Regular Keyboard Hotkeys

Modeler features its own set of hotkeys that override Houdini's default hotkeys. If a key is not assigned to any Modeler tool, the corresponding Houdini hotkey will be used. This enables both types of hotkeys to function within Modeler mode. For instance, A, Ctrl+A, and Shift+A are unassigned in Modeler, allowing users to select loops using Houdini's standard features.

Houdini includes certain tool states with an additional set of hotkeys, often displayed in the viewer's upper left corner. In such states, Modeler can temporarily disable its own hotkeys until the user exits the state, e.g., by pressing Escape or changing the selection mode. These modes include:

• TopoBuild (TopoBuild, TopoSlide, TopoSplit, TopoBrush, TopoSmooth, TopoSkin)
• Curve (Bezier, NURBS, PolyCurve)
• PointWeld
• Bend

Hotkeys can be modified in the Modeler hotkey editor, located on the Modeler shelf. The Escape and Spacebar keys are reserved and cannot be used as hotkeys.

Additional Modeler Shortcuts

Besides the regular hotkeys, Modeler mode offers special shortcuts designed for enhanced convenience:

• Pressing Shift while rotating the viewport camera aligns the camera to the nearest plane. This feature also exists as a separate tool, called AlignView, which can be assigned a regular hotkey in the hotkey editor.
• The middle mouse button functions the same as in standard Houdini. However, holding Ctrl modifies its behavior slightly. When Ctrl is held, Modeler automatically changes the handle align preference in "Houdini Preferences/Handles/Translate Handle". If the option is set to Drag in View Plane, holding Ctrl temporarily changes it to Map Drag to Axis. Conversely, if the option is set to Map Drag to Axis, holding Ctrl changes it to Drag in View Plane until Ctrl is released.
• Pressing Alt while dragging the state handle temporarily activates Multi snapping mode, but only after the mouse button has been pressed.
• Alt+Shift+LMB quickly links to the Frame tool and is designed to display a selected part of geometry or all objects if nothing is selected.
• In addition to the regular hotkey, the context-sensitive menu can be invoked by Shift+RMB.
• Some arrow key sequences are reserved for Modeler's walk selection feature:
  • Left, Right, Up, Down - reserved and cannot be reassigned
  • Ctrl+Left, Ctrl+Right, Ctrl+Up, Ctrl+Down - reserved and cannot be reassigned
  • Any other modifiers + Left, Right, Up, Down - not reserved and can be used as hotkeys
• Escape is reserved for Modeler's Drop Selection feature.