Shelf tools

How to use and customize the strip of icon buttons across the top of the main window.

See also: Tab menu

The shelf is the strip of icons along the top of the main window. It gives you quick access to commonly used functions in Houdini.

Using the shelf

To... Do this

Find the function you want

  • Click the tabs to see the functions available.

  • Hold the mouse over an item on the shelf to see its label and a brief description of what it does. While the tooltip is open, press F1 to see the full online help for the item.

Customize the shelf

See how to customize the shelf.

Subtopics

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  • Lights and Cameras tab
    Adds a light or camera to the scene.
  • Auto Rigs tab
    Tools on the Auto Rigs tab let you create custom auto rig characters in the scene view.
  • Character tab
    Tools on the Character tab let you create characters in the scene view.
  • Cloth tab
    Tools on the Cloth tab let you create and constrain cloth objects in the scene view.
  • Create Particles tab
    Tools on the Create Particles tab let you create and place particles in the scene view.
  • Create tab
    Tools on the Create tab let you create and place primitives, curves, and null objects in the scene view.
  • Customize the shelf
  • Deform tab
    Tools on the Deform tab let you deform objects in the scene view.
  • Drive Particles tab
    Tools on the Drive Particles tab let you manipulate particle systems in the scene view.
  • Drive Simulation tab
    Tools on the Drive Simulation tab let you manipulate dynamic objects in the scene view.
  • Fire and Smoke tab
    Tools on the Fire and Smoke tab let you create fire and smoke objects in the scene view.
  • Liquid tab
    Tools on the Liquid tab let you create volume and particle based liquids in the scene view.
  • Model tab
    Tools on the Model tab let you edit objects in the scene view.
  • Modify tab
    Tools on the Modify tab let you easily customize objects in the scene view.
  • Polygon tab
    Tools on the Polygon tab let you modify polygons in the scene view.
  • Rigid Bodies tab
    Tools on the Rigid Bodies tab let you create dynamic RBD objects in the scene view.
  • Texture tab
    Tools on the Texture tab let you texture objects in the scene view.
  • Wires tab
    Tools on the Wires tab let you create flexible dynamic objects in the scene view.