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Modtools

by Quentin Steinke·Workflow

Images © Quentin Steinke. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

ModTools earns its place for tackling a specific Unreal Engine import problem: static meshes losing their pivot points. It handles object grouping, transform zeroing, and combining on export across both Blender and Maya.

What is Modtools?

ModTools is a Blender and Maya addon from Quentin Steinke that addresses a specific Unreal Engine behaviour: static meshes lose their pivot points on import. By transferring position and rotation data into Unreal Engine, ModTools keeps those pivots intact.

The workflow centres on groups. You work with groups to maintain a high level of editability and let ModTools combine objects when exporting. Transforms can be zeroed out on export, after which objects can be repositioned inside Blender, Maya, or Unreal Engine. Additional tools cover automatic material assignment based on names inside Unreal Engine and batch setting of Lightmap resolutions inside Unreal Engine.

Version 1.1 refined material instance creation so it matches the suffix of selected textures with the matching texture parameters, fixed an Add to Group offset issue, preserved the parenting hierarchy when creating new groups, and resolved combine errors tied to certain parent relationships. The addon is released under the GPL license and runs on Blender 3.3 through 3.6. A video covering the addon is available.

Who is Modtools best for?

Modtools is best for blender and Maya artists preparing game-ready static meshes for Unreal Engine who need pivot points preserved on import.

How much does Modtools cost?

Modtools is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Transfers position and rotation data from Blender and Maya to Unreal Engine to keep pivot points intact
  • Work with groups while maintaining editability, and let ModTools combine objects when exporting
  • Zero out transforms on export, then reposition objects inside Blender, Maya, or Unreal Engine
  • Automatic material assignment based on names inside Unreal Engine
  • Batch setting of Lightmap resolutions inside Unreal Engine
  • Detects whether a group or individual objects are selected

Tags

#blender#maya#unreal engine#game assets#batch export#pivot points#workflow

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does ModTools support?

ModTools supports Blender 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6. It works as a Blender and Maya addon that transfers position and rotation data to Unreal Engine, and on the Unreal side it targets Unreal Engine 4.27. If you run a Blender release outside this range, check the developer's page for the latest compatibility details before installing, since supported versions can change with newer updates to the addon.

Does ModTools work with Unreal Engine 4.27?

ModTools is built to work with Unreal Engine 4.27. Its core purpose is keeping pivot points intact when Unreal Engine imports static meshes, which it handles by transferring position and rotation data from Blender and Maya. The bonus tools, including automatic material assignment based on names and batch setting of Lightmap resolutions, also run inside Unreal Engine. For behaviour on other Unreal Engine versions, refer to the developer's page.

What license is ModTools released under?

ModTools is released under the GPL license. That covers the Blender and Maya addon used to combine objects on export, zero out transforms, and transfer pivot data into Unreal Engine. Licensing terms can carry conditions on redistribution and modification, so review the GPL specifics and check the developer's page before relying on them for a commercial pipeline. This catalog lists ModTools as free.

How do I install ModTools?

ModTools has a video available covering installation. Once it is set up in Blender or Maya, you work with groups, let ModTools combine objects when exporting, and zero out transforms before repositioning objects inside Blender, Maya, or Unreal Engine. For the exact steps and any requirements, follow the developer's page and the video rather than guessing at the setup. The addon runs on Blender 3.3 through 3.6.

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