Reference/Release Notes/3.0/User Interface

= Blender 3.0: User Interface =

Theme and Widgets

 * To celebrate the beginning of a new series, the default theme got a refresh.
 * Visual style update to panels.
 * New theme setting for roundness.
 * Added margins to more clearly tell them apart.
 * Replace triangle with chevron icon.
 * Menu Item now makes use of Roundness theme setting.
 * List Item no longer relies on Regular buttons style when selected.
 * Active Tab text now use region's Text Highlight theme color when active.
 * Adjust editor's Header color when active (instead of when inactive).
 * Style drag-drop indicators as tooltips.
 * Use arrow icon on context paths.
 * Improve contrast on playhead.
 * In Animation Editors and VSE, align vertical indicators to view.
 * Use flat colors for NLA strips.
 * Remove separator lines between rows in VSE.

Area Management

 * Corner action zones allow joining any neighbors. Improved Header Context Menu..
 * New 'Area Close' operator..
 * Mouse hit size for area resizing increased.
 * Improved mouse cursor feedback during Area Split and Join at unsupported locations..
 * Resizing areas now snap (with Ctrl) to more consistent locations..

General

 * The editor header and tool settings region were swapped.
 * If saving a file using CloseSave dialog, do not close if there is an error doing so, like if read-only..
 * Capture object thumbnails at an oblique angle for better preview of the shapes..
 * Do not create thumbnail previews of offline files, to avoid slow listings of Windows OneDrive folders..
 * Fix console window briefly flashing when blender starts on windows..
 * Improved positioning of menu mnemonic underlines, especially when using custom font..
 * "Render" Window now top-level (not child) on Windows platform, back to behavior prior to 2.93..
 * Improved placement of child windows when using multiple monitors with any above any others (Win32)..
 * Windows users can now associate current installation with Blend files in Preferences..
 * 3DView Statistics Overlay now shows Local statistics if you are in Local View.
 * Improved scaling of File Browser preview images..
 * Do not resize temporary windows (Preferences, Render, etc) if they are already open..
 * Win32: Improved placement of windows when using multiple monitors that differ in DPI and scale..
 * macOS: support for Japanese, Chinese and Korean input in text fields
 * Ctrl+F while hovering UI lists will open the search for the list.
 * Text buttons are automatically scrolled into view when editing them.
 * Show descriptive display names for Fonts in File Browser instead of simple file names..
 * Show descriptive display names for 3D Text Object fonts..
 * On Windows when entering Chinese or Japanese characters, do not duplicate initial keystroke..
 * Allow use of Wingdings and Symbol fonts in VSE text strips..
 * Substantial speed increases for interface text drawing.
 * Less jiggling of contents when moving nodes..
 * Increased resolution of blend file thumbnails..
 * Improved blend preview thumbs, using screen captures or rendered with current current view shading..
 * Split Output Properties Dimensions panel.
 * File Browser "Favorites" section heading changed back to "Bookmarks"

Custom Properties

 * Rework the custom property edit operator to make it faster to use and more intuitive.
 * Improve the layout of custom property edit panel

3D Viewport

 * Display indicator in Text Info overlay when Clipping Region is enabled
 * Z axis lock option for the walk navigation
 * Navigation gizmos no longer hide when using modal operators.
 * The different outline color for selected instances has been removed, improving readability of the active object.

Keymap

 * Holding the `D` & dragging now opens the view menu (moved from the `Tilde` key). The "Switch to Object" operator is now mapped to the `Tilde` key..

Outliner

 * Filter option "All View Layers" shows all the view layers for comparing different collection values.



Freestyle
A major rework of the UI layout to make the layout align with the current UI design principles.

Preview

 * Sphere material preview updated to have squared UV and better poles.