Shortcuts
Essential hotkeys and workflow optimizations
How to use Houdini shortcuts
- • Shortcuts are context-sensitive: try them in different panes and modes.
- • The Tab menu is the fastest way to create nodes.
- • Use Ctrl + # to bookmark node positions, then # to jump back instantly.
- • Customize shortcuts in Edit → Hotkeys for your workflow.
⭐ Favorites
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab | Node creation menu - most important shortcut! |
| P | Parameter dialog |
| Ctrl + \ | Tie view to camera |
| Ctrl + B | Maximize pane |
| Shift + Enter | Auto-connect when adding node |
| Space + F | Frame selected |
| Space + G | Home selected |
| L | Frame selected nodes in network |
| Y | Scissors to cut wire connections |
| Shift + S | Toggle wire style (round/straight) |
| Shift + P | Add note/sticky note |
| Shift + O | Place selected in network box |
| Shift + C | Create subnetwork from selected |
| A + Drag | Align selected nodes vertically/horizontally |
| Alt + Drag | Duplicate node |
| J + Drag Wire | Connect multi-input/output wires |
| Ctrl + # (1-9) | Set shortcut bookmark |
| # (1-9) | Jump to shortcut bookmark |
Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Middle Mouse | Pan viewport |
| Right Mouse | Zoom viewport |
| Alt + Left Mouse | Tumble/Rotate viewport |
| Space | Maximize viewport |
| Home | Frame all geometry |
| G | Frame selected geometry |
| Ctrl + 1-4 | Switch to viewport 1-4 |
| D | Display options |
Selection
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| S | Select mode |
| 1 | Select points |
| 2 | Select edges |
| 3 | Select faces |
| 4 | Select objects |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + D | Deselect all |
| Ctrl + I | Invert selection |
| Shift + G | Select similar |
Transform
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| T | Transform/Translate mode |
| R | Rotate mode |
| E | Scale mode |
| Y | Handle mode |
| Enter | Confirm transformation |
| Esc | Cancel transformation |
| Hold Shift | Constrain to axis |
| Hold Ctrl | Snap to grid |
Node Creation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab | Open node creation menu |
| Shift + A | Add node (alternative) |
| X | Delete selected nodes |
| Ctrl + C | Copy nodes |
| Ctrl + V | Paste nodes |
| Ctrl + D | Duplicate nodes |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
Network Editor
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| L | Layout nodes |
| F | Frame network |
| C | Color code nodes |
| U | Go up network level |
| I | Go into selected node |
| Alt + Click | Bypass node |
| Shift + Click | Add to selection |
| Ctrl + Click | Multi-select nodes |
| Shift + Drag | Move node and all connected above |
| Ctrl + Drag | Move node and all connected below |
| Alt + Drag Wires | Create merge node from multiple wires |
Modeling
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Q | Quick marking menu |
| P | Point mode |
| V | Vertex mode |
| F | Face mode |
| Ctrl + X | Cut/Split |
| J | Join/Bridge |
| K | Knife tool |
| Ctrl + E | Extrude |
Animation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| K | Set keyframe |
| Alt + Shift + K | Delete keyframe |
| Left Arrow | Previous frame |
| Right Arrow | Next frame |
| Up Arrow | Next keyframe |
| Down Arrow | Previous keyframe |
| Space | Play/Pause animation |
| Alt + V | Play backwards |
File Operations
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New scene |
| Ctrl + O | Open scene |
| Ctrl + S | Save scene |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Save as |
| Ctrl + I | Import |
| Ctrl + E | Export |
| F12 | Render current frame |
| Ctrl + F12 | Render animation |
Interface
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| F1 | Help documentation |
| F9 | Render view |
| F10 | Render controls |
| F11 | Parameter spreadsheet |
| Alt + 1 | Scene view |
| Alt + 2 | Composite view |
| Alt + 3 | Animation editor |
| Tab | Hide/Show UI |
💡 Pro Tips
- • Many shortcuts are context-sensitive - they work differently in different modes
- • Hold Shift with transform tools to constrain movement to specific axes
- • The Tab menu is your best friend - it's the fastest way to create nodes
- • Middle-mouse button is essential for navigation - practice using it constantly
- • Use Ctrl + # to bookmark node positions, then # to jump back instantly
- • Customize shortcuts in Edit → Hotkeys for your personal workflow