The Ribbon Interface
 
 
 

The modeling ribbon takes the form of a toolbar that can float or dock in a horizontal or vertical configuration. The toolbar contains four tabs:

Each tab contains a number of panels whose presence, in general, depends on the context, such as the active sub-object level. You can use a right-click menu to determine which panels appear, and you can also tear off panels so they float independently on the interface. You can adjust the panel size horizontally by dragging either end, and when you make it smaller, the panels adjust automatically to fit. The same controls that were previously available directly then become available from drop-down menus.

The main tab on the modeling ribbon is the Graphite Modeling Tools tab, and its first panel, Polygon Modeling, provides a subset of Modify panel tools: sub-object level (Vertex, Edge, Border, Polygon, Element); stack level, preview options for sub-object selection, and more. At any time you can show or hide any available panel with the right-click menu.

NoteMost tools on the modeling ribbon have two-part tooltips; the first part contains a brief description of the tool, and sometimes lists important options. The second part, when available, describes how to use the tool, often with an illustration, and with certain tools lists secondary options.

Also, some tooltips have an embedded video, or ToolClip, that uses motion to show how to use the tool. These are indicated by the text “Press Y for video.” To restart the video, press Y again.

  • Using the Ribbon

    The Graphite Modeling Tools interface takes the form of a highly customizable, context-sensitive toolbar containing four tabs: Graphite Modeling Tools, Freeform, Selection, and Object Paint. Each of these comprises a number of panels and tools whose availability depends on the context.

  • Modeling Ribbon Controls

    Most ribbon-configuration controls are available from right-click menus. This topic details these controls as well as others for customizing the ribbon setup.