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Rigged Systems Addon

by olanders.se·Workflow

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Rigged Systems Addon stands out in the Superhive library for pairing ready-made mechanical rigs with a practical set of placement functions, some of which work in both object and edit mode.

What is Rigged Systems Addon?

Rigged Systems Addon brings a set of pre-defined rig systems to Blender for animating cylinders, turnbuckles and universal joints. Once installed, you choose which system to add, then use the addon's buttons to place it in position. Rigs for a one wheel axle and tank tracks are included as well.

Alongside the rigs, the addon carries a range of placement helpers. In object mode these include Cursor to object mesh, Empty to object, Selection to selected, Selection to selected with copy rotation, and Add rotating axis across selected directions. Edit mode adds Empty to object, Add rotating axis, Empty to face normal, and Face to X, Y or Z direction. These functions come in useful when placing objects, particularly after importing external 3D models that share the same origins, common with CAD imports.

An October 2020 update lets you choose which type of empty to add and set its size, and moves the prefab file link to the preferences tab. The addon is licensed under GPL and works with Blender versions 2.83 through 4.5. Documentation and a demo video are available.

Who is Rigged Systems Addon best for?

Rigged Systems Addon is best for blender users who want to quickly animate cylinders, turnbuckles and universal joints, and who need placement helpers for positioning objects, especially imported CAD models that share the same origins.

How much does Rigged Systems Addon cost?

Rigged Systems Addon is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Pre-defined rig systems for cylinders, turnbuckles and universal joints
  • Additional rigs for a one wheel axle and tank tracks
  • Object-mode placement helpers: Cursor to object mesh, Empty to object, Selection to selected, and Selection to selected with copy rotation
  • Add rotating axis across selected directions, available in both object and edit mode
  • Edit-mode tools including Empty to object, Empty to face normal, and Face to X, Y or Z direction
  • Options to choose the type of empty and set its size, added in the October 2020 update
  • Compatible with Blender 2.83 through 4.5 under a GPL license

Tags

#rigging#cylinders#turnbuckles#universal joints#placement tools#empties#Blender addon#CAD imports

Frequently asked questions

What Blender versions does Rigged Systems Addon support?

Rigged Systems Addon works with Blender versions 2.83 through 4.5, and the developer also notes compatibility with the earlier 2.7x, 2.8x and 2.9x series. Whether you are setting up rigs or using the placement helpers, the tools are available across those releases. If you run a version outside this range, check the developer's page for the latest compatibility details before installing, since supported versions can shift as Blender continues to update.

How do I use Rigged Systems Addon after installing it?

Rigged Systems Addon works by choosing which system to add, such as cylinders, turnbuckles or universal joints, then using the buttons in the addon to place that system in the right spot. The included functions are also practical for placing objects, particularly after importing external 3D models that all share the same origins, which is common with CAD tool imports. Following the October 2020 update, the prefab file link sits in the preferences tab. Full documentation is available for step-by-step guidance.

Which functions work in edit mode in Rigged Systems Addon?

Rigged Systems Addon offers a dedicated set of edit-mode functions alongside its object-mode tools. In edit mode you can use Empty to object, Add rotating axis, Empty to face normal, and Face to X, Y or Z direction. The Empty to object and Add rotating axis functions are noted as working in both edit and object mode, while the others are specific to edit mode. Refer to the documentation for details on how each one behaves and where to find it.

Is Rigged Systems Addon free to use?

Rigged Systems Addon is listed as free here in our catalog. Licensing terms can change over time and may differ by edition, so for the current details it is best to check the developer's page at olanders.se before you download. The addon is distributed under the GPL license. For questions about setup or how the rig systems and placement functions work, the documentation and available demo video are good starting points.

Alternatives to Rigged Systems Addon

Also in Workflow for Blender.

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