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F2

MODELINGTOPOLOGY TOOL
📖3 min read

Introduction​

The F2 add-on is a free, built-in tool designed to significantly accelerate the poly-modeling workflow in Blender. It functions as a powerful extension of the default F key (fill) operation, enabling rapid, repetitive face creation with minimal, consistent keystrokes.

Key Features​

Repetitious Filling

Allows an entire sequence of faces to be created and filled along an edge boundary by selecting a single initial edge and repeatedly pressing the F key.

Single Vertex Input

Enables face creation starting from only one selected vertex. New vertices and faces are generated and filled in sequence with repetitive use of the F key.

Directional Sensitivity

The tool respects the mouse cursor's position. By hovering the cursor to the left or right of the selected edge or vertex, the user dictates the direction of the new face fill.

Installation​

The F2 add-on is included with recent Blender versions and only requires activation.

Step-by-step installation:

  1. Navigate to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences window, select the Add-ons tab.
  3. Use the search field to find "F2".
  4. Enable the add-on by checking the box next to "Mesh: F2".

Usage​

Use the F2 add-on primarily in Edit Mode for filling gaps in mesh geometry.

1. Edge-Based Repetitive Filling​

This method is efficient for filling open edge loops.

  1. Enter Edit Mode (Tab) on your mesh.
  2. Switch to Edge Select mode (press 2).
  3. Select a single edge adjacent to the area you want to fill.
  4. Repeatedly press the F key to sequentially fill faces along the adjacent boundary.

2. Single Vertex Filling​

This is useful for quickly building geometry from a starting point.

  1. Enter Edit Mode (Tab).
  2. Switch to Vertex Select mode (press 1).
  3. Select a single vertex adjacent to the open area.
  4. Repeatedly press the F key. Each press will create a new face, generating a new vertex that attempts to align with the surrounding geometry.

3. Controlling Fill Direction​

Use the mouse position to resolve ambiguity when filling.

  1. In Edit Mode, select the Edge or Vertex that is the input for the fill.
  2. Before pressing F, hover the mouse cursor over the side (left or right) where the new face should be created.
  3. Press F to generate the face in the direction indicated by the cursor.

Summary​

F2 simplifies face-filling: instead of complex key sequences, you just press F repeatedly. Once you get used to it, retopology and poly-modeling go noticeably faster.