Recalculate normals
Correct the face directions used for surface orientation. The visible vertex positions stay unchanged.
Before you start
Enter Edit Mode and switch to Face Select. For a closed object, select the connected surface whose outward orientation should be consistent.
Use the operation
Make face orientation consistent after operations such as filling, bridging, or mirroring.
- Select the affected faces. Include the full connected shell when you want a consistent result across a closed object.
- Press Alt+N or open Normals from the face context menu.
- Choose Outside for an ordinary exterior surface or Inside for a surface intentionally facing inward, then inspect both sides.
Controls and choices
| Controls | What changes |
|---|---|
| Outside / Inside | Chooses the intended orientation. Open sheets and non-manifold junctions may not have an unambiguous inside and outside. |
| Selection | The command operates on selected faces. An unselected problem region may remain unchanged. |
| Shading | Recalculating orientation does not add geometry or replace Smooth/Flat shading. Fix duplicate or intersecting faces separately. |
See what changes
Before
An inward face direction
After
Consistent outward directions
Check the result
Look for consistent surface visibility and lighting. If a region still looks wrong, inspect holes, duplicate faces, and geometry intersections before repeating the command.
Practice in Show3D
Open the editor and follow the steps with your own scene.