by Axnise·Workflow
Images © Axnise. Used for product review; image policy.
Stands out in the blender_extensions library for consolidating shape key blending into a single draggable joystick, backed by a preset system that keyframes states across multiple objects at once.
ShapeKey Axis Control is a Blender animation and rigging add-on that maps shape key values to a 2D Axis Panel, or HUD. By manipulating a virtual joystick across the X and Y axes, you blend multiple shape keys based on target coordinates. It applies to scenarios such as facial rigging, eye tracking, lip syncing, and complex mechanical animations.
The 2D Axis HUD controller drives multiple shape keys by dragging a target point in a virtual 2D space, with Box, Radial, or restricted Axis (X-only / Y-only) blend modes and falloffs. Controls organize into distinct groups such as Eyes, Mouth, and Brows. A Global Animation Presets system captures joystick positions of all groups across all objects, using Set to record, Call to apply, and Key to insert keyframes. Reset and Reset All clear the current group or zero out the entire model.
The add-on works with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer and is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. It installs from disk as a .zip file or through the Blender Extensions system, and it requires no special permissions.
ShapeKey Axis Control is best for blender artists handling facial rigging, eye tracking, lip syncing, or complex mechanical animations who want to drive multiple shape keys from a single 2D joystick.
ShapeKey Axis Control is completely free to download and use.
ShapeKey Axis Control runs on Blender 4.2 LTS and newer, and it requires no special permissions to install. The current release, version 4.0.44, is a compact download of around 26 KB. If you are on an earlier Blender build, update to 4.2 or later before installing, since the add-on will not load on versions below that minimum. Once your Blender meets the requirement, you can enable it from the add-on list in Preferences.
ShapeKey Axis Control installs in two ways. You can download the latest release, then in Blender go to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install from Disk and select the downloaded .zip file, then enable ShapeKey Axis Control in the add-on list. Alternatively, search for ShapeKey Axis Control under Edit → Preferences → Get Extensions to install it through the Blender Extensions system. Both routes leave you with the add-on ready to enable in your preferences.
ShapeKey Axis Control works from the Sidebar. Select an object with shape keys, open the Sidebar with N, and go to the Shape XY tab. Create a new group and add shape key mappings, then assign shape keys to the X and Y axes with the ranges you want. Click Start to enable the HUD joystick, then drag the joystick handle to control your shape keys in real time. Blend modes include Box, Radial, and restricted X-only or Y-only calculations.
ShapeKey Axis Control is listed as free here, and it is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. For the current license terms and full source code, check the developer's page on GitHub. Group configurations can be exported and imported to share setups between projects, and the animation preset system lets you save, recall, and keyframe states across multiple objects. No special permissions are required to install it.
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