How to Clear a Sculpt Mask in Blender

Masking in Blender's Sculpt Mode allows artists to isolate specific areas of a 3D model to prevent them from being modified during sculpting. This guide provides a quick overview of how to clear, invert, and manage sculpt masks in Blender using standard keyboard shortcuts and top-bar menu options to keep your 3D workflow efficient.

The Quickest Shortcut to Clear a Mask

The fastest way to clear an active sculpt mask in Blender is by using the primary keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows / Linux: Press Alt + M
  • Mac: Press Option + M

Ensure your mouse cursor is positioned inside the 3D Viewport and that Blender is currently set to Sculpt Mode. Once pressed, all masked regions on your object will instantly clear.

Clearing a Mask via the Top Menu

If you prefer using the user interface over keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Verify you are in Sculpt Mode.
  2. Click on the Mask menu in the top header bar of the 3D Viewport.
  3. Select Clear Mask from the drop-down list.

Using the Mask Pie Menu

Blender includes a convenient gesture menu for quick access to masking operations:

  1. Hover your cursor over the 3D Viewport.
  2. Press A to open the Mask pie menu.
  3. Move your mouse toward Clear Mask (or click it) to remove the mask.

Managing masks effectively often requires more than just clearing them. Here are key shortcuts to help streamline your masking process:

  • Invert Mask: Press Ctrl + I (Mac: Cmd + I) to reverse the masked and unmasked areas.
  • Invert Mask Gesture: Hold Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and Left-Click on an empty space in the Viewport.
  • Box Mask: Press B to draw a rectangular mask over your mesh.
  • Lasso Mask: Hold Shift + Ctrl + Left-Click and drag to select a freehand area to mask.