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Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient

by Kihoon·Workflow

Images © Kihoon. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Earns its place in the superhive library by pairing a complementary weight modifier with an intuitive gradient tool, both focused on editing weights at bone joints.

What is Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient is a Blender add-on from developer Kihoon that combines two weight-editing tools. Complementary Weight targets the joint areas where two bones connect. Adjusting weights at a joint usually means switching between two bones to fine-tune them, and those values often share a complementary relationship. By creating a complementary weight modifier, editing the weights of bone A simultaneously adjusts the weights of bone B, keeping the two at WB = 1 - WA.

Advanced Gradient is a gradient tool for adjusting weight values, letting you intuitively control the shape, offset, and intensity of the gradient. An edge loop mode was added in a later update. The developer recommends changing Blender's weight brush settings so you can adjust joint weights as if sculpting, and Blender 3.6 users can find brush setup similar to 4.1 in the documentation tab.

Distributed under the GPL license, the add-on installs from disk through Blender's Get Extensions panel. The latest version also lets you rename its sidebar tabs from the Add-ons tab in Preferences.

Who is Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient best for?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient is best for blender artists fine-tuning weight values at the joints where two bones connect.

How much does Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient cost?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Complementary Weight modifier that links two connected bones, so editing bone A's weights adjusts bone B's at the same time (WB = 1 - WA)
  • Advanced Gradient tool for intuitively controlling the shape, offset, and intensity of weight gradients
  • Edge loop mode for Advanced Gradient
  • Renamable sidebar tabs, set from the Add-ons tab in Preferences
  • Documentation with recommended weight brush settings for adjusting joint weights as if sculpting
  • Installs from disk via Edit > Preferences > Get Extensions

Tags

#weight painting#rigging#bones#gradient#skinning#Blender add-on#weight tools

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient support?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient lists compatibility with Blender 3.6 through 4.5. The changelog notes support for Blender 3.6, 4.2, and 4.3, and states that it does not support Blender 4.0 or 4.1. If you're on Blender 3.6, the documentation tab includes weight brush setup instructions similar to 4.1, so it's worth reviewing that guide before you start adjusting weights at joints with the add-on.

How do I install Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient installs through Blender's extensions system. Open Edit, then Preferences, go to Get Extensions, and choose Install from Disk to add the downloaded file. Once enabled, you can also rename its sidebar tabs from the Add-ons tab in Preferences, a setting added in the latest version. The documentation tab covers the weight brush settings the developer recommends for adjusting joint weights as if sculpting.

How does Complementary Weight adjust two bones at once?

Complementary Weight works by creating a complementary weight modifier for two connected bones. When you modify the weights of bone A, the weights of bone B adjust at the same time, and the two values keep the relationship WB = 1 - WA. This targets the joint areas where two bones meet, where fine-tuning normally means switching back and forth between both bones. The developer recommends adjusting Blender's weight brush settings to work as if sculpting.

Is Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient free?

Complementary Weight / Advanced Gradient is listed as free in this catalog. It's distributed under the GPL license, and the developer Kihoon also participates in Blender's Development Fund. The tool is provided as a Blender extension and installed from disk. For the most current licensing terms and any purchase details, check the developer's page directly, since those terms can change over time.

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