by Mark Kingsnorth·Modeling
Images © Mark Kingsnorth. Used for product review; image policy.
Configurable Dynamic Jet earns its place in the Superhive library for turning the repetitive job of modelling, mirroring and subdividing a jet's starting shape into a configurable mesh you can drop in and refine.
Configurable Dynamic Jet is a Blender add-on from Mark Kingsnorth that builds a configurable mesh shaped as a fighter jet or starfighter. You add the mesh from the standard Add menu, then work through a range of configuration options to shape the overall design. Adjustable settings include optional engines and tail wings, wing span and angle, and cockpit size.
Once the shape is set, the Mirror and Subdivision Surface modifiers are left intact, so you can move on to editing the underlying base mesh. That base mesh is built on quads, which helps it extend quickly and work with other operators and add-ons.
Version 1.1.0 added a presets system, letting you create and save your own configurations or install ones the developer has prepared. The add-on lists compatibility across Blender 2.79 through 5.2 and is distributed under the GPL license. A demo video is available.
Configurable Dynamic Jet is best for modellers who want to generate different fighter jet or starfighter shapes, rapidly prototype plane concepts, or start from a base mesh they can develop into something more detailed.
Configurable Dynamic Jet is completely free to download and use.
Configurable Dynamic Jet lists compatibility with Blender versions 2.79 through 5.2, and it's marked as Blender Extension compatible. Version 1.1.0 upgraded the add-on for the Blender 2.8 beta and was made available alongside the 2.7 version. If you're working in a beta release, the developer notes that any problems can be reported directly. For the clearest picture of how it behaves on your specific Blender build, check the developer's page and documentation before installing.
Configurable Dynamic Jet places its mesh in Blender's standard Add menu, so you insert a jet the same way you would any built-in primitive. From there, a range of configuration options let you shape the overall design, including optional engines and tail wings, wing span and angle, and cockpit size. This lets you concentrate on the general form first, then move on to editing the base mesh directly once the shape suits you.
Configurable Dynamic Jet leaves the Mirror and Subdivision Surface modifiers intact once you've configured the shape, so you can move on to editing the underlying base mesh without losing them. That base mesh is built on quads, which helps it extend quickly and work alongside other operators and add-ons. This suits modellers who want a starting point they can develop into a more detailed mesh rather than a fixed, finished model.
Configurable Dynamic Jet is listed as free here in the catalog and is distributed under the GPL license. Licensing and availability can change over time, so it's worth checking the developer's page for the current terms before you download. The add-on has been published for several years and carries ratings on its source listing, which you can review there as well when deciding whether it fits your workflow.
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