---
title: Keymap
order: 11
---

Chisel's shortcuts split into two groups. **Tool-local** keys are defined in the Chisel active tool's keymap and only fire while that tool is the active tool in the 3D viewport — they never shadow Blender's defaults anywhere else. **Global** keys work from any tool. Everything is customizable in `Edit → Preferences → Keymap` (search for *Chisel*).

> The Chisel tool's tooltip (hover the toolbar icon) lists the full hotkey set inline, starting with the addon version.

## Global

These two work from any tool in the 3D viewport.

| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| `Alt + Q` | Activate the Chisel tool from anywhere |
| `Alt + V` | Unveil — show hidden objects related to the selection |
| `Shift + Alt + V` | Unveil + swap selection to the unveiled objects |

> `Q` on its own is *tool-local* — it opens the Chisel pie menu only inside the Chisel tool, so it no longer shadows Blender's Quick Favourites elsewhere. Use `Alt + Q` to jump into the tool first.

## Tool-local

Everything below works only while the Chisel tool is the active tool.

### Drawing & selection

| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| `LMB` drag | Draw a new SDF primitive (uses the tool's Shape / Operation / Align) |
| `LMB` click | Select under cursor, deselect everything else |
| `Shift + LMB` drag | Box-select (add to selection) |
| `RMB` | Chisel object context menu |
| `D` | Inline shape + operation + align picker |
| `Shift + A` | Add a Chisel primitive (tool-local add menu) |
| `Q` | Chisel pie menu |

### Modifiers & editing

| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| `B` | Adjust rounding modal (selected primitives) |
| `Ctrl + B` | Adjust blend modal (modifiers targeting the selection) |
| `Ctrl + D` | Chisel Duplicate — clone a shape with its modifier graph |
| `[` / `]` | Cycle primitive type of the selected shapes (previous / next) |
| `;` / `'` | Cycle the boolean / displace operation on targeting modifiers |
| `V` | Veil — hide non-rendered objects (keeps the current selection visible) |

> `[` / `]` and `;` / `'` repeat while held. Cycling primitive type never crosses families — mesh shapes stay mesh, curve shapes stay curve. The operation cycle runs Difference → Union → Intersect → Emboss → Engrave (Slice is excluded).

### Quick booleans

Each binds to both the keyboard row and the numpad — use whichever your keyboard offers. The selected shapes are booleaned into the active one.

| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| `Alt + −` (or `NumPad −`) | Quick Boolean Difference |
| `Alt + =` (or `NumPad +`) | Quick Boolean Union |
| `Alt + \\` (or `NumPad /`) | Quick Boolean Intersect |

## Modal keys

Once a modal adjust is running (rounding `B`, blend `Ctrl + B`, or a gizmo drag), these apply:

- `1`–`5` — snap the edge profile to *Round* / *Sharp* / *Soft* / *Tight* / *Chamfer* (NumPad `1`–`5` work too)
- `S` — jump to/from the Chamfer Smooth adjustment (only when a target is on Chamfer)
- `Shift` — precision mode (finer steps)
- `Ctrl` — snap to round increments
- `LMB` or `Enter` — confirm; `RMB` or `Esc` — cancel

## Customizing

1. `Edit → Preferences → Keymap`
2. Search for **Chisel**
3. Edit, disable, or rebind any operator

## See also

- [Interface: Pie Menu](interface/pie-menu.md) — `Q` menu contents
- [Interface: Draw Tool](interface/draw-tool.md) — drag-to-place workflow
- [Modifiers: Boolean](modifiers/boolean.md) — operations triggered by the boolean hotkeys
- [Operations: Veil & Unveil](operations/veil.md) — what `V` / `Alt + V` hide and reveal