by nickberckley·Workflow
Images © nickberckley. Used for product review; image policy.
Bake Shape Keys stands out in the blender_extensions library because it fills gaps in Blender's native shape key handling, extending Bake Action to shape key animations and adding duplicate, split, and merge operations that preserve animation data.
Bake Shape Keys is a Blender add-on aimed at animators and artists who work with shape keys and shape key animations. It handles duplicating, merging, and splitting shape keys, and bakes shape key actions with correct interpolation, step, and frame rate, many of these operations available with a single click. The add-on automates Blender's shape key workflow so animators can focus on animating.
It was originally developed for stop-motion production, so it includes tools for creating and managing 3D-printable replacement parts for puppets. Its general shape key features are also useful for modelers and sculptors who want to work more non-destructively. Bake Shape Key Action works similarly to Blender's default Bake Action, which doesn't support shape key animations, keyframing values for all shape keys on each frame with precise control over frame range, step, and interpolation.
Operators related to shape key animation sit in the Object - Animation menu in object mode, while the duplicate, split, and merge tools live in the Specials menu of the shape key panel in data properties. The developer references a Blender Conference presentation explaining the concept.
Bake Shape Keys is best for animators working with shape keys, stop-motion productions needing 3D-printable replacement parts, and modelers or sculptors who want a more non-destructive shape key workflow.
Bake Shape Keys is completely free to download and use.
Bake Shape Keys supports Blender 4.2 LTS and newer, so it runs on current LTS builds and later releases. The listed version is 1.4.0, last updated on 2024-02-20. If you're on an older Blender build, you would need to upgrade to at least 4.2 LTS to install it. Staying within the supported range is the safest way to make sure the add-on installs and runs as intended. For current compatibility details, check the developer's page on GitHub.
Bake Shape Keys places its operators in two locations. Operators related to shape key animation, such as Bake Shape Key Action, are found in the Object - Animation menu in object mode. The tools for shape key sculpting, meaning duplicate, split, and merge, are located in the Specials menu of the shape key panel in data properties. At the end of that same panel you'll also find the Keyframe All Shape Keys option. Knowing both spots makes the animation and sculpting features easier to reach.
Bake Shape Keys is listed as free here and is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. That license covers how you can use, modify, and redistribute the add-on. For the latest terms and any licensing updates, refer to the developer's page on GitHub. We don't quote specific pricing, so check that source directly if you need current details before relying on it in production.
Bake Shape Keys includes a Bake Shape Key Action operator that works similarly to Blender's default Bake Action, which doesn't support shape key animations. It looks through the entire shape key animation and keyframes the values for all shape keys on each frame, with precise control over frame range, step, and interpolation. This is useful for both 3D and stop-motion animation where frame-by-frame changes and constant interpolation matter. Baked animations can also feed the Objects from Shape Keys function for 3D-printed replacement parts.
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