Did you just open Blender for the first time? Or maybe you've finally committed to starting a brand new 3D project on the platform. No matter where you're at, it's normal to feel intimidated by Blender’s vast open-source software. But you have a team waiting to help you bring your vision to life–plugins.
Blender plugins serve as your sidekick in your next creative adventure. Through these customized tools, you can create faster on the platform without the hassle of making everything from scratch.
Below, we’ll break down the best plugins for Blender in 2024 and how they can help kickstart your next 3D project.
What Is Blender?
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation software that allows users to model, rig, animate, simulate, and render 3D graphics. It features a comprehensive set of tools and a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to beginners and professionals alike.
Blender supports various file formats, including FBX, OBJ, and 3DS, and is used for animation, video game development, visual effects, and architectural visualization. It is continuously updated with new features and improvements by a community of developers and users worldwide.
Short on time? Here’s our list of the List of Best Plugins for Blender.
1. Cargo
2. UV Packmaster 3
3. OCD (Once Click Damage)
4. Hard Ops and Boxcutter
5. MACHIN3 TOOLS
6. Cablerator
7. Auto-rig Pro
8. BAM Tool
9. Zen UV
10. Geo Scatter
Best Plugins for Blender in 2024
1. Cargo
There is no shortcut to a professional look for your next 3D project, but there is a time-saving foundation with Cargo.
Cargo is an asset browser plugin that gives you access to over 15,000 premium 3D models and materials from KitBash3D (that’s us). With 1-click import to Blender, powerful search and filtering, and a vast library of 3D assets from a wide variety of genres, Cargo houses one of the largest asset libraries for Blender.
Free Version: Yes, there’s a free version of Cargo that includes a selection of assets that can be used under a non-commercial license
Cost: Cargo is a subscription tool with three levels of access, Personal (starting at $19/month), Professional (starting at $49/month), and Teams (starting at $99/month).
How It Helps: Cargo gives you access to 15,000 3D models and materials for any creative project.
2. UV Pack Master
Achieving a clean and efficient UV layout is no easy task, but UV Packmaster 3 makes it seamless, landing it at number two on our best plugins for Blender list this year.
UV Packmaster 3 is a powerful UV packing engine designed to save time and optimize texture space. With features like efficient UV packing algorithms, support for multiple tiles, and advanced customization options, this plugin is a must-have for anyone dealing with complex UV maps in Blender. It offers a balance between automation and control, allowing you to achieve the most efficient UV layouts for your 3D models.
Free Version: No, UV Packmaster 3 is not free
Cost: The full version with advanced features is available for $44
How It Helps: UV Packmaster 3 optimizes texture space with powerful packing algorithms, saving you time and resources
3. OCD (One Click Damage)
Infuse realism into your 3D models with the simplicity of One Click Damage (OCD).
OCD is a time-saving tool that automates the process of adding wear and tear effects to your models. With just a single click, you can apply realistic damage effects like scratches, dents, and weathering to any surface, enhancing the authenticity of your 3D scenes. This plugin allows for easy customization of damage intensity and style, giving your models a lived-in, realistic look without the hassle of manual texturing.
Free Version: No free version is available, but the convenience is worth every penny.
Cost: $25
How It Helps: OCD adds realistic wear and tear to your models with one click, streamlining the process of texturing.
4. Hard Ops and Boxcutter
A sculptor wouldn’t enter a studio without a chisel and knife, and a 3D creator wouldn’t open Blender without Hard Ops and Boxcutter.
These are two plugins that work together to create complex models in Blender. Hard Ops is a modeling toolkit with features like bevels, boolean operations, and mesh management. Boxcutter is a cutting tool that allows you to make precise cuts in your models. Both plugins are paid, but they offer a lot of value for their price.
Free Version: No, but if you plan on building models (which you should), it’s a necessity.
Cost: $38
How it Helps: Hard Ops and Boxcutter will save you time on keystrokes while building complex models.
5. MACHIN3tools
To take your modeling up a level, you’ll need MACHIN3tools.
