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BLBlender

Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key

by TinkerBoi·Workflow

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

Why we like it

Earns its place for handling a tedious part of Blender rigging, setting up shapekey drivers, while leaving files free of any dependency on the addon once the drivers are built.

What is Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key?

Shapekey Driver Builder is a Blender addon that provides an interface for setting up drivers for your shapekeys. Instead of working through Blender's driver editor, you can configure a driver's keyframes across multiple shapekeys in a few clicks. It works for shapekey-based facial rigs, corrective shapekeys, and muscle flex.

For facial rigs, you can hook facial shapekeys to your armature's bones. When your shapekeys and bones are named appropriately, the Flip Driver feature mirrors a driver you set up on one side to the other side with one click. For corrective and muscle shapekeys, you can record the position you want to trigger a shapekey at a specific value.

The addon is a builder tool: it only sets up the drivers, and the file does not need the addon to function afterward. You can send a finished file to someone who does not have the addon and the drivers will still work. Documentation is available, along with a demo video.

Who is Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key best for?

Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key is best for riggers and character artists setting up shapekey drivers for facial rigs, corrective shapekeys, or muscle flex in Blender.

How much does Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key cost?

Shapekey Driver Builder - Set Driven Key is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Interface for setting up drivers for shapekeys without working through Blender's driver editor
  • Hooks facial shapekeys to an armature's bones for facial rigs
  • Flip Driver mirrors a driver from one side to the other with one click when shapekeys and bones are named appropriately
  • Records the position to trigger a shapekey at a specific value for corrective and muscle shapekeys
  • Sets up driver keyframes across multiple shapekeys in a few clicks
  • No vendor lock: finished files keep working without the addon installed
  • Documentation available

Tags

#shapekeys#drivers#rigging#facial rig#corrective shapekey#muscle flex#Blender addon

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Shapekey Driver Builder installed to open a file after the drivers are set up?

Shapekey Driver Builder is a builder tool, so it only sets up the drivers for you and the file does not require the addon to function afterward. Once you have set up your drivers, you can safely send the file to someone who does not have the addon installed, and the drivers will continue to work without a problem. This means your finished rigs stay free of any dependency on the addon itself.

How does the Flip Driver feature in Shapekey Driver Builder work?

Shapekey Driver Builder includes a Flip Driver feature. If your shapekeys and bones are named appropriately, you can set up your drivers on one side and then flip the driver to the other side with one click. That removes the need to rebuild the same driver configuration by hand on the opposite side after you have already done it once, which is handy across a symmetrical rig.

Can Shapekey Driver Builder set up corrective and muscle shapekeys?

Shapekey Driver Builder is useful for setting up corrective shapekeys and muscle shapekeys on your models and rigs. You can record the position you want to trigger the shapekey at a specific value, so the shape activates when the rig reaches that point. Alongside corrective and muscle flex work, the addon also handles shapekey-based facial rigs, where facial shapekeys are hooked up to your armature's bones.

Is Shapekey Driver Builder free?

Shapekey Driver Builder is listed as free here in our catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so check the developer's page on Superhive for the current details before you download. The addon is also part of the Set Driven Key - Value Bundle, which pairs it with the Action Constraint Builder, another set-up tool from the same developer, if you want both.

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