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Screen Keys

by Egret Studios LLC·Workflow

Images © Egret Studios LLC. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Screen Keys earns its place in the superhive library as a focused overlay for showing exactly which keys and mouse actions drive a Blender session, with customization down to position, color, size, and timing.

What is Screen Keys?

Screen Keys is a Blender add-on that displays keyboard and mouse inputs live inside the viewport. As you work, it shows every key press and mouse action in real time, including modifier combinations such as Shift, Ctrl, and Alt so nothing is missed. Mouse position, clicks, and scroll wheel usage are visualized as they happen.

The overlay is customizable. You can place it in the top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right of the screen, and adjust key size, opacity, and fade-out timing. Colors for text, background, and highlights are yours to set, and you can control how many keys appear at once. The display toggles on and off, and all settings live in a sidebar panel. The add-on is designed to be lightweight, with minimal impact on Blender's performance.

Screen Keys suits tutorial creators, educators and trainers, live demonstrations, learning keyboard shortcuts, and workflow reviews. It is compatible with Blender 4.0 through 4.4, works as a Blender extension, and is released under the MIT license.

Who is Screen Keys best for?

Screen Keys is best for tutorial creators, educators and trainers, live demonstrations, learning keyboard shortcuts, and workflow reviews.

How much does Screen Keys cost?

Screen Keys is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Real-time display of keyboard and mouse inputs in the viewport
  • Modifier key support for combinations like Shift, Ctrl, and Alt
  • Mouse activity tracking including position, clicks, and scroll wheel usage
  • Screen position choice: top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right
  • Adjustable key size, opacity, and fade-out timing, plus custom colors for text, background, and highlights
  • Control over how many keys appear at once
  • Toggle the display on or off from a sidebar panel

Tags

#Blender#keyboard overlay#screencast#tutorials#input display#mouse tracking#add-on

Frequently asked questions

Does Screen Keys work with Blender 4.2?

Screen Keys supports Blender 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4, so version 4.2 is covered. It is listed as Blender extension compatible and works as an add-on. Because it spans several recent releases, you can run it across those versions without switching tools. For the current version list and any updates beyond these, check the developer's page before installing, since compatibility details can shift as Blender itself moves forward.

Is Screen Keys free to use?

Screen Keys is listed as free here in the catalog, and it is released under the MIT license as a Blender add-on. Licensing and pricing can change over time, so for the current terms it is best to check the developer's page directly. If you need specifics on what the license permits or any conditions attached to using the add-on, the developer's page is the place to confirm them, since it reflects the most current details straight from the creator.

Can I change where Screen Keys appears on screen?

Screen Keys lets you place the overlay in one of four screen corners: top-left, top-right, bottom-left, or bottom-right. Beyond position, you can adjust key size, opacity, and fade-out timing, and set your own colors for text, background, and highlights. You can also control how many keys appear at once. These settings are reached from a sidebar panel inside Blender, so you can tune the display to fit your recording or teaching setup.

How do I turn the Screen Keys display on or off?

Screen Keys can be toggled on and off quickly without interrupting your session or recording. The controls, along with the rest of the add-on's settings, live in a sidebar panel in Blender. This means you can start and stop the input display as needed while you work, teach, or record. The overlay is also designed to be lightweight, with minimal impact on Blender's performance while it runs.

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