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Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh

by Bric Bric·Modeling

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh earns its place in the superhive library for turning PNG cutouts directly into Blender meshes, with contour, holes and height controls in one panel. Worth noting: the current version is reported incompatible with the Blender 4.0 update but remains functional on Blender 3.6, and it depends on part of the Blender API, so check the developer's page for the latest compatibility status.

What is Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh is a Blender add-on from Bric Bric that generates meshes from image cutouts, currently working only with PNG format images. From the Cutout to mesh panel, you point it at a directory of cutouts and press Create, and it processes the PNG files into meshes. The developer notes this can streamline post-production work by removing the need to manually adjust placement, scaling, lighting, and shadowing of cutouts in external software.

The panel exposes several options. A Vertical toggle generates meshes upright, and a Mesh Height setting produces meshes at a chosen height. The Holes toggle creates meshes with holes, or, when off, builds the silhouette and manages holes through the material alpha. Fast and Detailed algorithms interpret the cutout contours, with Detailed resolving cases where edges shrink from the original contour. A Face Towards panel rotates selected objects toward a target object in the XY plane, with a Tilt option.

The current version is reported incompatible with the Blender 4.0 update but remains functional on Blender 3.6, and the developer is working on it. Pinguin does not include cutout samples; free sources such as MrCutout or Skalgubbar are suggested. A demo video is available.

Who is Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh best for?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh is best for building meshes from PNG image cutouts inside Blender to streamline post-production work.

How much does Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh cost?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Converts PNG cutouts from a chosen directory into meshes; only PNG files are processed
  • Vertical toggle to generate meshes in an upright position
  • Holes toggle to build meshes with holes, or create the silhouette and manage holes through the material alpha
  • Mesh Height setting to generate meshes at a chosen height
  • Fast and Detailed contour algorithms, with Detailed resolving edges that shrink from the original contour
  • Face Towards panel to rotate selected objects toward a target object in the XY plane, plus a Tilt option
  • Documentation included

Tags

#png-to-mesh#image cutouts#mesh creation#Blender add-on#silhouette tracer#import image#ArchViz

Frequently asked questions

Does Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh work with Blender 4.0?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh is reported to be incompatible with the Blender 4.0 update in its current version, though it remains functional on Blender 3.6. The developer states they are actively working to resolve the compatibility issue with the latest update. The add-on also depends on part of the Blender API, which means future Blender updates could possibly break it, and the developer commits to addressing any such breakage as soon as possible. Check the developer's page for the current compatibility status before relying on it in your Blender version.

How do I install Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh in Blender?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh installs through Blender's preferences. Open Edit in the top bar, choose Preferences, then select the Add-Ons tab. Click Install at the top right and navigate to the stored .zip file for the add-on, then confirm. When you toggle the checkbox to enable it, activation may take a couple of minutes, because the add-on checks whether certain Python modules are up to date and installs them if they are not. After activation, a new panel called Pinguin appears in the 3D Viewport.

What image formats does Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh support?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh currently works only with PNG format images. In the Cutout to mesh panel you pick a Directory where your cutouts are stored, and the add-on processes only the files that are in PNG format when you press Create. You can toggle Holes to generate meshes with holes, or leave it off so the silhouette is created and the holes are managed through the material alpha instead. A Mesh Height setting lets the generated meshes match a height you choose.

What is the difference between Fast and Detailed mode in Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh offers Fast and Detailed algorithms that interpret the contours of a cutout. The developer notes the Fast algorithm performs as well as the Detailed one about 95% of the time, producing a mesh with just the right amount of vertices to capture the silhouette in less time. In some specific cases, edges may shrink noticeably from the original contour, and switching to Detailed mode resolves that inconsistency. You can also toggle Vertical for upright meshes and set a Mesh Height for the result.

Is Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh free, and does it include cutout samples?

Pinguin - Cutout To Mesh is listed as free in this catalog; for current licensing terms, check the developer's page. Note that it does not include cutout samples of its own. The developer encourages downloading them from platforms such as MrCutout or Skalgubbar, which are free, so you will need to supply your own PNG cutouts to convert. Keep in mind the add-on depends on part of the Blender API, so watch the developer's page for compatibility updates as Blender evolves.

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