Blender Inset Multiple Faces Individually: The I + I Trick You Need

Blender Inset Multiple Faces Individually

Stop insetting all faces at once — learn how to blender inset multiple faces individually for finer control over your 3D models.

If you want to blender inset multiple faces individually instead of as one grouped outline, there’s a simple two‑key shortcut that changes everything.

Why “Inset Individual” Matters in Blender

The standard Inset Faces tool (I) is great for creating uniform borders around a selection of faces. But what if you need each face to inset on its own — like a grid of buttons, a honeycomb pattern, or a set of recessed panels?

That’s where insetting individual faces comes in. It turns one operation into many simultaneous, independent insets. And once you know the trick, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

This tutorial walks you through the exact workflow using a simple subdivided plane. No prior experience needed.

Step‑by‑Step: Blender Inset Multiple Faces Individually

1. Start with a Plane

Open Blender and delete the default cube (or keep it – your choice).
Press Shift + A → Mesh → Plane.
Tab into Edit Mode.

2. Subdivide to Create More Faces

You cannot inset multiple faces if you only have one face.

Select the plane (press A to select all if needed).
Right‑click → Subdivide.
In the bottom‑left pop‑up, set Number of Cuts to 4 (or any number that gives you a grid).
Now you have a grid of small square faces.

3. Select All Faces

Press A to select every face on the plane.

4. The Magic Shortcut: I + I

Here’s the core of the technique:

Press I once – that starts the normal inset operation.
Immediately press I again (so: I, then I).

Watch what happens: each face now insets individually, creating a separate inset square inside every original face. You can move your mouse to control the inset amount, then click to confirm.

💡 This works because the second I toggles Individual mode. Without it, Blender insets the outer boundary of the entire selection.

5. Extrude for Extra Depth (Optional)

After insetting individually, you can push the new inner faces in or out:

With the inner faces still selected, press E to extrude.
Move your mouse up or down, then click to confirm.

You’ve just created a detailed embossed or recessed pattern in seconds.

Visual Demonstration

If you prefer watching over reading, the video below shows every click in under 90 seconds – from adding a plane to the final individual insets.

🎥 Watch the full tutorial here:
👉 Blender: Inset Multiple Faces Individually (Video Walkthrough)

Key Takeaways

Action	Shortcut / Method
Subdivide a plane	Right‑click → Subdivide → Cuts: 4
Select all faces	`A`
Inset all faces as a group	`I` (once)
Inset each face individually	`I` + `I` (press twice quickly)
Extrude	`E`
Undo	`Ctrl + Z`

Practical Uses for Individual Face Inset

Sci‑fi panels – Create arrays of recessed details on spaceship hulls.
Floor tiles – Model a grid of slightly lowered or raised tiles.
Buttons & keycaps – Perfect for keyboards or control panels.
Decorative patterns – Islamic geometric designs, waffle grids, or basket weaves.
Low‑poly stylized art – Add controlled surface variation without extra subdivisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I pressed I twice but nothing changed – what went wrong?

Make sure you have multiple faces selected (e.g., a subdivided grid). The I + I trick only works when Blender has more than one face to work with. Also, press I twice in quick succession – not two separate key presses with a long pause.

Q2: Can I use this on a curved surface (like a sphere)?

Yes. Select a set of faces on any mesh (sphere, cylinder, cube, etc.), then press I twice. The insets will follow the local orientation of each face.

Q3: How do I control the inset amount precisely?

After pressing I + I, move your mouse to adjust visually. Or type a number (e.g., 0.02) and press Enter. You can also use the Adjust Last Operation panel (bottom‑left) after confirming.

Q4: What’s the difference between `I` and `I + I`?

I = Boundary inset – insets the outer perimeter of your entire face selection.
I + I = Individual inset – insets every selected face separately, like a grid of tiny frames.

Q5: Does this work in Blender 2.8, 3.x, and 4.x?

Yes. The I + I behaviour has been consistent since Blender 2.8. It works in all recent versions.

Pro Tips for Better Results

Use with Wireframe display – Turn on Wireframe view (Shift + Z) to see each face’s boundaries clearly before insetting.
Combine with Bevel – After individual insets, add a Bevel modifier for softer, more realistic edges.
Apply scale first – If your object is non‑uniformly scaled, press Ctrl + A → Scale before insetting to avoid stretching.
LoopTools add‑on – For advanced layouts (like circles inside a grid), enable LoopTools and use “Circle” after individual insets.

What to Do Next

Once you’ve mastered blender inset multiple faces individually, here’s how to keep improving:

Practice on different shapes – Try a cylinder’s top faces, then a sphere’s selected quads.
Add extrusions in opposite directions – Some faces go up, some down for complex patterns.
Apply materials – Assign different colours to the original faces and the inset faces for instant visual contrast.
Watch the full video tutorial – It covers everything above with live narration and visual feedback.

👉 Click here to watch the complete “Blender Inset Multiple Faces Individually” video

Final Thoughts

The individual inset tool (I + I) is one of Blender’s most underrated modeling shortcuts. It turns repetitive manual work into a single, elegant operation. Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or a seasoned modeler looking to speed up your workflow, this trick will save you time and open new design possibilities.

Now go open Blender, add a plane, subdivide it, and press I twice. You’ll never go back to the old way.

Enjoyed this guide?
Clap 👏 (50 claps help others find it), leave a comment with your favourite use for individual insets, and follow for more Blender shortcuts and 3D modeling tutorials.

Happy modeling 🧊

by Blenderian

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