Options
These options are only relevant when using loop selections, which can be created by holding down the Shift key. In this case, the Seam Selection tool functions like the classic Loop Selection tool. These options allow you to stop the edge loop from continuing when it reaches certain elements:
- Stop at Seams: The loop selection ends automatically when it encounters a seam selection.
- Stop at Non-Quads: If the loop selection encounters a triangular polygon or an N-gon, the selection automatically ends there.
- Stop at Poles: A pole is a point that is an element of multiple polygons and whose polygon count is not 2 (edge) or 4 (regular loop). The loop selection will be automatically stopped at such points.
The selection tool offers various modes for selecting edge segments as Seams:
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Free Path: First, place the mouse pointer on the desired starting point of the Seam selection while holding down the left mouse button. Then, while continuing to hold down the left mouse button, move the mouse to the end point of the Seam selection. A light-colored preview of the Seam selection appears between the starting point and the current position of the mouse pointer. When you release the left mouse button, this preview becomes an actual Seam selection, which is also saved in the Seams Tag. Depending on the path of the edges in the UV unwrap, the Seams preview may also take new paths and change as you move the mouse. If you prefer a custom path for the Seam selection, use the following Live Path mode instead.
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Live Path: While holding down the left mouse button, paint over the edges one by one that you want to mark as Seams in the UV Editor. Unlike in Free Path mode, the selection of edges that have already been painted remains static. When you release the left mouse button, the highlighted edge path is saved as a Seam selection in the Seams Tag.
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Line Fitted Path: Place the mouse pointer over the desired starting point of the Seam selection, then hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse to the desired end point of the Seam selection. A preview of the UV edges that lie along the shortest path between the start and end points of the selection will appear. After releasing the left mouse button, this preview becomes an actual Seam selection, which is saved in the Seams Tag.
Additional control options:
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Holding Ctrl while using the Seam Selection: The newly created selection will be removed from any existing selection.
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Hold down the Shift key while moving the mouse pointer over the edges: The tool's current Mode is ignored in this case, and a classic Edge Loop Selection is displayed as a preview instead. Clicking the mouse selects the edge loop as a seam selection. Holding down the Ctrl key allows you to subtract the loop selection from the existing seam selection.
Also note the additional options available to limit the Loop selections.
All current Seam Selections are removed from the Mesh and from the available Seams Tag.