---
title: "Tools Overview"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-1-tools-overview.html"
section_path: "Palettes > Tool Palette > Tools Overview"
description: "A complete overview of the Tool library that lives within the Tool palette. This section will cover essential information related to Tools management."
---

# Tools Overview

A complete overview of the Tool library that lives within the Tool palette. This section will cover essential information related to Tools management.

![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-tools-overview.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-tools-overview.png)

Palettes > Tool Palette > Tools Library

> **Note:** A Tool is a 3D file. There are three types of Tools, each offering different settings within the Tool palette. A Tool can retain multiple subtools.

> **Note:** Learn more about [Tool Types](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-2-tool-types.html.md) in this guide's provided section.

---

# Overview

The Tools library offers a collection of Tool types available for selection.

The Tool library is where ZTool (.ZTL) and external 3D files will be placed after importing.

> **Note:** Multiple ZTools (.ZTL) can be imported into the Tool library, and saved in a ZProject (.ZPR) file.

## Quick Steps:

Tap the **Tool** icon to view. Select a Tool to load it into the canvas.

![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-tools-library.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-tools-library.png)\
Tool Palette > Tools library

> **Note:** Tools labeled as Primitive3D are unique in their customization settings. Learn more in this guide's [Primitive3D](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/4_palettes_tool-3-primitives3D.html.md) section.

When multiple ZTools are loaded during an active session, they will be listed here within this menu. Swap active ZTools by selecting from this library.

![Image: 2024-4-tool-palette-loaded-ztools.png](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/2024-4-tool-palette-loaded-ztools.png)\
Tool Palette > Tools library

> **Note:** Learn more about loading multiple ZTools or external 3D formats into an active session in the Saving & Loading > [Import 3D](https://help.maxon.net/zbp/en-us/Content/html/7_saving-loading_import.html.md) section.