How to Use Blender without a Middle Mouse Button or a Scroll Wheel
It’s possible to use Blender without a middle mouse button or a scroll wheel. On a typical mouse, the scroll wheel also functions as the middle mouse button. So if you don’t have a middle mouse button, then there’s a good chance that you don’t have a scroll wheel either. The good news is that you can use Blender without a middle mouse button or a scroll wheel. Both of these issues are addressed separately below.
How to use Blender without a Middle Mouse Button
Blender has a 3 Button Mouse Emulation setting. By enabling it, a 1 or 2 button mouse can take the place of a 3 button mouse. To enable Blender’s 3 Button Mouse Emulation, follow these instructions.
- From the File menu, select User Preferences.
- Click the Input tab.
- Put a check mark next to Emulate 3 Button Mouse.
- Click Save User Settings to save the settings for the next time Blender opens.
After enabling 3 button mouse emulation, the mouse buttons work as follows:
If you’re using a PC with a 2 Button Mouse
Alt + Left Mouse = Middle Mouse button
Example Usage
- To rotate the view, press Alt + Left Mouse button and drag.
- To pan the view, press Shift + Alt + Left Mouse button and drag.
If you’re using an Apple with a single button mouse
Option + Mouse button = Middle Mouse button
Command(Apple) + Mouse button = Right Mouse button
Example Usage
- To rotate the view, press Option + Mouse button and drag.
- To pan the view, press Shift + Option + Mouse button and drag.
- To select an object, press Command(Apple) + Mouse button.
How to use Blender without a Scroll Wheel
Blender has alternate methods that can be used instead of using a scroll wheel. Here’s how to do some common Blender tasks.
Zooming Without a Scroll Wheel
Any of the following methods can be used for zooming instead of using the Scroll Wheel.
- Hold down the Ctrl key and the Middle Mouse button while dragging.
- Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the = or – key.
- Use Numpad + and Numpad – keys. If you don’t have a number pad then you can read 2 Ways to Use Blender without a Number Pad.
Loop Cuts Without a Scroll Wheel
After pressing Ctrl R to initiate the Loop Cut, you can do any of the following to specify the number of cuts.
- Enter a numeric value.
- Use Page Up and Page Down keys.
- Use Numpad + and Numpad – keys. If you don’t have a number pad then you can read 2 Ways to Use Blender without a Number Pad.
Proportional Editing Without a Scroll Wheel
When using Proportional Editing, you can control the size of the control area (white circle influence area) by using the Page Up and Page Down keys.
