> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://2yeet.gitbook.io/anvilcsg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://2yeet.gitbook.io/anvilcsg/workspace/overview.md).

# Workspace overview

Open the workspace with **Tools > Anvil > Workspace**.

The window is divided into five main areas:

1. Menu bar
2. Top toolbar
3. Tool sidebar
4. View panes
5. Status bar

## Menu bar

### File

* Save Scene
* Create Recovery Snapshot
* Recovery
* Build Map
* Close Workspace

### Edit

* Undo and Redo
* Select All and Deselect All
* Cut, Copy, Paste, Duplicate, and Delete
* Group and Ungroup

### View

* Frame Selection
* Panel Layout
* Reset Panel Sizes
* Grid Snap
* Texture Lock

### Help

* Quick Help
* Keyboard Shortcuts
* Help Tips

## Top toolbar

The top toolbar contains the common map controls:

* Undo and Redo
* Grid Snap
* Smaller and Larger Grid
* Rotation Snap
* Ruler
* New Brushes NoDraw
* Global Texture Scale
* Skybox
* Group and Ungroup
* Build Sections
* View Filters
* Overlays
* Check Map
* Test Physics
* Quick Export
* Full Map or Local Build Area scope
* Build Map

## Tool sidebar

The left sidebar contains:

* Select + Transform
* Box
* Wedge
* Cylinder
* Spike
* Stair
* Arch
* Arc
* Terrain
* Entity
* Face
* Edge
* Vertex
* Clip
* Carve
* Hollow
* Material Paint
* Texture Lock
* Magnet Snap

Clicking the active tool again returns to Select.

Escape cancels the current operation or returns to Select.

## View panes

Anvil has four view types:

* Top
* Front
* Side
* Perspective

The **View > Panel Layout** menu contains single, two-panel, three-panel, and four-panel layouts.

In a four-panel layout, use the view name in a pane header to move Perspective or an orthographic view into another quadrant.

Shift+Space maximizes the pane under the mouse. Press it again to restore the layout.

## Status bar

The status bar reports:

* Active tool
* Current action
* Mouse controls
* Cursor coordinates
* Ruler measurements
* Reasons an operation was rejected

Read the status bar when a click appears to do nothing. Many tools report the exact missing selection or unsupported geometry there.

## Editable and generated views

The workspace normally shows the editable source map.

After generated output is built, Anvil can show the generated map for testing. Clearing the generated output returns to the editable workspace.

Generated output is disposable. Keep all map changes in the source brushes.