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GhostView

by JR3DFUL·Workflow

Images © JR3DFUL. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

A small, focused extension that earns its place in the Blender library by adding window transparency directly to the top bar with a single global shortcut.

What is GhostView?

GhostView adds a window transparency control to Blender's top bar. With it, you can see through the application window to reference material positioned behind it. The controls include a ghost toggle, an opacity slider ranging from 10 to 100 percent, and a lock to prevent accidental changes.

Transparency can also be toggled on and off globally using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H. The extension runs on Windows and macOS, and is compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer. As of version 1.0.2, Linux support was removed to adhere to the Extensions Guidelines.

GhostView is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later and requires no special permissions. It can be added by dragging and dropping into Blender, or downloaded and installed from disk. The extension is a compact download of around 2.0 KB.

Who is GhostView best for?

GhostView is best for blender users on Windows or macOS who want to view reference material through the application window.

How much does GhostView cost?

GhostView is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Top bar controls with a ghost toggle, opacity slider from 10 to 100 percent, and a lock to prevent accidental changes
  • Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H to toggle transparency on and off globally
  • See through the application window to reference material behind it
  • Platform support for Windows and macOS
  • Compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer
  • No special permissions required

Tags

#Blender#window transparency#reference#top bar#opacity#workflow#add-on#GhostView

Frequently asked questions

Does GhostView work with Blender 4.2?

GhostView is compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer, so it works with the 4.2 long-term support release and later versions. It supports Windows and macOS, including macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, as well as Windows on x64 and Arm. Linux support was fully removed in version 1.0.2 to adhere to the Extensions Guidelines, though the developer notes Linux support will be available elsewhere. Check the developer's page for the latest details on platform coverage.

How do I install GhostView in Blender?

GhostView can be installed by dragging and dropping the extension into Blender, or by downloading it and installing from disk through Blender's extensions preferences. The download is compact at around 2.0 KB. The extension requires no special permissions to run. Once installed, its transparency controls appear in Blender's top bar, and you can toggle transparency globally with the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H keyboard shortcut.

How do I adjust window opacity with GhostView?

GhostView places its controls in Blender's top bar, where you get a ghost toggle, an opacity slider that ranges from 10 to 100 percent, and a lock to prevent accidental changes. The slider sets how transparent the window becomes, letting you see through the application to reference material behind it. You can also toggle transparency on and off globally at any time using the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H keyboard shortcut.

Is GhostView free to use?

GhostView is listed as free here and is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. It requires no special permissions to run in Blender. The extension provides window transparency controls in Blender's top bar and is currently at version 1.0.2. For current licensing details and any additional distribution options, refer to the developer's page. GhostView is available both through the Blender extensions platform and from the developer's own listing.

Alternatives to GhostView

Also in Workflow for Blender.

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