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BLBlender

Gesture Ops

by Pixel Egg Studio·Workflow

Images © Pixel Egg Studio. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Gesture Ops earns its place in the superhive library as a focused take on shortcut replacement, mapping drawn mouse patterns to Blender operators across versions reaching back to 2.79.

What is Gesture Ops?

Gesture Ops is an add-on from Pixel Egg Studio that lets Blender users trigger operations by drawing simple-pattern lines with the mouse. Rather than reaching for keyboard shortcuts, you left click anywhere in the 3D View, drag from left to right, and release the button to finish the first line. Repeat that to draw another line, and the add-on runs the operator assigned to that pattern gesture.

Operators are mapped to pattern gestures through the included documentation, and add-on preferences include modes as an option. An ALT modifier, which is Option on macOS, is also supported. The developer describes using the tool to switch between Edit Mode and Select Mode.

Gesture Ops is released under the GPL license and supports a wide range of Blender versions, from 2.79 through 4.2. Recent updates added the mode options and the ALT modifier, along with fixes for a crash and for the add-on not enabling after loading new Blender files.

Who is Gesture Ops best for?

Gesture Ops is best for blender users who prefer drawing mouse gestures over remembering keyboard shortcuts.

How much does Gesture Ops cost?

Gesture Ops is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Trigger operations by drawing simple-pattern gesture lines in the 3D View
  • Left click, drag from left to right, and release to draw each line; repeat for multi-line patterns
  • Operators assigned to pattern gestures, with included documentation
  • Modes available as an option in add-on preferences
  • ALT modifier support (Option on macOS)
  • Supports Blender versions 2.79 through 4.2
  • Released under the GPL license

Tags

#Blender add-on#mouse gestures#keyboard shortcuts#3D View#workflow#Pixel Egg Studio#GPL

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Gesture Ops support?

Gesture Ops lists compatibility with a wide range of Blender versions, from 2.79 up through 4.2. That includes the 2.8, 2.9x, 3.0 through 3.6, and the 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 series. The add-on is released under the GPL license. If you're on a version within that range, it's listed as supported. For anything outside that range or to confirm the current build, check the developer's page directly.

How do I trigger a gesture in Gesture Ops?

Gesture Ops triggers operators through mouse-drawn patterns rather than keyboard shortcuts. To draw a line, left click anywhere in the 3D View, drag your mouse from left to right, then release the left mouse button to finish that line. Repeat the same steps to draw another line, and the add-on runs the operator assigned to that pattern gesture. An ALT modifier, which is Option on macOS, is also available, and the included documentation covers how to set these up.

Does Gesture Ops work on macOS?

Gesture Ops includes an ALT modifier that maps to the Option key on macOS, so the add-on is set up for use on that platform. Beyond that modifier, the gesture workflow stays the same: left click in the 3D View, drag to draw a line, and release to trigger the assigned operator. To confirm setup steps for your machine, the developer's page and the included documentation are the places to look.

Is Gesture Ops free?

Gesture Ops is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms or any pricing, check the developer's page directly. The add-on itself is released under the GPL license. Feature-wise, it maps mouse-drawn pattern gestures to Blender operators as a replacement for keyboard shortcuts, and the developer notes that bug reports and feature requests are welcome for ongoing development. The developer can also be reached on Twitter.

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