Perspective/Orthographic

Reference

Mode

All modes

Menu

View ‣ Perspective/Orthographic

Shortcut

Numpad5

This operator changes the projection of the viewport camera. Each 3D Viewport supports two different types of projection. These are demonstrated in the Fig. below.

../../../_images/editors_3dview_navigate_projections_view-orthographic.png

Orthographic projection.

../../../_images/editors_3dview_navigate_projections_view-perspective.png

Perspective projection.

Our eye is used to perspective viewing because distant objects appear smaller. Orthographic projection often seems a bit odd at first, because objects stay the same size regardless of their distance. It is like viewing the scene from an infinitely distant point. Nevertheless, orthographic viewing is very useful, because it provides a more “technical” insight into the scene, making it easier to model and judge proportions.

Options

To change toggle between the two projections for the 3D Viewport, select View ‣ Perspective/Orthographic or use the shortcut Numpad5. Changing the projection for a 3D Viewport does not affect the way the scene will be rendered. Rendering is in perspective by default. If you need to create an orthographic rendering, select the camera, go to the Camera tab and press the Orthographic button in the Lens panel.