Keyboard Shortcuts & Controls
Every Studio keyboard shortcut, including the mode-specific keys, plus how to interact with the canvas directly.
On this page
The Core Shortcuts
These shortcuts work in any mode and cover the actions you use constantly. Playback and undo are the two you will reach for most, so they are worth committing to muscle memory early.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Spacebar | Play or pause the simulation |
| Spacebar twice quickly | Restart the run from the beginning |
| Escape | Show or hide the interface |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo the last settings change |
| Ctrl + Y (or Ctrl + Shift + Z) | Redo |
| Alt + S | Save |
| Shift + Alt + R | Reset all settings to factory defaults (asks first) |
Spacebar and Ctrl+Z are the two you will use constantly, play/pause to check a change, undo to step back from one you do not like.
Mode-Specific Keys
A couple of keys do something only in the mode they belong to. These let you control a run directly instead of hunting for a button.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| S | Freeze or unfreeze the ring rotation (Escape mode), handy for lining up a shot. |
| B | Throw the ball (Spiral mode), using the Throw Angle and Throw Power you set. |
Interacting with the Canvas
Beyond shortcuts, several modes let you interact with the canvas directly, for example placing or nudging elements with the mouse. When a mode supports direct interaction, the relevant control appears in its settings section. Combine direct interaction with pause (Spacebar) to set things up precisely before you play.
Resetting Without Fear
You cannot break anything permanently. Ctrl+Z steps back through your recent changes, and Shift+Alt+R resets every setting to factory defaults after asking you to confirm. Because a full reset is one keystroke away, it is safe to experiment aggressively, push a setting to an extreme, see what it does, and undo or reset if you do not like it.
On Mobile
On a touch device you build and preview with taps and drags instead of a keyboard. The full control set is available, though final high-resolution exports are best done on a desktop. You can also install ballengine.app as a web app (Add to Home Screen) for a more app-like experience.
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