Mouse navigation

Overview
The FreeCAD mouse navigation consists of the commands used to visually navigate 3D space and interact with the displayed objects. FreeCAD supports multiple mouse navigation styles. The default navigation style is referred to as CAD Navigation, and is very simple and practical, but FreeCAD also provides several alternative navigation styles to choose from. The selected style is used for all workbenches.

For more information about selecting objects see Selection methods.

For more information about manipulating objects see Std TransformManip.

Selecting a navigation style

 * 1) Do one of the following:
 * 2) * Press the button in the Status bar.
 * 3) * Right-click an empty area in the 3D view, and select from the context menu.
 * 4) * Use the Preferences Editor. In the menu select and then.
 * 5) Select a style from the list.
 * 6) Optionally change the : press the  button in the Status bar and then choose . See Preferences Editor.
 * 7) Optionally change the . See Preferences Editor.
 * 8) If the  navigation style is selected: optionally change the  setting. See Preferences Editor.

Available navigation styles
With all navigation styles, unless selecting objects from a sketch in edit mode, you must hold to select multiple objects.

Blender navigation
The Blender navigation style was modeled after Blender.

CAD navigation
This is the default navigation style. It allows the user a simple control of the view, and does not require the use of keyboard keys except to make multi-selections.

Gesture navigation
This style was tailored for use with a touchscreen and pen. Nevertheless, it can also be used with a mouse, and is recommended for use when using a Mac with a trackpad.

Maya-Gesture navigation
In Maya-Gesture Navigation, panning, zooming, and rotating the view require the key together with a mouse button; therefore, a three-button mouse is required. It's also possible to use gestures as this style was developed over the Gesture navigation style.

OpenCascade navigation
The OpenCascade navigation style was modeled after OpenCascade.

OpenInventor navigation
OpenInventor navigation (formerly Inventor) was modeled after Open Inventor. In order to select objects, you must hold the or  key.

This style is not based on Autodesk Inventor.

OpenSCAD navigation
The OpenSCAD navigation style was modeled after OpenSCAD.

Revit navigation
The Revit navigation style was modeled after Revit.

TinkerCAD navigation
The TinkerCAD navigation style was modeled after TinkerCAD.

Touchpad navigation
With the Touchpad navigation style, panning, zooming, and rotating the view require a modifier key together with the touchpad. This style can also be used with a mouse.

Hardware support
FreeCAD also supports some 3D input devices.

Recommended navigation for macOS
On MacBooks with a trackpad the Gesture navigation works very well, but the gestures have a special meaning:
 * Zoom: drag with two fingers.
 * Rotate: drag with three fingers.
 * Pan: + three fingers.

Developing a custom navigation
The tutorial Adding a new mouse navigation option to FreeCAD orients developers who want to develop a custom mouse navigation option. Familiarity with the C++ syntax is required.