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BLBlender

Grab And Place

by rfarencibia·Workflow

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

Why we like it

A focused, single-purpose placement tool for Blender 3.6 through 5.0, released under the GPL license. It handles mesh objects only and a demo video is available on the developer's page.

What is Grab And Place?

Grab And Place is a Blender addon for repositioning mesh objects directly in the 3D View. You click to select a mesh object, drag it interactively, and release to drop it onto another surface. Placement uses an auto-offset calculated from the object's lowest vertex.

The tool is available two ways: as a Workspace Tool in the 3D View Toolbar (T key), and under the N-Panel's Grab and Place tab. You can start it by clicking "Activate Grab & Place Tool" in the N-Panel or through its left-click drag shortcut. Pressing ESC cancels or exits the tool, and it auto-resets to the Select tool after use.

A Placement Offset setting in the N-Panel adds extra height on top of the auto-placement, and the panel shows both the calculated auto-offset and total offset when an object is selected. Snapping is temporarily enabled during placement to keep objects on faces. The tool works only with mesh objects and won't run multiple placements at once. It supports Blender 3.6 through 5.0 and is distributed under the GPL license.

Who is Grab And Place best for?

Grab And Place is best for blender users placing mesh objects onto surfaces with an automatic height offset.

How much does Grab And Place cost?

Grab And Place is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Click to select a mesh object, drag it interactively in the 3D View, then release to drop it onto another surface
  • Auto-offset calculated from the object's lowest vertex, plus an adjustable Placement Offset for extra height
  • Available as a Workspace Tool in the Toolbar (T key) and via the N-Panel's Grab and Place tab
  • N-Panel displays the calculated auto-offset and total offset when an object is selected
  • Snapping temporarily enabled during placement to keep objects on faces
  • Auto-resets to the Select tool after use, with ESC to cancel or exit

Tags

#object placement#mesh objects#drag and drop#workflow#blender addon#snapping#3d view

Frequently asked questions

Does Grab And Place support Blender 3.6 through 5.0?

Grab And Place lists compatibility with Blender versions 3.6 through 5.0. If you run a release in that range, the tool should be available once installed. It appears in the 3D View as a Workspace Tool in the Toolbar (T key) and under the N-Panel's Grab and Place tab. For versions outside that range or the latest details, check the developer's page before installing, since support can change with new Blender releases.

Can Grab And Place move non-mesh objects like curves or empties?

Grab And Place works only with mesh objects, so curves, empties, lights, and other non-mesh types are not handled by the tool. Its auto-offset relies on the object's lowest vertex to calculate placement, which is specific to mesh geometry. If the tool doesn't start, confirm a mesh object is selected first. The tool also won't allow multiple placements at once, so finish or cancel one placement before starting another.

How do I activate Grab And Place in Blender?

Grab And Place can be activated from the N-Panel by clicking "Activate Grab & Place Tool", or through its left-click drag shortcut. Once active, click an object, drag it interactively in the 3D View, and release to place it onto another surface with the calculated offset. Press ESC at any point to cancel or exit. After use, the tool auto-resets back to the Select tool, and snapping is temporarily enabled during placement to keep objects landing on faces.

How does the placement offset work in Grab And Place?

Grab And Place calculates an auto-offset based on the selected object's lowest vertex when dropping it onto a surface. You can add extra height using the Placement Offset setting in the N-Panel. When an object is selected, the panel shows both the calculated auto-offset and the total offset, so you can see the values being applied. This offset determines how the object sits relative to the surface it's placed on.

Is Grab And Place free to download?

Grab And Place is listed as free here in our catalog and is distributed under the GPL license. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current pricing and any usage conditions, check the developer's page before downloading. The listing also notes a demo video is available if you'd like to see more about the tool ahead of installing it.

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