by Mark Kingsnorth·Modeling
Images © Mark Kingsnorth. Used for product review; image policy.
Stands out in the Superhive library for combining panel-line generation and greeble scattering in one add-on, with version 2.1 moving to Geometry Nodes-based modifiers for greater performance.
Plating Generator And Greebles is a Blender add-on for 3D modelers and concept artists that adds paneling patterns to an object's faces and can scatter multiple objects across flat or curved mesh surfaces. It uses specially designed algorithms to generate different patterns from selected faces, working from a whole quad-based mesh or a sub selection of quad faces.
You can generate panel lines or scatter smaller objects using a random seed, and choose from customizable plating patterns. Presets can be saved, reused and shared, or picked from pre-bundled configurations. Greebles come from your own libraries or the standard default library, and can overlap or stay non-overlapping, conform to the face shape or keep their proportions. Groove depth, panel height, groove thickness, rounded corners and bevel effects are all adjustable.
Objects can be created and edited separately or integrated into the base object, with a fixed control panel for changing patterns and greebles later. Version 2.1 introduces reusable modifiers built on Geometry Nodes that fit into Blender's modifier stack. Performance with the python core add-on decreases at higher face counts, while the newer modifiers can operate at higher counts depending on your machine.
Plating Generator And Greebles is best for 3D modelers and concept artists adding paneling and greeble detail to sci-fi ships, stations and hard-surface models.
Plating Generator And Greebles is completely free to download and use.
Plating Generator And Greebles, from version 2.1, adds reusable modifiers that fit into the rest of Blender's modifier stack, so you can go back and change parameters after applying them. These modifiers use Geometry Nodes behind the scenes, which the developer notes makes them fast. This follows the Blender 4.0 modifiers and tools introduced in an earlier update. For the exact behaviour and setup, the developer's page includes a video about the feature and documentation.
Plating Generator And Greebles can slow down when using the python core add-on at higher face counts, for example on a 64x128 sphere, according to the developer's own warning. The newer modifiers introduced in the latest update can operate at higher face counts depending on your machine. If you plan to work on dense meshes, the modifier-based workflow is the one built for greater performance. Check the developer's page for the update videos covering these tools.
Plating Generator And Greebles lets you create your own greeble object libraries or use the standard default library that ships with the add-on. Greebles can be set to overlap or stay non-overlapping, and can either conform to the shape of a face or maintain their proportions. A separately sold greeble pack by SolCommand, containing 271 3D meshes, is also mentioned by the developer. See the developer's page for details on managing and loading libraries.
Plating Generator And Greebles works from a whole quad-based mesh or on a sub selection of quad faces, and can be applied to flat or curved surfaces. It generates panel lines or scatters smaller objects using a random seed, with control over groove depth, panel height, groove thickness, rounded corners and bevel effects. There is also an option to remove the grooves entirely and leave the plates intact. For the full modeling workflow, the developer's page provides documentation.
Plating Generator And Greebles is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing and any purchase terms can change, so check the developer's page for the current details before downloading. Note that the greeble pack by SolCommand is sold separately from the add-on itself, so it is a distinct purchase rather than part of the base tool. The developer also offers related add-ons such as the Starship Generator and Shape Generator on their storefront.
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