Reset your view with the numpad period key or the View menu

The fastest way to reset your view in Blender is to press the numpad period key (.) on your keyboard. This centers your 3D viewport on all objects in your scene and zooms to fit them on screen. If you are working on a laptop without a numpad, you can use the View menu instead: go to View > Frame All to achieve the same result.

Resetting your view is useful when you have zoomed in too far, panned off-screen, or rotated the viewport so much that you cannot find your model anymore. It brings you back to a neutral angle where you can see everything at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Press numpad period (.) to when ready center and zoom to fit all objects in your 3D viewport.
  • On laptops without a numpad, use View > Frame All from the menu bar to reset your view.
  • Frame Selected (numpad slash or View > Frame Selected) zooms to fit only the object you have chosen, not the entire scene.
  • If your numpad keys do not work, check that Num Lock is turned on and that you are not in Edit Mode with a different numpad function active.
  • Resetting the view does not change your model or undo any work — it only adjusts the camera angle and zoom level.

Using the numpad period key

The numpad period key is the primary shortcut for resetting your view in Blender. Make sure your Num Lock is turned on first — if Num Lock is off, the numpad keys will not respond. Then press the period key on the numpad (the small number pad on the right side of most keyboards).

Your viewport will when ready zoom out and center on all objects in your scene. If you have multiple objects spread across different locations, they will all fit on screen. If your scene is empty, the view will reset to the default starting position.

This shortcut works in Object Mode and Edit Mode. If you are in Edit Mode and have selected specific vertices or faces, pressing numpad period will still frame all objects in the scene, not just your selection.

Resetting view from the menu

If your keyboard does not have a numpad or the shortcut is not working, use the menu bar instead. Click View at the top of the 3D viewport, then select Frame All. This performs the exact same action as pressing numpad period.

The View menu also contains other framing options. Frame Selected zooms to fit only the objects you have currently selected, rather than everything in the scene. This is useful when you want to focus on one model while ignoring the rest of your workspace.

Difference between Frame All and Frame Selected

Frame All (numpad period or View > Frame All) zooms and centers on every object in your scene, regardless of whether you have selected them. Use this when you need to see the big picture or when you have lost track of where your model is.

Frame Selected (numpad slash or View > Frame Selected) zooms and centers only on the objects you have chosen. This is helpful when you are working on one part of a larger scene and want to zoom in on just that object without seeing the rest of the workspace.

If nothing is selected in your scene, Frame Selected will do nothing. You must have at least one object highlighted before this command will work.

Troubleshooting numpad shortcuts

If pressing numpad period does not reset your view, check these common issues. First, verify that Num Lock is turned on — look for the Num Lock indicator light on your keyboard. Without it, the numpad keys send different signals to Blender.

Second, make sure you are pressing the actual numpad period key, not the period key on the main keyboard. The numpad is the separate cluster of number keys, usually on the right side of your keyboard. On some laptops, the numpad is hidden and requires holding the Fn key.

Third, check whether you are in a mode where numpad shortcuts are disabled. Some Blender operations, like text editing or certain modal tools, override numpad input. Press Escape to exit any active tool and try again.

Resetting view on laptops without a numpad

Laptops and compact keyboards often do not have a physical numpad. If your keyboard lacks one, the menu method is your most reliable option: go to View > Frame All every time you need to reset your view.

Some laptops have a hidden numpad layer that activates when you hold Fn and press certain keys. Check your keyboard's documentation to see if this applies to yours. If it does, you can use Fn + numpad period to trigger the shortcut.

You can also create a custom keyboard shortcut in Blender if you use the menu method frequently. Go to Edit > Preferences > Keymap, search for "Frame All", and assign a key combination that works on your keyboard.

What resetting your view does and does not do

Resetting your view changes only the camera angle and zoom level in the 3D viewport. It does not modify your model, delete objects, undo your work, or change any settings in your scene. Your model remains exactly as it was before you reset the view.

The reset also does not affect other viewports or windows in Blender. If you have multiple 3D viewports open, resetting the view in one viewport does not change the others. Each viewport has its own independent camera position and zoom level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset the view without using the numpad?

Yes. Use the View menu at the top of the 3D viewport and select Frame All. This works on any keyboard, including laptops without a numpad. You can also create a custom keyboard shortcut in Preferences > Keymap if you use this command often.

Does resetting the view undo my work?

No. Resetting the view only changes what you see on screen — it does not modify, delete, or change any part of your model. Your work is completely safe. If you want to undo actual changes to your model, use Ctrl+Z instead.

What is the difference between numpad period and numpad slash?

Numpad period (.) resets the view to show all objects in your scene. Numpad slash (/) zooms to show only the objects you have selected. If nothing is selected, numpad slash will not work.

Why does my numpad not work in Blender?

Check that Num Lock is turned on. If it is, make sure you are pressing the numpad keys and not the main keyboard keys. On laptops, you may need to hold Fn while pressing the numpad keys. If shortcuts still do not work, use the View menu instead.

Can I reset the view in Edit Mode?

Yes. Numpad period and the View menu work in Edit Mode the same way they do in Object Mode. The view will reset to frame all objects in your scene, not just the vertices or faces you have selected.