# Extract Faces The **Extract Faces** operator lets you extract faces from an active mesh and add it to the scene as another mesh object. This operator is another "modal" operater in Blender like the **Auto Mirror**. Basically, this enters a mode where you have to input designated sets of hotkeys to activate certain functions. While in this mode, Blender's own hotkeys are disabled and only the modal operation hotkeys are accepted. This operator is a copy of the **Extract Faces** operator in **Creative Flow**. In **Random Flow** however, there is only one modal stage to the operation.

The UI that appears under the mouse cursor displays all the functionality you can execute inside the modal operation and their corresponding hotkeys. {% hint style="info" %} *LMB and RMB hotkeys are regarded as Left Mouse Button and Right Mouse Button respectively.* {% endhint %} ### Select Faces Your basic control for selecting faces for extraction. Click the `LMB` and drag anywhere on the surface of the active or source mesh and any faces underneath the mouse cursor will be highlighted for extraction.

You can use `RMB` to deselect these faces and remove them from extraction. ### Inset Faces This allows you to create a margin on your selected faces for extraction. You can do this by pressing `Ctrl` and dragging the mouse towards or away from the extract faces.

You can combine `Shift` to the hotkeys to slow down the scaling value to make finer adjustments. ### Select Plus This lets you quickly expand the face selection by pressing `Shift` and clicking the `LMB` (Left Mouse Button) anywhere on the surface of the active mesh.

Alternatively, you can use `Shift + RMB` to deselect faces from extraction. The selection expansion is limited by nonmanifold edges and sharp edges with an angle threshold of 30°. ### Select Loop This allows you to select faceloops. This is done by using the `Shift+Alt+LMB` for selection and `Shift+Alt+RMB` for deselection of faces for extraction.

You need to click near the middle of the edge where the face loop you want selected is heading towards as demonstrated in Figure 5. This is also done the same way when deselecting these faces. ### Select Plus Influence This determines the radius of the selection when using **Select Plus**.

In Figure 6, 0.4 influence values is tested first then 1.0. You can use the `A` hotkey to decrease and `D` to increase the influence value. Holding `Shift` along with the main hotkeys will slow down the value change for you to make finer adjustments. ### X-Ray This allows you to see the extract faces behind any obstruction such as object surfaces making it easier for you when rotating the active mesh.

### Toggle Help This shows another set of hotkeys that perform basic tasks like resetting the selected extract faces.

Think of this as page two of the help UI. You can press H again to toggle back between pages. ### Remove Selection This is the reverse of LMB with RMB deselecting faces from extraction under the mouse cursor and can be used in combination with other hotkeys to perform deselection like `Shift+RMB` for expanded selection removal.

### Undo Selection Undo function which removes you selection action based on history. This is done using the `Z` hotkey.

{% hint style="info" %} *There is no redo function so just be aware of that.* {% endhint %} ### Reset Inset This resets the **Inset Faces** value to zero. You can use the `T` hotkey for this.

### Reset Selection This clears you selected extract faces using the `R` hotkey allowing you to quickly start over again.

### Cancel Press `Escape` anytime to cancel the entire modal operation. ### Confirm Press `Enter` or `Space` to confirm the operation.

Your selected extract faces will be turned into a mesh object and added to the scene. It will also be the new selected active object so you can quickly edit it if you want. The **Extract Faces** operator can be used to create proxy meshes for randomized detail that require asymmetry when the active object is using the mirror modifier.

You can extract from different areas of the mirrored mesh for more variance. This feature of course has uses other than the one mentioned above since it basically creates another mesh from the faces of another object and adds them in the same position. {% hint style="info" %} *The Creative Flow version has two stages and uses the solidify modifier to give thickness to the extracted faces but you can also do this for Random Flow by just manually adding the modifier.* {% endhint %} You can also use this to create basemeshes to for auxilliary details on the main design or work mesh. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://www.blenderguppy.com/add-ons/random-flow/functions/mesh/extract-faces.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.