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Shading +
by 1P2D·Workflow
Images © 1P2D. Used for product review; image policy.
Why we like it
Shading + earns its place in the blender_extensions library for consolidating render engine switching, Matcap and Solid Shading presets, HDRI handling, and viewport toggles into one pie menu. The developer notes it pairs with the HDRI Rotator add-on.
What is Shading +?
Shading + is a Blender add-on from 1P2D that gathers viewport shading controls into a single pie menu, described as a shading pie for designers and artists. From the menu you can move between Workbench, EEVEE, and Cycles render engines, switch to Wireframe, Material Preview, or Solid shading, and reach HDRI presets alongside a set of extra toggles.
The add-on brings Alias shaders into Blender as Matcaps and includes Toon-like Matcap presets, imported through the add-on preferences. Its Solid Shading presets range from Blender's default viewport settings to Cell shading and several Alias-based options, and these can be rendered using Workbench. HDRI presets let you switch between built-in and World HDRIs, with a toggle to sync a built-in preset to the scene's World.
The pie menu opens with the Z key by default and can be remapped, while individual sections can be turned on or off through preference toggles. Version 1.1.4 adds Ctrl+click switching of render engines without changing shading mode, direct World assignment from the menu, and clearer World Sync labels and icons.
Who is Shading + best for?
Shading + is best for designers and artists managing viewport shading, render engines, and HDRIs in Blender from a single pie menu.
How much does Shading + cost?
Shading + is completely free to download and use.
Key features
- Pie menu for switching between Workbench, EEVEE, and Cycles render engines, with Ctrl+click to set the engine without changing shading mode
- Alias shaders brought into Blender as Matcaps, plus Toon-like Matcap presets
- Solid Shading presets including Default, Cell 1/2, and Alias-based options, renderable with Workbench
- HDRI presets that switch between built-in and World HDRIs, with a toggle to sync a built-in preset to the scene's World
- Extra toggles for Compositor, Transparency, Normals, Wireframe, Shadows, Subdivision, and Camera Background
- Customisable pie menu via preference toggles and a default Z keymap that can be reassigned
Tags
#Blender#pie menu#matcap#HDRI#viewport shading#render engine#shading presets
Frequently asked questions
Does Shading + work with Blender 4.2?
Shading + is compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer, so it runs on current long-term-support releases and later builds. It's distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later and requires no special permissions. You can add it by dragging and dropping the extension into Blender or installing it from disk. If you're unsure whether your specific build is supported, check the developer's page at extensions.blender.org for the latest compatibility details.
How do I install the Matcaps in Shading +?
Shading + installs its Alias Matcaps from the add-on preferences: open the preferences and click 'Install/Update Matcaps', and a confirmation message appears in the status bar once installation succeeds. There's also an 'Import Matcaps' button for bringing in new Matcaps after the add-on is installed. If you only want the Matcaps, you can disable the pie menu via its checkbox, though the developer notes you won't be notified of new Matcap releases if you do.
What keyboard shortcut opens the Shading + pie menu?
Shading + opens its pie menu with the Z key by default. This keymap can be changed from the add-on settings or through Blender's main keymap menu. The pie menu itself is customisable through toggles in the add-on preferences, letting you adjust which sections appear. The menu includes shading modes, render engine options, Solid Shading presets, HDRI presets, and extra toggles.
Is Shading + free to use?
Shading + is listed as free here and is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. For current licensing terms and details on the add-on itself, check the developer's page at extensions.blender.org. The developer also suggests pairing it with the HDRI Rotator add-on. If you only need the Alias Matcaps rather than the full pie menu, you can install the extension and then disable the pie menu from its checkbox.
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