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How do you rotate the camera around the origin in Blender?

Published in Blender Camera Controls 3 mins read

You can rotate the camera around the origin (0,0,0) in Blender primarily by using the Middle Mouse Button (MMB) while in the viewport. This orbits the view around a point of interest, which can be set to the origin.

Here's a breakdown of how to do it and related controls:

  • Basic Orbit: Click and drag the Middle Mouse Button (MMMB) in the viewport. This will rotate the view around the current point of interest.

  • Setting the Origin as the Point of Interest:

    1. Select an Object near the Origin: Ideally, select an object that is at the origin (or move an object temporarily to the origin).
    2. Frame the Selection: Press Numpad . (period). This will center the view on the selected object, effectively making the origin the new point of interest. The next orbit will revolve around this point.
  • Using Alt Key: Holding down the Alt key while using the MMB allows you to precisely define the orbit point:

    • Alt + MMB Click: Click on any point in the viewport while holding Alt. This point then becomes the center of rotation.
  • Canceling Orbit: Right Mouse Button (RMB) click cancels the orbit operation if you haven't released MMB.

  • Alternative Methods: While the MMB is the primary way, consider these alternatives:

    • Orbit Widget: You can also use the orbit widget in the top right corner of the 3D Viewport. Click and drag the sections of the circle to orbit the view.
    • Walking/Flying Navigation: Use Shift + F for fly/walk mode to freely navigate the scene, effectively rotating the "camera". WASD keys for movement, Mouse to steer.
    • Numpad Keys: The Numpad keys offer incremental view changes. They may not directly rotate around the origin in the way MMB does but can shift the view in useful ways.

In summary, using the Middle Mouse Button (MMB) is the primary method to rotate the camera around a point of interest in Blender. To rotate specifically around the origin, ensure the origin is set as the point of interest by framing an object at the origin using Numpad . (period) after selecting it.

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