Complete ZBrush keyboard shortcuts reference — 89 shortcuts across 24 categories. Quick reference cheat sheet for Windows & macOS.
ZBrush's shortcuts are mostly single letters with the cursor over the canvas, plus a set of Ctrl, Shift and Alt modifiers that change what a brush stroke does — mask, smooth, subtract — rather than opening menus. The table follows Maxon's reference. Learn the modifier behaviour and the brush-size keys before anything else; they are the difference between sculpting and clicking.
Modifiers change the stroke
With any brush selected, holding Shift + Ctrl switches to the selection or clip brush, holding Ctrl paints a mask and Ctrl + Alt erases one, and Alt flips between ZAdd and ZSub so the same brush pushes in instead of out; holding Shift alone smooths. Ctrl + I inverts the mask, Ctrl + A masks everything and Ctrl + H toggles mask visibility. X turns symmetry on, which is usually the first key pressed on a new sculpt.
Brushes, size and navigation
B opens the brush pop-up, and typing two more letters picks a brush without the mouse: B, S, T is Standard, B, M, E Move Elastic, B, C, C ClipCurve. ] and [ change draw size in steps, S opens the size slider and U Z intensity. Q, W, E and R are Draw, Move, Scale and Rotate, and T toggles Edit mode — if strokes seem to paint onto the canvas instead of the model, Edit mode is off. F fits the mesh to the view and P toggles perspective.
Subdivision, rendering and the interface
Ctrl + D divides the mesh (adds a subdivision level), D and Shift + D step up and down through existing levels; sculpt broad forms low and details high. Ctrl + W converts the current mask into a polygroup and clears it. Shift + R starts a Best Preview Render and Shift + Ctrl + T saves the tool (the model) as a ZTL. Tab hides the floating palettes for a clean canvas, Space opens the QuickMenu under the cursor, and , shows Lightbox for browsing projects and brushes.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my brush paint on the canvas instead of the model?
Edit mode is off. Press T to toggle it; the model must be in Edit mode to sculpt.
How do I mask part of the mesh?
Hold Ctrl and paint. Ctrl + Alt erases the mask, Ctrl + I inverts it, and Ctrl + H hides it from view.
How do I switch to a specific brush quickly?
Press B, then two letters: B, S, T for Standard, B, M, E for Move Elastic, B, C, C for ClipCurve. The pop-up shows the letters.
Ctrl + D versus D — which one adds geometry?
Ctrl + D adds a new subdivision level. D moves up to the next existing level and Shift + D down to the previous one.