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Easy Scatter

by KiyohitoMaeda·Workflow

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

Why we like it

Easy Scatter stands out in the superhive library for keeping object scattering inside the N-panel sidebar, pairing a one-click mode with a paint-along-path mode and requiring no Geometry Nodes setup.

What is Easy Scatter?

Easy Scatter provides two ways to place objects in a Blender scene, both controlled from the N-panel sidebar. With Scatter Objects, you position the 3D cursor, set your parameters, and click to generate hundreds of copies within a defined spread area; changing the seed produces a different layout in one click. Stroke Scatter lets you drag the mouse across the viewport to paint objects along a path in real time, releasing to finish or pressing Esc to cancel and remove everything.

You can designate any mesh as a target surface, and both modes place copies on it using raycasting. Enabling Align to Normal tilts each object to match the slope. Randomization controls cover X/Y spread with independent axis ranges, per-axis rotation, uniform scale, height offset when Surface Snap is off, overlap avoidance, and a lockable random seed. Selecting two or more objects lets each copy draw randomly from that pool.

A Use Instances toggle switches between lightweight collection instances and individual object copies, and both work with every feature. Easy Scatter is pure Python with no external libraries, pip installs, or Geometry Nodes, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Who is Easy Scatter best for?

Easy Scatter is best for ground cover such as rocks, pebbles, leaves and grass tufts; forest and nature scenes; placement along roads and paths with Stroke Scatter; architectural visualization props; and game asset placement or level design blockouts.

How much does Easy Scatter cost?

Easy Scatter is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Two scatter modes: click-based Scatter Objects around the 3D cursor and Stroke Scatter that paints objects along a viewport path in real time
  • Surface Snap places copies on any target mesh using raycasting, with Align to Normal tilting each object to match the slope
  • Randomization for X/Y spread with independent axis ranges, per-axis rotation, uniform scale, height offset, overlap avoidance, and a lockable seed
  • Multi-source random selection draws each copy from a pool of two or more selected objects
  • Use Instances toggle between lightweight collection instances and individual object copies, both working with all features
  • Pure Python with no external libraries, pip installs, or Geometry Nodes; runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Tags

#scatter#object placement#surface snap#stroke scatter#instancing#environment#n-panel#level design

Frequently asked questions

Does Easy Scatter work with Blender 4.1 and earlier?

Easy Scatter supports both current and older Blender releases through two install formats. On Blender 4.2 and later it ships in the Extension format, so you download the .zip, open Edit > Preferences > Get Extensions, use the dropdown to Install from Disk, and select the file. On Blender 4.1 and earlier it uses the Legacy format: extract easy_scatter.py from the .zip, then install and enable it under Edit > Preferences > Add-ons. Either path gets the add-on running.

Does Easy Scatter require Geometry Nodes or extra dependencies?

Easy Scatter is written in pure Python and needs no external libraries, no pip installs, and no Geometry Nodes setup. That keeps installation self-contained, and the developer notes it installs in under a minute. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and every feature, including Surface Snap and Stroke Scatter, works within the standard add-on without pulling in additional dependencies or requiring you to build node graphs by hand.

How does Stroke Scatter place objects in Easy Scatter?

Easy Scatter's Stroke Scatter mode works by dragging the mouse across the viewport, and objects appear along your path in real time as you paint. Releasing the mouse finishes the stroke, while pressing Esc cancels and removes everything you placed. It suits placement along roads, rivers, cliff edges, or any custom path. When a target surface is designated, the same raycasting and optional Align to Normal behaviour apply to the painted copies as well.

Is Easy Scatter free to download?

Easy Scatter is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current details before you rely on it for a project. The add-on comes as a downloadable .zip that installs through Blender's preferences, using either the Extension or Legacy method depending on your version. A demo video is also available if you want to look at the feature set before installing.

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