Block

The Block tool is the core feature in Blockout for creating and manipulating 3D geometry through boolean operations and primitive shapes.

Basic Usage

  1. Click the Blockout icon in the toolbar
  2. Press D to open the options popup
  3. Select shape, mode, and alignment settings
  4. Click and drag in viewport to draw shape
  5. Set Options during modal if needed
  6. Release to confirm or right-click to cancel
  7. Adjust settings in Redo panel if needed

Quick Start

  • Fastest Access: Press Ctrl+W to activate Block tool
  • Options Menu: Press D while tool is active
  • Direct Drawing: Tool remembers last settings

Components

Shapes

8 primitive shapes for creating geometry:

  • 2D Shapes: Rectangle, Circle, N-gon
  • 3D Shapes: Box, Cylinder, Sphere, N-hedron
  • Special: Corner (context-sensitive)

Modes

6 boolean operation modes:

  • Add - Create new geometry
  • Cut - Subtract from selection
  • Slice - Split geometry
  • Intersect - Keep overlapping parts
  • Carve - Add and cut combined
  • Union - Merge with selection

Alignment Options

Control how shapes align to surfaces:

  • Face - Align to surface under cursor
  • Custom - Use custom orientation plane
  • Offset - Distance from surface
  • Increments - Snap to grid values
  • Absolute Increment: Snap to blender Grid
  • Orientation: Pick Methods to orient drawing plane
  • Solver: Boolean operation solver

Shortcuts

Key Action
Ctrl+W Activate Block tool
D Open options popup
Space Set custom plane
Alt+Space Move custom plane
LMB Draw shape
RMB/ESC Cancel operation

See Also

Table of contents