The OopsWindow

Oops Toolbar

WindowType

As with every window header, the first button allows you to set the window type.

Full Window

Maximise the window, or return to the previous window display size; return to the previous screen setting (CTRL-UPARROW).

Home

All visible blocks are displayed completely, centered in the window (HOME).

View Zoom

Move the mouse to zoom in or out of the OopsWindow. This is an alternative to CTRL-MMB.

View Border

Draw a frame to indicate what part of the OopsWindow should be displayed in the full window.

Visible Select

This row of buttons determines what types of DataBlocks must be displayed. Relations between blocks are only shown if both blocks are visible. These are:

  • Lay: the layer setting of the Scene determines what Objects are drawn.

  • Scene: all Scenes present are displayed.

  • Object: all Objects of all visible Scenes are displayed, possibly limited by the "Lay" option.

  • Mesh

  • Curve: this is also for Surface and Font blocks.

  • MetaBall

  • Lattice

  • Lamp

  • Material

  • Texture

  • Ipo

  • Library

OopsWindow

The OopsWindow gives a schematic overview of the current structure. Blender is based on an Object-Oriented Programming System (OOPS!). The building blocks are universal DataBlocks that are assigned relationships using links. The different DataBlocks in the OopsWindow can be recognised by an icon and the colour. The DataBlocks have a clearly visible 'entrance' and 'exit' between which link lines are drawn. The current Scene and the active Object have a frame with a dashed line.

The functionality of the OopsWindow is limited to visualisation. Links are created using the available HotKeys (CTRL-L in the 3DWindow) and with the DataButtons in the Headers. Selected Objects are also selected in the OopsWindow, and vice versa.

In the accompanying example, we see the Scene at the bottom, with four linked Object blocks. The Object blocks have links to the specific ObData; such as Mesh, Surface, Lamp. The Materials ("Brown" and "SeaGreen") are linked to the ObData and the Texture is linked to a Material.

The mouse

LMB and drag

These are the Gestures. Blender's gesture recognition works in two ways here:

  • Draw a straight line: start translation mode.

  • Draw a V-shaped line: start scaling mode.

MMB and drag

The view is translated.

CTRL-MMB and drag

Zoom in or out of the OopsWindow.

RMB

Select works here in the normal fashion: normally a maximum of one DataBlock is selected. Use SHIFT to enlarge or reduce the selection (extend select).

RMB and drag

Select and start translation mode, the Grabber.

SHIFT-RMB

Add/remove from selection.

CTRL-RMB

This selects and activates a DataBlock. This only works for Scenes and Objects.

The HotKeys

NUM+ NUM-

Zoom in, zoom out.

HOME

All visible blocks are displayed completely, centred in the window.

KEY1, KEY2...KEY0

The visible layers of the current Scene can be set. e SHIFT for extend select.

AKEY

Select All / deselect All. If one block is selected, everything is first eselected.

BKEY

Border select. Draw a rectangle with the LMB; all blocks that ll within this rectangle are selected. Draw a ctangle with the RMB to deselect the blocks.

GKEY

Translation mode (the Grabber). This works on selected blocks. Alternatives for starting this mode:

  • RMB and drag

  • LMB and drag to draw a straight line.

The following options are available in translation mode:

  • MMB restricts the current translation to the X or Y axis. Blender calculates which axis to use based on the already initiated mouse movement. Click MMB again to restore unlimited translation.

  • ARROWS: The mouse cursor can be moved exactly 1 pixel with these keys.

  • Grabber terminates with:

    • LMB SPACE ENTER: move to a new position.

    • RMB or ESC: everything returns to the old position.

LKEY

Select Linked Forward. All DataBlocks that are linked by a selected DataBlock are also selected. In this way, the entire underlying structure can be selected, starting with a selected Scene block.

SHIFT-L

Select Linked Backward. All users of selected DataBlocks are selected. This allows you to visualise what Objects the Material uses, starting with a selected Material block.

SKEY

Scaling mode. This works on selected blocks. Only the length of the links, i.e. the distance between the DataBalocks, can be transformed. The degree of scaling corresponds exactly to the mouse movement. Try to move the (rotation) midpoint with the mouse. Alternatives for starting scaling mode: - LMB and drag to draw a sharp angle; a V-shaped line. The following options are available in scaling mode:

  • MMB restricts the scaling to the X or Y axis. Blender calculates which axis to use based on the already initiated mouse movement. Click MMB again to return to free scaling.

  • ARROWS: These keys move the mouse cursor exactly 1 pixel.

  • Exit size mode with:

    • LMB SPACE or ENTER: to finalize scaling.

    • RMB or ESC: everything returns to its previous state.

SHIFT-S

Shuffle Oops. An attempt is made to minimise the length of the link lines for selected DataBlocks using parsed toggling.

ALT-S

Shrink Oops. The length of the link lines for the selected DataBlocks is shortened without causing the blocks to overlap.