Defaults

When you start Blender for the first time, the interactive region of the Splash Screen is replaced with a couple of initial preferences to configure how you interact inside Blender.

Note

These options can always be changed later in the Preferences.

Shortcuts

Presets for the default keymap for Blender. Note that this manual assumes that you use the “Blender” keymap.

Blender
This is the default keymap. Read more about this keymap here.
Blender 2.7x
This keymap is intended to match the last major series of Blender versions and is designed for people upgrading who do not want to learn the updated keymap.
Industry Compatible
This keymap is intended to match common creation software and is intended for people who use many different creation software. Read more about this keymap here.
Select With
Controls which mouse button, either right or left, is used to select items in Blender.
Spacebar

Controls the action of Spacebar. These and other shortcuts can be modified in the keymap preferences.

Play
Starts playing through the Timeline, this option is good for animation or video editing.
Tools
Opens the Toolbar underneath the cursor to quickly change the active tool. This option is good if doing a lot of modeling or rigging.
Search
Opens up the operator search. This option is good for someone who is new to Blender and is unfamiliar with its menus and shortcuts.
Theme
Choose between a light or dark theme for Blender. Themes can be customized more in the Preferences.

There are two areas where Blender’s defaults are stored:

Preferences
The Preferences file stores keymap, add-ons theme and other options.
Startup File
The Startup File stores the scene, Workspaces and interface which is displayed at startup and when loading a new file (File ‣ New).

Saving Defaults

The user preferences are automatically saved when changed.

Changing the default startup file can be done via File ‣ Defaults ‣ Save Startup File See Startup File.

Loading Factory Settings

You can revert your own customizations to Blender’s defaults:

Preferences
The Preferences Load Factory Settings.
Startup File & Preferences
File ‣ Defaults ‣ Load Factory Settings.

Note

After loading the factory settings, the preferences won’t be auto-saved.

See Managing Preferences for details.