Creating a Pie Menu¶
A Pie Menu is a circular popup. Buttons are distributed around a center point in up to 8 directions. It's the fastest type of menu to use because you activate buttons with a flick of the mouse.
Create the Menu¶
Inside your Preset, click Add Pie Menu. Fill in:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Shown at the center of the menu while it's open | Sculpt Tools |
| Description | Optional tooltip shown when hovering the center circle | Quick brush access |
| Shortcut | The key that opens this menu | W |
| Context | Which Blender editor this shortcut works in | 3D View |
Add Directions and Buttons¶
A pie menu has directions — the slots around the center. Each direction holds one or more buttons.
- Click + Add Button to add a button in the next available direction.
- Click on a direction header to expand it.
- Click on a button to edit it.
Direction order
Directions are distributed evenly by angle. The first button goes to the top, then it fills clockwise. You can drag directions to reorder them.
Button layout per direction¶
Each direction has a Layout setting:
| Layout | Result |
|---|---|
| SINGLE | One main button. Extra buttons stack below it as sub-buttons. |
| GRID | Buttons arranged in a grid. Set Columns to control width. |
Configure Each Button¶
Click a button to expand its settings. The most important fields:
| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| Type | What happens when you click — see Button Types |
| Label | Text shown on the button |
| Icon | Optional icon next to the label |
| Tooltip | Text shown when hovering |
| Condition | Hide this button unless a Python expression is True — see Conditions |
Use Preview Mode¶
Click Preview to see your menu live in the 3D View.
Tip
With Preview active, right-click anywhere inside the menu to add a button directly — without going back to the Preferences panel.
Set the Shortcut¶
In the Shortcut section:
- Click the Key field and press the key you want
- Check Ctrl, Shift, or Alt if needed
- Set the Context (which editor the shortcut works in)
After setting a shortcut, click Save Keymaps.
Avoid conflicts
Keys like G, R, S, Tab, E are already used by Blender in Edit Mode. Check Edit > Preferences > Input if unsure.
Options¶
The Options tab controls extra behavior:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Spring Loaded | Menu stays open only while the shortcut key is held; releases on key up |
| Show Center Circle | Whether the center dot/circle is visible |
| Show Trail | The line drawn from center to cursor |
| Show Description | Show the menu description at the center |
| Auto Scale | Shrink the menu automatically to fit small editor areas |
Tips¶
Quick Direction — when a direction has only one button, flick past the threshold and release the shortcut key. The button fires without clicking. This is the fastest way to use pie menus.
Nested pies — use a PIE_CALL button to open another pie from inside this one. Build a hierarchy: main pie → specialized sub-pie.
Pause Mode — click the center circle to freeze the pie open. It stays visible so you can click multiple buttons without it closing. Click center again or press ESC to close.