by JobWeek·Modeling
Images © JobWeek. Used for product review; image policy.
Curve Array stands out in the superhive library for keeping each arrayed object separate and undistorted, since it works outside Blender's modifier system. The 4.0 release rebuilt it from scratch with its own curve core, support for multi-spline curves, and a hundredfold speed gain on heavy meshes.
Curve Array creates arrays along a curve, and because it is not a modifier, it does not merge the array objects or distort the object mesh. It handles curves containing more than one spline and lets you control smoothness of normals and cyclicity. The Magic Curve module adds two methods for creating curves plus methods for changing them, including a curve built with correct tilt to surface. Used together, the two tools space objects along the surface of other objects while maintaining correct normals.
An Object Editor supports random groups, a ghost collection, a customisable sequence, and a Len parameter for the number of unique repetitions in the queue. A Transform Editor applies rotation, scale, and movement to each object in the array, with progressive and random values. Spacing algorithms include Fill by Pivot and Fill by offset, and you can edit the last array you created.
Magic Curve can produce two different curves from a mesh, Split Curve and Smooth Curve, and offers a choice of how to clone an object, including compatibility with Decal Machine. After the 4.0 rework, Curve Array works a hundred times faster with objects that have a heavy mesh.
Curvearray + Magiccurve is best for blender artists spacing objects along curves or across the surface of other objects while keeping normals correct.
Curvearray + Magiccurve is completely free to download and use.
Curvearray + Magiccurve leaves the object mesh intact. Curve Array is not a modifier, so it does not merge the array objects and it does not distort the object mesh. Each object stays separate along the curve. It can also handle curves containing more than one spline and lets you control the smoothness of normals and cyclicity. When paired with Magic Curve, the two tools space objects along the surface of other objects while maintaining correct normals.
Curvearray + Magiccurve gives you a choice of how to clone an object when building an array, and Curve Array Pro works with Decal Machine. This option arrived in the 3.0 release, alongside support for arrays of multiple objects and a Transform Editor for per-object rotation, scale, and movement. For setup specifics and current details on Decal Machine support, check the developer's documentation on GitHub.
Curvearray + Magiccurve was completely reworked in Patch 4.0. Curve Array gained its own core of curve representation, letting you create arrays of curves with more than one spline and control smoothness of normals and cyclicity. The Object Editor added an unlimited number of random groups and a Len parameter, a new Fill by Pivot algorithm was introduced, and it now runs a hundred times faster with heavy meshes. Magic Curve added Split Curve and Smooth Curve, and the UI was optimised.
Curvearray + Magiccurve is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change, so check the developer's page for the current options before you download. Documentation for both Curve Array and Magic Curve is available on the developer's GitHub, which covers how to create arrays along a curve and how Magic Curve builds curves from selected edges with correct tilt to surface. A demo video is also available for the plugin.
Curvearray + Magiccurve is documented on the developer's GitHub page, which serves as the full documentation reference for Curve Array and the Magic Curve module. Magic Curve's workflow starts by selecting edges and making active the vertex from which the curve starts, then generating the curve with correct tilt to surface. A demo video is also available for the plugin.
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