop quick start guide
      2. VR quick start guide
    7. Controls
      1. Desktop shortcuts and controls
      2. VR shortcuts and controls
    8. Reference images
    9. Join the Community
    10. Glossary
    11. FAQs
  4. Interface
    1. Interface overview
    2. Viewport
    3. The Palette
    4. Actions menu
    5. The Top bar
      1. Top bar overview
      2. Color picker
      3. Materials panel
      4. Assets panel
      5. Environment panel
      6. Viewport panel
      7. Outliner
      8. Node properties panel
    6. The Bottom bar
    7. Preferences
  5. Create with Clay
    1. Tools
      1. Tools and Subtools
      2. Select tool
      3. Clay tool
      4. Erase tool
      5. Split tool
      6. Crop tool
      7. Warp tool
      8. Elastic tool
      9. Smooth tool
      10. Raise tool
      11. Buildup tool
      12. Inflate tool
      13. Crease tool
      14. Flatten tool
      15. Paint tool
    2. Brushes
    3. Brush shapes
    4. Placement modes
    5. Angle and grid snap
  6. Create with Primitives
    1. Get started with primitives
    2. Primitive parameters
      1. Parameter overview
      2. Shape parameters
      3. Combine parameters
    3. Organize primitives
      1. Primitive containers
      2. Manage primitive order
      3. Primitive groups
      4. Repetition
  7. Organize your scene
    1. Scope and scene structure
    2. Layers
    3. Groups
    4. Advanced scene assembly
      1. Instances
      2. Symmetry and repetition
      3. Booleans
    5. Import meshes
  8. Render mode
    1. Render mode overview
    2. Work with cameras
  9. Export Mode
    1. Export your creations
    2. Export presets
  10. Technical support
    1. Technical requirements
    2. How does Modeler work?
    3. Performance
    4. Troubleshooting
    5. Supported file formats
  11. Release notes
    1. V1.17(Current Release)
    2. V1.15
    3. V1.14
    4. V1.13
    5. Public Beta V1.17.50 (Current Release)
    6. Public Beta Archive
      1. Public Beta V1.16.50
      2. Public Beta V1.15.50
      3. Public Beta V1.14.50
      4. Public Beta V1.12.50
      5. Public Beta V1.11.50
      6. Public Beta V1.10.50
      7. Public Beta V1.9.50
      8. Public Beta V1.8.50
    7. V1 Archive
      1. V1.12
      2. V1.11
      3. V1.10
      4. V1.9
      5. V1.8
      6. V1.7
      7. V1.6    
      8. V1.5
      9. V1.4
      10. V1.3
      11. V1.2
      12. V1.1 
      13. V1.0 
    8. V0 Archive
      1. 2022/08/02 V0.17.0
      2. 2022/06/22 V0.14.1
      3. 2022/05/13 V0.10.2

Learn where tools and other functionality can be accessed in Adobe Substance 3D Modeler's interface.

Modeler's interface changes slightly based on whether you're using it in VR or on desktop. On desktop, most interface elements are always visible, while in VR the various panels can be accessed with dedicated controller buttons. 

The diagram below shows the standard desktop configuration.

By default, the following interface elements are visible:
  1. The Top bar
  2. Viewport
  3. Palette
  4. Additional panels
  5. The Bottom bar

The Actions menu isn't visible by default.

A diagram of the Modeler interface

Read on for a basic description of each of Modeler's interface elements. Follow the links to learn more about specific elements.

Viewport

The Viewport is where you can build up and work on your creations. Unlike most aspects of Modeler, the Viewport controls are based on whether you're using a desktop or VR.

The Modeler viewport without other interface elements.
This image shows the Viewport without other Interface elements. You can toggle interface visibility with F8.

Palette

The Palette holds Modeler's tools and tool parameters you can use to customize tool behavior. On desktop, the Palette is always visible, in VR hold S2 to access the Palette.

An image of the Palette with the Select tool equipped.

Additonal panels

At the right side of the Top bar are controls to open the following additional panels:

  • Color picker: As the name suggests, the Color picker allows you to select a color for your clay. In VR point your tool hand at the Color picker symbol on your support hand's wrist.
  • Project stats: See information about your scene and Modeler's performance.
  • Environment panel: Change lighting in both Model and Capture modes.
An image of the color picker.

Actions menu

The Actions menu holds context sensitive actions that help you modify your scene. The Actions menu works closely with the Select tool. On desktop, right click to make the Action menu appear. In VR, move TJ right while the palette is open to see the Actions menu.

An image of the action menu as it appears by default.

Actions in the Actions menu are grouped in sections. Hover over actions for more information on what they do. Actions are context sensitive so they affect your current layer or selected layers.

Related Topics

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If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in the Substance 3D Community. We would love to hear from you and see your creations.

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