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Animation Layers

by Tal Hershko·Workflow

Images © Tal Hershko. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Animation Layers earns its place for translating Blender's NLA Editor into a familiar layers workflow that runs in the viewport, and it currently ranks 26th on superhive.

What is Animation Layers?

Animation Layers is a Blender addon from Tal Hershko that simplifies working with the NLA Editor by turning it into a standard animation layers workflow. You edit animation or mocap data using a familiar layers UI directly in the 3D viewport, creating, selecting and editing each layer while always seeing the end result.

Layer influence is handled through NLA's Mute, Influence, Solo and Blending modes, and you can add or remove layers as you go. When the animation is ready, layers can be merged or baked into a new layer, with a smart bake option that keeps the same overall keyframe count. Later versions add Layer Hierarchies for parenting layers, Shapekey Layers on selected mesh objects, Multikey Tools, a basic inbetweener, and Extract Marked Keyframes for cleaning mocap.

Updates arrive through a built-in auto updater, and the addon works with Blender 4.4 Slots while still supporting older versions. Documentation is included, and the developer runs a Discord channel for updates, feedback and support.

Who is Animation Layers best for?

Animation Layers is best for blender animators and mocap editors working with layered animation through the NLA Editor.

How much does Animation Layers cost?

Animation Layers is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Standard animation layers UI and workflow that simplifies Blender's NLA Editor, used directly in the 3D viewport
  • Create, select and edit each layer while always seeing the end result
  • Control layer influence using NLA's Mute, Influence, Solo and Blending modes
  • Merge layers or bake into a new layer, with a smart bake option that keeps the same overall keyframe count
  • Layer Hierarchies for parenting layers to other layers for organisation and structure
  • Shapekey Layers on selected mesh objects, with create, delete, merge, bake and extract
  • Extract Marked Keyframes to build a new layer from timeline-marked keyframes for cleaning mocap

Tags

#Blender#animation#animation layers#NLA Editor#mocap#shape keys#keyframes

Frequently asked questions

Does Animation Layers work with Blender 4.4?

Animation Layers upgraded in version 2.1.9.5 to work together with Blender 4.4 Slots, and it still works with older Blender versions as well. Updates are delivered through the built-in auto updater, so you can pull the latest release from within the addon. If you need to confirm behaviour on a specific Blender release, the developer's page and the included documentation are the best places to check current supported versions before installing.

Does Animation Layers keep the same keyframe count when baking?

Animation Layers lets you merge your layers or bake them into a new layer once you're happy with the animation. If you want to keep the same amount of overall keyframes after baking, the smart bake option handles that. Smart bake also carries over features such as speed and offset time controls, the custom layer frame range, and repeat and reverse settings, so those per-layer properties are respected in the baked result rather than being lost.

Can Animation Layers edit shape key animation?

Animation Layers includes Shapekey Layers, which are available only on selected mesh objects. You choose the data type, either 'Object' or 'Shapekey', from the top of the addon's panel. From there you can create, delete, merge, bake and extract shapekey layers, using the same layer operations that apply to object animation. This brings the standard animation layers workflow to shape key animation on meshes, so you manage both transforms and shape keys through the same panel.

Is Animation Layers free?

Animation Layers is listed as free here in our catalog. Pricing and licensing can change over time, so for the current terms it's best to check the developer's page directly. The addon is distributed with an auto updater for pulling new versions, and documentation is available to help you get started. For questions about licensing or usage, developer Tal Hershko maintains a Discord channel for updates, feedback and support.

Alternatives to Animation Layers

Also in Workflow for Blender.

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