Alternate Input

This entry covers some quick tips about using Blender in the less than ideal configuration.

So the ideal configuration is using a 2-button mouse with a scroll wheel, and as well as a keyboard with a dedicated number pad or NUMPAD.

There are many scenarios where this ideal configuration isn't available (i.e. ergo mice, laptop, track pad, mac etc).  So here are some quick tips for working with these configurations:

If you have a middle mouse button, and therefore can't middle click, you can emulate the 3rd button by checking the Emulate 3 Button Mouse in the User Preferences window under the Input tab.  What this does is allow you to [ALT+LEFT-CLICK] to perform a middle mouse click.

In the same window, to mitigate a keyboard that has no dedicated numpad, you can also Emulate Numpad by checking that respective box.  What this will do is override your regular number keys which would normally control your layers, and apply the NUMPAD views instead.

There are two scenarios where having a scroll wheel is very handy.  One is adjusting how many ring-loops are applied when you [CTRL+R] to insert an edge loop.  Changing the number of rings can also be achieved by [PAGE UP] and [PAGE DOWN].

This is the same as the ring loops, when working with Proportional Editing [O], Paint Select [C] or any tool that has a radius control, you would normally use the scroll wheel to adjust the size of affect.  You can also use the [PAGE UP] and [PAGE DOWN] here as well.

Note that there are known issues with Logitech Mice not functioning correctly upon first connection.  In these cases, open the Logitech driver/software, and set the Scroll Wheel button to be either Middle Button or Middle Click instead of its standard Zoom or AutoScroll.