Blender: F vs J in edit mode: Understanding the Difference and When to Use Each
When we are working in edit mode in Blender, two commonly used shortcut keys F and J may seem similar at first glance. Both are used to create edges between vertices, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the distinction between them can significantly enhance your modelling workflow and improve geometry accuracy.
Let’s break it down with a simple example to illustrate when to use F and when to use J.
Using the F Key: Filling Gaps
1. Select two vertices.
2. Press F.
The blender will create an edge between the two points. This is particularly useful when you’re trying to fill a gap such as closing a hole or bridging two edges.
However, there’s an important note: If the two vertices are already part of an existing face, the edge you created will not become part of the face geometry; it will simply float inside as a loose edge.
If you move the vertices, the edge will follow, but the face won’t change. This is because the new edge is not integrated into the face.
Use F when:
– You are creating a new face from scratch.
– You want to fill holes or bridge unconnected vertices or edges.
Using the J Key: Joining Within a Face
1. Select two vertices that are inside an existing face.
2. Press J.
This time, Blender performs a smarter action. It splits the face and adds an edge loop between the two vertices. The geometry updates accordingly, and the face is split into two parts.
When you move the vertices, you will see that the face geometry following the edge is now truly part of the mesh.
Use J when:
– You want to add detail within a face.
– You are cutting geometry cleanly into an existing face.
Final Tip
Always ask yourself:
Am I filling open geometry or modifying an existing face?
That question alone will guide you to the correct tool.
Watch This in Action
We’ve created a short YouTube tutorial to visually demonstrate this difference.
👉 [Watch the F vs. J Tutorial on YouTube] Mana 3D Channel
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Article by Padmasri