Creating a Layout Menu¶
A Layout Menu is a multi-column floating panel. Think of it as a mini Properties panel that you can open anywhere with a shortcut.
Use it for complex toolsets where you need several columns of related buttons side by side.
When to Use a Layout Menu¶
| Layout Menu | Simple Menu | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Multiple independent columns | One grid |
| Best for | Complex toolsets, panels with sections | Simple lists |
| Example | A sculpt panel with Brushes, Settings, and Overlays side by side | A list of operators |
Create the Menu¶
Inside your Preset, click Add Layout Menu. Fill in:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Shown in the menu header |
| Shortcut | The key that opens this menu |
| Context | Which Blender editor the shortcut works in |
Add Columns¶
A Layout Menu is built from columns. Each column is independent.
- Click + Add Column to add a column.
- Give it a Header label (shown at the top of the column).
- Add buttons inside the column the same way as in a Simple Menu.
Buttons Inside a Column¶
Buttons in a Layout Menu work exactly the same as in Simple or Pie menus. All the same types are available.
See Button Types for the full list.
LOCKED: Consistent, Always-Visible Menus¶
By default a Layout Menu opens at the cursor (Basic position mode) and closes on mouse-leave unless pinned. Switch Position Mode to Locked in the Options tab to turn it into a persistent panel instead:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Position Mode: Locked | The menu always opens at a fixed screen position instead of the cursor, and stays visible. |
| Offset X / Y | Percentage offset from the screen corner/edge that anchors the panel. |
| Auto Show | When enabled, the menu opens and closes itself automatically, no shortcut needed, based on its condition (see Conditions). Combine with a condition like bpy.context.mode == 'SCULPT' to show a panel only in Sculpt Mode. |
| Auto Show Editor | Which editor area type (3D Viewport, Image Editor, etc.) the Auto Show panel spawns in. LOCKED menus aren't limited to the 3D Viewport. |
Declutter shortcut
Ctrl+Click the PieMaster header button in any editor to toggle the visibility of every LOCKED menu/layout at once.
Opening a Layout Menu from a Pie¶
Use a LAYOUT_CALL button in a pie menu to open a Layout Menu.