Blender LoopTools Space Operator Explained

The Space operator in Blender's built-in LoopTools add-on is used to evenly distribute vertices along an edge loop or curve. This tool calculates the distance between the endpoints of a selected sequence of vertices—or across an entire closed loop—and repositions the interior vertices so they are spaced at equal intervals. It is primarily used to fix uneven topology, improve edge flow, and prepare geometry for modifiers like Subdivision Surface.

How the Space Operator Works

When modeling or sculpting, vertices frequently become clustered together or stretched apart, leading to pinching and poor shading. The Space tool resolves this by averaging the distances between all selected vertices without altering the general shape of the mesh path.

For an open edge loop, the two outermost vertices remain fixed in place, while all vertices in between are rearranged at uniform distances. For a closed loop (such as a ring), the operator shifts all vertices relative to one another to create equidistant segments around the entire circumference.

Key Settings and Controls

When you execute the Space operator, several options appear in the operator panel (bottom-left of the viewport or via F9) to fine-tune the result:

  • Interpolation: Determines the mathematical curve used to calculate vertex positions. Cubic preserves natural curves and transitions, while Linear forces straight-line interpolation between points.
  • Influence: Controls the strength of the operation from 0% to 100%. A lower value allows you to gently relax vertex spacing without forcing complete uniformity.
  • Lock Axis (X, Y, Z): Restricts vertex movement along specific global axes, preventing unwanted shifts in dimensional thickness or planar alignment.
  • Input / Selection: Allows the operator to treat the selection as a continuous loop, parallel loops, or multiple individual edge paths simultaneously.

Common Use Cases

  • Subdivision Surface Prep: Subdivision works best on quads with uniform size; the Space tool prevents artifacts caused by uneven edge density.
  • Topology Cleanup: Quickly fixes uneven segment distributions resulting from booleans, knife-cuts, or manual extrusions.
  • Hard-Surface Modeling: Ensures consistent beveling and inset operations by providing uniform edge spacing across curved surfaces.
  • Deformation and Rigging: Creates balanced geometry along bending joints (like elbows, knees, or mechanical hinges) to prevent irregular mesh collapse during animation.

How to Use the Space Tool

  1. Enable the add-on by navigating to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons and checking Mesh: LoopTools.
  2. Enter Edit Mode (Tab) on your mesh and switch to Vertex or Edge selection mode.
  3. Select the edge loop or string of vertices you want to redistribute.
  4. Right-click in the 3D Viewport, navigate to the LoopTools menu at the top of the context menu, and select Space.