by Witting Graphics·Modeling
Images © Witting Graphics. Used for product review; image policy.
Panel Stitcher earns its place for combining automatic edge filtering with hands-on edge marking, plus a project option and PBR baking for game assets. The v3.0 update brings Blender 5.0 Extension support and a refined algorithm for high curvature.
Panel Stitcher is a procedural mesh-generating add-on built for hard surface modelling in Blender. It generates patterns of rivets, bolts, screws, or stitching, useful on metal panels, wood, and plated vehicles like planes and cars, as well as seams on clothing. You can build the element meshes yourself or draw from a kitbash pack, so the range of possible variations is wide.
Placement options can be mixed, including insetting edges and randomness, for a unique look. To control the pattern, Panel Stitcher can filter out edges using one of its automatic limit modes, or you can mark edges by hand in edit mode for full artistic control. A project option transfers a pattern onto a different object during generation, which suits high-resolution meshes such as sculpts. Included stitch templates add clothing seams in one button press.
The result can be baked into PBR maps for efficient game assets, with a documentation tutorial. Preset objects cover two rivets, two screws, and three stitch types, and objects can be picked randomly from a collection. The v3.0 release adds Blender 5.0 Extension support, an updated algorithm for high curvature, automatic beveling to round off sharp corners, and a new Corners-only mode.
Panel Stitcher is best for hard surface artists adding rivets, bolts, screws, or stitching to panels, wood, vehicles, and clothing in Blender.
Panel Stitcher is completely free to download and use.
Panel Stitcher supports Blender 5.0 through the Extension system, added in the v3.0 release. That same update introduced an updated algorithm for high curvature, automatic beveling to round off sharp corners, a new Corners-only mode, and added performance settings, alongside general stability improvements and various bug fixes. The add-on is listed as a Blender Extension and installs as an add-on under the GPL license, so it works with that Blender version.
Panel Stitcher includes a project option that transfers a pattern onto a different object during generation. For a high-resolution mesh such as a sculpt, you can use the geometry of a separate object as the pattern template, and the add-on projects it across automatically. Since the v2.0 release the algorithm supports high-resolution meshes with smooth curves in addition to large panels, and the v3.0 algorithm update further improves handling of high curvature on these meshes.
Panel Stitcher can bake its generated result into PBR maps for an efficient output, which suits game assets where performance matters without compromising on quality. The baked maps are supported by any rendering engine or game engine. A tutorial covering the baking process is included in the documentation, giving you the steps for turning generated stitching or rivet details into usable texture maps.
Panel Stitcher is listed as free here, and it is distributed under the GPL license. For current licensing terms, seat options, and any commercial-use details, check the developer's page on Superhive. Support is also available there through the Ask a Question feature for personal help, and the listing notes the developer is a Blender Development Fund contributor. Refer to that page for the most up-to-date terms before you rely on it in a project.
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