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Magic Trails

by Kolupsy·VFX

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Magic Trails stands out in the superhive library because it computes trails in real time in the viewport instead of relying on cloth simulation or animation baking, and the 2.3.0 release reworks the simulation setup with a new UI and a Follower component.

What is Magic Trails?

Magic Trails is a Blender addon for trails that are rendered and computed in real time inside the viewport. You add and manage trails from a custom panel, then either create motion for the trail controller or parent it to an already animated prop. The simulation is fast, and once you are satisfied with the result it can be baked in an instant. Kolupsy describes it as suited to weapons, characters, props and environments.

The addon supports any type of material and shader and includes animated trail materials built for both Eevee and Cycles. Presets cover scenarios such as simple gradients, smears, fire and lightning, and you can use them directly, modify them, or build new trail materials using the presets as templates.

Pro features include Trail Followers for secondary motion and realtime velocity capture for advanced animation and rigging, plus support for mesh modifiers on the trail mesh to create unique shapes and variations. Version 2.3.0 reworks the simulation setup and calculation, adds customizable trail length, introduces a new UI, and improves baking for rendering and export.

Who is Magic Trails best for?

Magic Trails is best for creating realtime trail effects for weapons, characters, props and environments in Blender.

How much does Magic Trails cost?

Magic Trails is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Realtime trail calculation inside the Blender viewport, with one-step baking once you are satisfied
  • Custom panel to add, manage and delete trail components
  • Works with any material and shader, plus animated preset materials for Eevee and Cycles covering gradients, smears, fire and lightning
  • Trail Followers with various motion models for secondary motion and realtime velocity capture in animation and rigging
  • Mesh modifier support on the trail mesh for unique shapes and variations
  • Customizable trail length introduced in version 2.3.0

Tags

#trails#realtime#vfx#simulation#stylized#animated#addon

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Magic Trails support?

Magic Trails lists support for Blender 2.93, 3.0 and 3.1. If you run a newer Blender release, check the developer's page for current compatibility before installing, since versions outside that list are not confirmed here. The addon works inside the Blender viewport and integrates through a custom panel for managing trail components, so a supported Blender build is the main requirement to get started with the tool.

Does Magic Trails work with both Eevee and Cycles?

Magic Trails supports any type of material and shader, and it ships with animated trail materials built for both Eevee and Cycles. The preset materials cover scenarios like simple gradients, smears, fire and lightning. You can use these presets as they are, modify them to fit your context, or build entirely new trail materials using the presets as a starting template for your own designs.

What's new in Magic Trails 2.3.0?

Magic Trails version 2.3.0 brings a complete overhaul of the simulation setup and calculation, along with customizable trail length. It adds a brand-new UI with quick access to the most important features and options, plus faster and more robust baking for rendering and export. The release also introduces a new trail component called Follower, which offers various motion models for advanced animation and secondary motion.

Do trails in Magic Trails need to be baked?

Magic Trails calculates trails in real time, so you create the motion for the trail controller or parent it to an already animated prop and the trail follows along. Once you are satisfied with the result, the simulation can be baked in an instant, and version 2.3.0 makes that baking faster and more robust for rendering and export. This lets you keep adjusting in the viewport before committing the result.

Is Magic Trails free and how is it licensed?

Magic Trails is listed as free in this catalog and is released under the GPL license. Pricing and licensing can change over time, so for current terms and any offers, check the developer's page on superhive. The addon is credited as a Dev Fund contributor and is published by Kolupsy, with documentation provided for setup and usage. Downloading from the official source keeps you on the latest supported build.

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