This versatile Blender plugin is designed to optimize and simplify the 3D modeling process. This comprehensive add-on offers Pie menus with 11 new custom tools and 24 essential tools and shortcuts, including mesh editing, selection, and transformation operations. With MACHIN3tools, you can streamline your modeling workflows, save time on repetitive tasks, and focus on creativity. The plugin enhances productivity, making it an invaluable asset for Blender users across all levels of expertise.
Free Version: No, but there is a basic version that costs less than a Jimmy John’s sandwich
Cost: Prime ($4.99), DeusEx ($14.99, which includes Edge Constrained Transform + Group Gizmos and Group Poses + Punch It Manifold Extrusion)
How it Helps: MACHIN3tools enhances your 3D modeling so you can focus on creating instead of mind-numbing tasks
6. Cablerator
Transform your scenes with intricate cable networks using Cablerator.
Cablerator is the go-to plugin for generating cables, wires, and other flexible objects in Blender. It provides a range of tools to easily create and modify cables with various styles, thicknesses, and materials. Whether you're designing futuristic environments or industrial scenes, Cablerator enables you to add dynamic and detailed cable networks quickly, enhancing the visual complexity of your projects.
Free Version: No, but the efficiency in creating complex cable systems is invaluable
Cost: $14 for one personal license
How It Helps: Cablerator allows you to create intricate cable networks with ease, adding depth and realism to your scenes
7. Auto-Rig Pro
Bringing a humanoid or creature character to life starts with a strong set of bones.
With the Auto-Rig Pro Blender plugin, you’ll get all the tools to rig characters and retarget animations. From building your character from scratch to activating them in a scene, Auto-Rig Pro allows you to customize rig definitions with a few clicks and duplicate or remove limbs. Plus, Auto-Rig Pro’s Smart feature can automatically place bones on humanoid characters to speed up the process.
Free Version: No, but they offer a Lite version with core tools.
Cost: Lite ($25), Full ($50), Full (10 users for $162), Full (20 users for $227)
How it Helps: Rig and animate your characters with a couple of clicks.
8. BAM Tool (Free!)
A universal tool for Batch Setup/Update of Materials in Blender, and one of our best plugins for Blender in 2024.
Created by KitBash3D’s own AlexeyHRDesign, BAM is an instrument for Blender that can handle the mass installation of materials and facilitate convenient workflows. Set up hundreds of materials from your texture library in 1 click, and manage them with the easy-to-use Material Manager.
Free Version: This tool is free to use.
Cost: $0
How it Helps: Working with multiple objects and numerous materials in Blender has never been easier.
9. Zen UV
To build dynamic assets, you need powerful UV mapping. That’s why our team at KitBash3D uses Zen UV.
This advanced UV mapping tool for Blender is aimed at improving and simplifying the UV unwrapping process. This plugin offers various features, such as intuitive UV packing algorithms, automatic seam placement, and customizable UV island arrangement. By optimizing UV layouts, Zen UV enables you to achieve higher texture quality and minimize texture distortion, significantly enhancing your final output of 3D models and ensuring more efficient and accurate texturing workflows.
Free Version: No, but once you license Zen UV, they provide affordable add-ons.
Cost: Standard ($34), Studio (2-5 users for $99), Studio (6-14 users for $238), Studio (15 - 50 users $544)
How it Helps: Zen UV offers the foundational tools for efficient UV mapping.
10. Geo Scatter
Take your landscapes to the next level with Geo Scatter, the ultimate scattering plugin, and our final choice on the list of best plugins for Blender in 2024.
Geo Scatter is designed to automate the process of distributing objects across surfaces in Blender. With features like advanced scattering algorithms, support for various distribution patterns, and intuitive controls, Geo Scatter makes it easy to populate large environments with natural-looking distributions of rocks, plants, and other objects. It's perfect for artists looking to create lush forests, detailed terrains, or any other scenes requiring complex scattering.
Free Version: Yes, Geo Scatter offers a free version with basic features.
Cost: $99 for an individual license.
How It Helps: Geo Scatter automates object distribution, enabling you to create realistic landscapes and environments efficiently.
You’ve got your best plugins for Blender. Time to create!
Blender is a 3D modeling software with a lot of customization options. With the help of our best plugins for Blender in 2024, you can create complex models quickly and easily. Whether you're a professional or an enthusiast, these tools can help you take your 3D modeling to the next level.
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