How to Add an Empty Object in Blender

Adding an empty object in Blender is a quick process essential for 3D modeling, rigging, and animation workflows. Empty objects serve as non-rendering visual handles, reference points, or transform parents for other objects in your scene without adding geometry. This guide covers the step-by-step methods to insert an Empty object using keyboard shortcuts and top menus, as well as the main types of Empties available and their common uses.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding an Empty

You can add an Empty object in the 3D Viewport using either a keyboard shortcut or the main header menu.

Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

  1. Click inside the 3D Viewport to ensure it is active.
  2. Position your 3D Cursor where you want the Empty to appear (left-click with the Cursor Tool or press Shift + Right-Click).
  3. Press Shift + A on your keyboard to open the Add Menu.
  4. Hover over Empty.
  5. Left-click on the display type you prefer (e.g., Plain Axes).

Method 2: Using the Top Menu

  1. In the upper-left corner of the 3D Viewport, click the Add menu.
  2. Navigate down to Empty.
  3. Select your desired Empty type from the sub-menu.

Empty Object Display Types

Blender offers several visual representations for Empty objects. Changing the display type does not affect functionality, but it helps distinguish different Empties in complex scenes:

  • Plain Axes: Displays simple X, Y, and Z axis lines.
  • Arrows: Displays X, Y, and Z axes with direction arrows.
  • Single Arrow: Displays a single arrow pointing along the positive Z-axis.
  • Circle / Cube / Sphere / Cone: Displays basic wireframe geometric shapes.
  • Image: Creates an Empty designed specifically to display background reference images or blueprints.

You can change an existing Empty's display type anytime by selecting it, going to the Object Data Properties tab (the green Empty icon in the Properties panel), and changing the Display As setting.

Common Use Cases for Empty Objects

  • Parenting and Grouping: Link multiple objects to a single Empty to control their position, rotation, and scale simultaneously.
  • Modifier Offsets: Use an Empty as an offset target for modifiers, such as controlling object spacing in an Array Modifier or defining coordinates for a Displace Modifier.
  • Constraint Targets: Direct cameras, lights, or armature bones to track an Empty using constraints like Track To or Copy Location.
  • Camera Focus: Set an Empty as the target for a camera’s Depth of Field focus point to control blur dynamically during animation.