---
title: Pie Menu
order: 2
---

The pie menu is the fastest way to model in Chisel. Press `Q` in Object Mode for radial access to primitives, modifiers, profile toggles, and the renderer.

![Pie menu](../assets/pie-menu.webp)

## Wedges

- **NW — Add Primitive** — full grid of primitive types with custom icons
- **N — Convert / Rebuild** — quick access to mesh conversion and proxy rebuild
- **NE — Modifiers** — boolean Difference / Union / Intersect, mirror, array, solidify, emboss/engrave shortcuts
- **W — Profile picker** — Round / Sharp / Soft / Tight / Chamfer for the active primitive or boolean
- **E — Adjust** — invoke the *Adjust Rounding* / *Mirror Smooth* modal on the active object
- **SW — Renderer toggle** — switch between Chisel and EEVEE
- **S — Veil / Unveil** — quickly hide non-rendered objects

The exact contents adapt to the current selection — modifier rows for the active object, primitive type for adjustment, etc.

## Status warnings

The pie menu also shows status warnings when relevant:

- **"Shaders not compiled — first run may take longer"** — appears when shaders are still compiling. The warning includes a manual *Recompile Shaders* button.
- **"OpenGL backend, Vulkan is much faster"** — appears when Blender is running on OpenGL. Switch to Vulkan in `Edit → Preferences → System → Backend`.

## Profile shortcuts

The profile row in the pie menu sets the rounding profile on the active selection. It works on:

- The primitive's *Rounding Profile* (if you're hovering over a primitive)
- The active boolean modifier's *Blend Profile* (if you're hovering over an object with one)
- The active emboss / engrave modifier's *Inner Profile* (depending on context)

## See also

- [Draw Tool](draw-tool.md) — drag-to-place primitive placement
- [Keymap](../keymap.md) — full hotkey list
- [Rounding & Blending: Profiles](../rounding-and-blending/profiles.md) — profile descriptions