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.