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Quick Shape Keys

by Zemalate·Modeling

Images © Zemalate. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Earns its place in the superhive library for consolidating a broad set of shape key operations — from mirroring and linked splits to transfer and corrective poses — into one panel.

What is Quick Shape Keys?

Quick Shape Keys is a Blender addon from Zemalate for working with shape keys across a single organized panel. It presents shape keys in a collection structure similar to Blender's outliner, with a top panel you can collapse or expand and a modify menu whose operator list you can customize. You can also assign a custom icon or color to each shape key.

The addon covers basic operations including add, subtract, multiply, replace, and invert, along with mirroring or symmetrizing by different methods. It splits shape keys by selected verts, axis, or shape, and its linked split divides one shape key into two that update automatically when you edit the original. You can merge selected shape keys, synchronize the shape key tree between objects, transfer shape keys, work with vertex group manipulations, and create corrective pose shape keys.

On Blender 4.0 and later, it can animate shape keys in pose mode and have an armature follow the active shape key. Quick Shape Keys is compatible with Blender 3.3 through 5.1 and is released under the GPL license. A demo video is available.

Who is Quick Shape Keys best for?

Quick Shape Keys is best for blender users who work heavily with shape keys and want faster ways to mirror, split, transfer, merge, and organize them.

How much does Quick Shape Keys cost?

Quick Shape Keys is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Mirror or symmetrize shape keys by different methods
  • Split shape keys by selected verts, axis, or shape, plus a linked split that divides one shape key into two that update automatically when the original changes
  • Basic operations including add, subtract, multiply, replace, and invert
  • Merge selected shape keys and synchronize the shape key tree between objects
  • Shape key transfer, vertex group manipulations, and corrective pose shape keys
  • Outliner-style collection structure with custom icons or colors, a collapsible top panel, and a customizable modify menu
  • Animate shape keys in pose mode and have an armature follow the active shape key on Blender 4.0 and later

Tags

#shape keys#shape key management#corrective shapes#merge shape keys#morph targets#Blender addon#modeling

Frequently asked questions

Does Quick Shape Keys work with Blender 5.1 and older versions?

Quick Shape Keys lists Blender compatibility from version 3.3 through 5.1, so it covers a wide span from older builds up to recent releases. A few features are noted for Blender 4.0 and later specifically, including animating shape keys in pose mode and having the armature follow the active shape key. If you run a version inside the stated range, the core mirror, split, merge, and transfer tools apply. For the current supported range on your build, check the developer's page before installing.

Is Quick Shape Keys free, and what license does it use?

Quick Shape Keys is listed as free in this catalog, so you can add it without a purchase here. It is released under the GPL license, which is the standard license for Blender addons. Licensing terms and any pricing can change over time, so it's worth confirming the current details on the developer's page before you rely on them. What you download is the Quick Shape Keys addon for Blender.

Can Quick Shape Keys animate shape keys in pose mode?

Quick Shape Keys can animate shape keys in pose mode, a feature available in Blender 4.0 and later. In the same version range, the addon can also make an armature follow the active shape key. These pose-mode capabilities sit alongside its corrective pose shape key tool. If you're on Blender 4.0 or newer, these options are available; on earlier versions within the supported range, the other shape key tools still apply.

How does the linked split feature in Quick Shape Keys work?

Quick Shape Keys includes a linked split function that splits one shape key, A, into two shape keys, B and C, according to your parameters. Once linked, any changes you make to shape key A are automatically applied to B and C. This sits alongside the standard split, which can divide shape keys by selected verts, axis, or shape. Between the two, you can break a single shape key into parts and keep the results updated as you refine the original.

Which render engines does Quick Shape Keys support?

Quick Shape Keys is listed with Cycles and Eevee as the render engines used. As a shape key management addon, its focus is on editing and organizing shape keys — mirroring, splitting, merging, transferring, and running operations like add, subtract, and invert — rather than on rendering itself. If your project uses Cycles or Eevee in a supported Blender version, the toolset applies. For any specifics about your setup, the developer's page is the place to check.

Alternatives to Quick Shape Keys

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