by Thinkbox Production·Modeling
Images © Thinkbox Production. Used for product review; image policy.
Stands out in the superhive library because it recreates the smoothing group workflow from other 3D packages inside Blender.
Max Smoothing Groups is a Blender add-on that brings traditional smoothing group workflows into the software. Instead of manually selecting and marking individual edges as sharp, you assign faces to numbered groups, and Blender automatically handles the edge sharpness and vertex normals between differing groups to keep shading clean.
The panel mimics the classic smoothing group systems found in other industry-standard 3D packages. It supports rapid hard-surface shading of mechanical parts, weapons, and architectural models without destructive topology changes. Quick Select and Clear controls let you select all faces sharing the same smoothing group or clear assignments as the mesh evolves.
It targets game art pipelines where precise control over vertex normals is critical for high-to-low poly baking in Marmoset Toolbag and texturing in Substance Painter. Max Smoothing Groups works with Blender 4.2 through 5.1, supports the Cycles and Eevee render engines, and is distributed under the GPL license. A demo video is available.
Max Smoothing Groups is best for blender artists doing hard-surface and game-art work who want smoothing group control over vertex normals for baking and texturing.
Max Smoothing Groups is completely free to download and use.
Max Smoothing Groups supports Blender versions 4.2 through 5.1 and is listed as Blender Extension compatible, installed as an add-on. It works with both the Cycles and Eevee render engines. Because it operates through smoothing group assignments rather than reworking geometry, it fits into standard Blender projects without destructive topology changes. Check the developer's page to confirm current version details before installing into a specific Blender build.
Max Smoothing Groups is aimed at game art pipelines where precise control over vertex normals matters. That control feeds high-to-low poly baking in Marmoset Toolbag and texturing in Substance Painter, since vertex normals affect how those tools interpret a mesh. Inside Blender you assign faces to numbered groups, and the add-on lets Blender manage edge sharpness and vertex normals between differing groups. If your work moves models from Blender into baking and texturing software, this add-on covers the smoothing group step beforehand.
Max Smoothing Groups handles edge sharpness by letting you assign faces to numbered smoothing groups instead of manually selecting and marking individual edges as sharp. Once faces are grouped, Blender automatically sets edge sharpness and vertex normals between differing groups, which keeps shading clean as the mesh changes. The Quick Select and Clear controls let you select every face sharing the same smoothing group or clear assignments on the fly. This makes rapid hard-surface shading of mechanical parts, weapons, and architectural models possible without destructive topology changes.
Max Smoothing Groups is listed as free in this catalog and is distributed under the GPL license. Licensing and pricing can change, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you rely on it in production. The add-on is also noted as a Dev Fund contributor. On the developer's page you can confirm how the extension is delivered and any conditions attached to its use. A demo video is available as well.
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