by Baha Yalnız·Modeling
Images © Baha Yalnız. Used for product review; image policy.
Stands out in the superhive library for using real catenary curve equations rather than a simulation step to shape its cables.
Catenary Cables is a Blender add-on for building cables of different types quickly and with a realistic look. Rather than relying on physics, it uses real catenary curve equations, so cables sag and settle without any simulation step.
The add-on covers several cable types. You can create sagging cables, default cables and cable masses, and there are many ways to place them: between points, between faces, between objects, between vertices and more. Once a cable exists, you can draw and edit it, place segments along its length, split and merge curves, and insert vertices to refine the shape.
A documentation page and a video tutorial are available from the developer, and the add-on is released under the GPL license. Published around two years ago, Catenary Cables works with Blender versions 3.6 through 5.1, covering a wide span of releases.
Catenary Cables is best for blender users who need realistic cables and want control over the resulting curves.
Catenary Cables is completely free to download and use.
Catenary Cables lists support for Blender versions 3.6 through 5.1, covering a wide span of releases. If you're running a version inside that range, the add-on is intended to work for you. For versions outside it, check the developer's page and documentation before installing, since compatibility isn't stated beyond that range. The developer also provides a documentation page that covers the available cable and curve tools in more detail, which is worth reviewing before you get started.
Catenary Cables uses real catenary curve equations to shape its cables, so you can get realistic sagging results without running any simulation. Alongside sagging cables, it can create default cables and cable masses, and you can generate them between points, between faces, between objects, between vertices and more. This gives you several ways to place cables in a scene. For the full breakdown of each creation method, the developer's documentation page goes into further detail.
Catenary Cables includes several tools for working with cables after you create them. You can draw and edit cables, place segments along them, split and merge curves, and insert vertices. It also provides multiple creation methods, including between points, faces, objects and vertices. These options let you adjust the curves as you need. The documentation page lists the complete set of curve tools available in the add-on, so check it for the full details of how each one works.
Catenary Cables is listed as free in this catalog, and it's released under the GPL license. Pricing and licensing terms can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current details before you download. The developer also offers a documentation page and a video tutorial, both of which are worth reviewing to understand what the add-on includes and how its cable and curve tools are used in practice.
by Community
LoopTools is a mesh modelling toolkit for Blender that gathers several tools to aid modelling. It was previously part of Blender 4.1's bundled add-ons and is now offered as an extension, provided as it is with limited support.
by Community
Extra Mesh Objects is a Blender add-on that expands the Add > Mesh menu with additional mesh object types. Previously bundled with Blender 4.1, it now ships as a standalone extension for Blender 4.2 LTS and newer.
by nickberckley
Bool Tool brings quick boolean operators to Blender for hard-surface modeling, covering brush booleans, destructive auto boolean cuts, and workspace tools that carve objects with custom shapes in both object and edit modes.
by Community
Extra Curve Objects is a community add-on for Blender that adds extra curve object types. It lives under View3D → Add → Curve → Extra Objects and was previously part of Blender 4.1's bundled add-ons.
by MACHIN3
MESHmachine is a mesh modeling addon for Blender focused on hard surface work without subdivision surfaces. It fuses and unfuses surfaces, creates variable fillets and washouts, edits bevels, and details meshes with plugs.
by Community
A.N.T.Landscape is a Blender add mesh add-on for generating landscapes and displacement. Originally a bundled add-on in Blender 4.1, it's now offered as-is with limited support, accessed from the View3D sidebar's Create tab.
