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BLBlender

Show Parent

by Blender.Fun·Workflow

Images © Blender.Fun. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Show Parent earns its place in the superhive library as a narrow, practical add-on. Its whole job is making parent relationships visible in the viewport, with color-coded arrows and optional start markers you can size and tint as needed.

What is Show Parent?

Show Parent adds parent-relationship visualization to Blender's 3D Viewport. It draws yellow arrows for object parents and blue arrows for bone parents, so you can see how items connect without hunting through a complex scene. Camera-facing start markers, drawn as billboard circles with adjustable size and colors, can be shown optionally.

The add-on includes bone and object modes and an only-selected filter, along with size and color controls for the markers. It's aimed at rigging, cleanup, and debugging work. Once installed and enabled, its options live under View3D → Sidebar → Tool → Show Parent, where you can toggle them as needed.

Show Parent is a GPL-licensed add-on compatible with Blender versions 3.1 through 5.0, and it's listed as Blender Extension compatible. The developer, Blender.Fun, is a Blender Development Fund contributor. A demo video is available for a closer look.

Who is Show Parent best for?

Show Parent is best for rigging, scene cleanup, and debugging parent relationships in Blender.

How much does Show Parent cost?

Show Parent is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Yellow arrows for object parents and blue arrows for bone parents, drawn in the 3D Viewport
  • Separate bone and object modes
  • Only-selected filter to limit the display to the current selection
  • Optional camera-facing start markers shown as billboard circles
  • Adjustable size and color controls for the markers
  • Controls accessible from View3D → Sidebar → Tool

Tags

#Blender#add-on#rigging#parenting#viewport#visualization#debugging

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Show Parent support?

Show Parent lists compatibility with Blender versions 3.1 through 5.0, so it covers a wide span of releases from older builds to more recent ones. It's also marked as Blender Extension compatible, meaning it fits Blender's extensions system. If you're on a version within that range, the add-on should load and expose its viewport options. For any version outside 3.1 to 5.0, check the developer's page before installing to confirm it will run as expected on your particular setup.

How do I install and access Show Parent?

Show Parent installs like a standard Blender add-on: install the file, then enable the add-on in Blender's preferences. Once it's active, its controls appear under View3D → Sidebar → Tool → Show Parent, where you can toggle the arrows, switch between bone and object modes, apply the only-selected filter, and adjust marker size and color. From there the yellow and blue arrows draw directly in the 3D Viewport. See the developer's page or the demo video for a walkthrough.

Does Show Parent distinguish between object and bone parents?

Show Parent uses two colors to separate the two relationship types: yellow arrows mark object parents and blue arrows mark bone parents, both drawn directly in the 3D Viewport. It offers dedicated bone and object modes, plus an only-selected filter to limit the display to your current selection. You can also enable camera-facing start markers, shown as billboard circles, and adjust their size and color. Together these let you read parent links at a glance during rigging or cleanup.

Is Show Parent free, and what license does it use?

Show Parent is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing and pricing can change over time, so for the current terms it's best to check the developer's page on superhive directly. The add-on is released under the GPL license, which is standard for Blender add-ons and governs how you can use and share it. Blender.Fun, the developer behind it, is also listed as a Blender Development Fund contributor.

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