Modeling · Beginner

Parenting

Linking objects so a child moves, turns and scales with its parent

Also called Parent and child, Object hierarchy

What is parenting in 3D?

Parenting is linking one object to another so the child follows the parent’s movement, rotation and scale, while still able to move on its own. A wheel parented to a car drives with it but can still spin. Chains of parents and children form a hierarchy for building rigs and scenes.

Think of it like this

Like a cup on a tray: carry the tray and the cup goes with it, but you can still slide the cup around on the tray.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Rig: Adding a skeleton and controls so the model can move.

How parenting works

  1. 01Pick the child objects, then the parent, and make the link.
  2. 02The child stores its position relative to the parent instead of the world.
  3. 03Move, rotate or scale the parent and the children follow.
  4. 04Move a child and only it changes; the parent stays put.

Parenting vs joining

PropertyParentingJoining
Objects afterwardStay separate, linked in a hierarchyBecome one object
Parts move aloneYesNo, they share one mesh
Undo the linkClear the parent any timeSeparate the parts by hand
Good forMoving parts, rigs, scene organizationStatic pieces of one model

Parent parts that need to move on their own, like doors and wheels; join parts that will always move together as one piece.

Where parenting is used

  • Wheels, doors and lids that travel with a vehicle
  • Attaching props to a character’s hand bone
  • Grouping scene pieces so they move together

Beginner tip

Apply the parent’s scale before parenting. A parent with uneven scale can stretch or skew its children in confusing ways when they rotate.

Terms related to parenting

Parenting FAQ

How do I parent objects in Blender?
Select the child, then Shift-click the parent so it is the active object, press Ctrl+P and choose Object. To undo it, select the child and press Alt+P.
Why does my child object move strangely?
Usually the parent has unapplied or uneven scale or rotation, which the child inherits. Clear the parent while keeping the transform, apply the parent’s scale, then parent again.
What is a parent in a 3D hierarchy?
The object at the top of a link. Everything below it, its children, follows its transforms. In the outliner, children appear nested under their parent.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms