.. _ui-data-block: *************** Data-Block Menu *************** A set of menu buttons used to link :doc:`/data_system/data_blocks` to each other. Data-blocks are items like meshes, objects, materials, textures, and so on. If data-blocks are linked the data will be updated across all of the users when edited. .. figure:: /images/interface_controls_templates_data-block_data-block.jpg :align: right The Data-Block menu with a search input. Type Shows an icon indicating the data-block type. It opens up the following pop-up menu. The data-block can be dragged from here e.g. to drag a material onto an object in the 3D View or into a :ref:`ui-data-id` field. List A list of data-blocks available in the current blend-file, or a link to select an item from. The menu may show a preview besides the items and a search field to search the items in the list by name. Name Displays the internal name of the linked Data-Block, which can be edited as a regular text field. If a name is already assigned, Blender will add a digit to the name like ".001". User count Displays the number of users of the data. Clicking on it will make it a single-user copy, with it linked only to the active object/object's data. Fake User ``F`` Keeps the data-block saved in the blend-file, even if it has no real users. New/Add ``+`` Creates a new data-block or duplicates the current data-block and applies it. Open file Opens the :doc:`File Browser `. Unpack file :ref:`Unpack ` the file packed into the current blend-file to external ones. Unlink data-block ``X`` Clears the link. :kbd:`Shift-LMB` to set the users to zero allowing the data to be fully deleted from the blend-file. Sometimes there is a :ref:`list ` of applied data-blocks (such as a list of materials used on the object). .. seealso:: Data-blocks are discussed farther in the :doc:`Data System chapter `. Preview ======= .. figure:: /images/interface_controls_templates_data-block_preview.png The Data-Block menu with preview. In the Tool Shelf is a version of the data-block menu with a bigger preview. .. rename to selector? .. _ui-data-id: Data ID ======= .. figure:: /images/interface_controls_templates_data-block_data-id.png The Data ID. A Data ID is a text field with an icon on the left, which opens a gray pop-up. It is used to reference data-blocks selected by their name. Type The icon on the left specifies the accepted data-block type. Name The text field functions as a search field by matching elements in the list. Press of :kbd:`Tab` for auto-complete names to the level a match is found. If more than one match exists, you have to continue typing. If you type an invalid name, the value will remain unchanged. List Lets you select the data-block directly. Eyedropper In some Data IDs there is an :doc:`/interface/controls/buttons/eye_dropper` available through the pipette icon on the right side. Remove ``X`` Click the ``X`` button on the right to remove the reference. Sub IDs ------- .. figure:: /images/interface_controls_templates_data-block_subids.png Vertex Group If the selected object in the *Name* field is a mesh or a lattice, an additional field is displayed where a vertex group can be selected. Bone If the selected object in the *Name* field is an armature, a new field is displayed offering the choice to specify an individual bone by entering its name in the *Bone* data ID. Head/Tail If a Bone is set, a new field is displayed offering the choice of whether the head or tail of a Bone will be pointed at. The slider defines where along this bone the point lies interpolating along the bone axis in a straight line. A value of zero will point at the Head/Root of a Bone, while a value of one will point at the Tail/Tip of a Bone. Use B-Bone Shape When the bone is a :doc:`/rigging/armatures/bones/properties/bendy_bones`, click on this button to make the point follow the curvature of the B-Spline between head and tail.