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Keychain Builder

by Sergey-Kabanov·Modeling

Images © Sergey-Kabanov. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Keychain Builder earns its place in the Blender extensions library for turning typed text into a ready-to-print keychain in a single step, with a metaball base that follows the letter outlines rather than a plain rectangle.

What is Keychain Builder?

Keychain Builder generates 3D-printable personalised keychains directly inside Blender. You type your text, select a TTF or OTF font, and press Create Keychain to get a ready-to-print model. The base shape is built automatically with a metaball method that follows the letter outlines, producing a smooth organic shape instead of a plain rectangle.

Text works with any TTF or OTF font, covering Cyrillic, Latin, numbers and any language. A side ear with a round or oval hole for the key ring can sit on the left or right, with adjustable ear size, Y-offset, chamfer and chamfer segments. Base offset, base height, letter height and character spacing are all configurable, and Shade Auto Smooth is applied automatically. Smart Rebuild updates the existing keychain when you change parameters and press Create, while a text or font change creates a new one.

The add-on works from the Keychain tab in the 3D Viewport N-panel, and finished models export through File → Export → STL. The interface is bilingual in English and Russian, with a reset to defaults button. It's released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later and listed here as free.

Who is Keychain Builder best for?

Keychain Builder is best for making 3D-printable personalised name keychains from text inside Blender.

How much does Keychain Builder cost?

Keychain Builder is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Base shape built automatically with a metaball method that follows the letter outlines, giving a smooth organic form instead of a plain rectangle
  • Works with any TTF or OTF font, covering Cyrillic, Latin, numbers and any language
  • Side ear with a round or oval hole for the key ring, placeable left or right, with adjustable ear size, Y-offset, chamfer and chamfer segments
  • Configurable base offset, base height, letter height and character spacing
  • Smart Rebuild updates the existing keychain when parameters change; a text or font change creates a new one
  • Bilingual English and Russian interface with a reset to defaults button
  • Shade Auto Smooth applied automatically, with STL export via File → Export

Tags

#keychain#3D printing#text to mesh#STL export#Blender add-on#mesh generator#metaball

Frequently asked questions

Does Keychain Builder work with Blender 4.2?

Keychain Builder is compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer, so any current LTS or later release should run it. The add-on is version 1.1.3, last updated in April 2026, and it doesn't require any special permissions. Installation follows Blender's standard extension flow, so you can drag the downloaded zip into Blender or install it from disk. Once enabled, it appears as a Keychain tab in the 3D Viewport N-panel. If you're on an older Blender build, upgrade to 4.2 LTS or above before installing.

How do I create a keychain with Keychain Builder?

Keychain Builder works from the N-panel in the 3D Viewport, under the Keychain tab. Type your text, select a TTF or OTF font file, and adjust the base and ear parameters if you want, then press Create Keychain to generate the model. The base shape is built automatically with a metaball method that follows the letter outlines. Smart Rebuild means changing parameters and pressing Create again updates the existing keychain, while a text or font change creates a new one. A reset to defaults button is also available.

How do I export a Keychain Builder model for 3D printing?

Keychain Builder produces a ready-to-print model that you export through File → Export → STL. Shade Auto Smooth is applied automatically to the generated geometry. You can place the side ear with its round or oval hole on the left or right for the key ring, and fine-tune ear size, Y-offset, chamfer and chamfer segments before exporting. Base offset, base height, letter height and character spacing are all configurable, so you can adjust the model to your liking before the STL export.

Is Keychain Builder free, and what license does it use?

Keychain Builder is listed here as free, and it's released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. The source code is published on the developer's GitHub page, where you can also report issues. For the current licensing terms and any download options, check the developer's page directly. The extension does not require special permissions, and at the listed size it's a lightweight add-on to add to a Blender setup.

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