Interface overview

Learn about the Substance 3D Stager user interface and workspace.

Main navigation bar 

Option Definition
Home Get started creating new projects or open recent files.
Design mode/Render mode

Switch between those modes to split the app into different functional areas with tools and UI for that task.
Share
Find the most common export and publish workflows. 
Learn
Find both in-app and web-based learning resources.

The document name displays in the navigation bar, with a * symbol for unsaved changes. 

Home

Home is where you can create, open, and see recent documents. 

Home helps you get started creating new documents or finding recent projects.
Use Home to get started creating new documents or finding recent projects.

Design mode

Design mode is the editing spaces where you add content and manipulate it to create a composition. 

Design mode helps you stage 3D scenes and create compositions.
Use Design mode to stage 3D scenes and create compositions.

 

Option Definition
Toolbar The toolbar contains tools to interact with scene content. It is also where you access the Assets panel and Render Settings panel. 
Viewport It is a large area in the center of the application window. In Design mode, the viewport is where you interact with the scene content using tools. Learn to navigate around the viewport with the camera controls in the next section of this page.
Viewport control bar This bar manages the render engine, active camera, and viewport settings. 
Scene panel This panel provides an overview of everything in your current scene. This includes models, the environment, cameras, and lights. 
Actions panel This panel is contextual and displays actions for the current selection. 
Properties panel This panel is contextual and displays properties for selected objects. This panel is where to manage deep control of scene content.
Assets panel This panel provides access to the starter assets and Creative Cloud Libraries. 
Render settings panel This panel sets the active render engine and settings. Control the quality of what you see in the viewport and final renders. Render settings are shared between modes.

Render mode

Render mode is where you can create final quality images and setup multiple renders. 

Render Mode helps you create final quality rendered images.
Use Render Mode to create final quality rendered images.

Option Definition
Viewport It is is the large area in the center of the application window. In Render mode the viewport shows the final rendered images at pixel accurate size.
Render Settings panel
This panel sets the active render engine and settings. Control the quality of what you see in the viewport and final renders. Render settings are shared between modes.
Export Settings panel
This panel sets which cameras to export, and the format and save location.
Render Status panel
This panel shows the status of renders as they complete.

Camera controls

You can move the camera using three tools:

  • The Orbit tool rotates the camera.
  • The Pan tool moves the camera left and right, up and down.
  • The Dolly tool moves the camera forwards and backwards.

Each of the camera tools is available in the toolbar or through the tool access shortcuts below. You can use the quick access shortcuts to temporarily switch from your original tool to the camera controls. Once you release the shortcut, your original tool will be available again.

Default shortcuts are shown

Tool access

Quick access

Orbit tool

1

Alt + Right Click 

Pan tool

2

Alt + Middle Click

Dolly tool

3

Alt + Left Click

Use F to move the camera to focus on your selection. If you have nothing selected, F will focus on all the objects in your scene. 

Use cameras to navigate a 3D scene.

What's Next?

You now know all about Stager's user interface and workspace. Now start your first project and learn more on how to arrange objects in the 3D space to create a scene.

Have a question or an idea?

If you have a question to ask, come and participate in the Substance 3D Stager community. We would love to hear from you. 

You can also share your ideas of new features with us!

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Adobe MAX

The Creativity Conference

Oct 14–16 Miami Beach and online

Adobe MAX 2024

Adobe MAX
The Creativity Conference

Oct 14–16 Miami Beach and online

Adobe MAX

The Creativity Conference

Oct 14–16 Miami Beach and online