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Smart Align

by Amir·Workflow

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

Why we like it

Smart Align earns its place in the superhive library for a focused set of arrangement tools, from axis lines and auto-sized grids to bounding box alignment against the 3D cursor.

What is Smart Align?

Smart Align is an add-on for Blender that arranges multiple selected objects into ordered layouts. It offers several alignment modes: Align X, Align Y and Align Z place objects in a single line along each axis, with Align Z stacking them vertically. A Grid mode builds layouts on the XY, XZ and YZ planes and their negative counterparts, and can auto-calculate the ideal grid size. A Diagonal mode lays objects out with even spacing.

The add-on uses the 3D cursor as the origin point for each arrangement. You can set the exact distance between objects, apply a consistent rotation around each object's local Z-axis, and use bounding box alignment to line objects up by their top or bottom extremes against the cursor's Z-position. A one-click reset returns selected objects to their original positions and rotations.

Smart Align is reachable from the N-Panel under the Tool tab in the 3D Viewport, or through the Object Context Menu by right-clicking in the viewport. It carries specific licensing terms and is provided as-is by its author.

Who is Smart Align best for?

Smart Align is best for arranging multiple 3D assets into organized layouts for scene setup, asset showcases and portfolio renders.

How much does Smart Align cost?

Smart Align is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Alignment modes that place objects in a single line along the X, Y or Z axis, with Align Z stacking them vertically
  • Grid mode across the XY, XZ and YZ planes and their negative counterparts, with optional auto-calculated grid size
  • Diagonal layout with even spacing between objects
  • Bounding box alignment to top or bottom extremes, referenced to the 3D cursor's Z-position
  • Customizable spacing to set the exact distance between aligned objects
  • Consistent rotation applied around each object's local Z-axis
  • One-click reset that reverts selected objects to their original positions and rotations

Tags

#Blender#alignment#object arrangement#grid layout#workflow#add-on#asset organization

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Smart Align in Blender?

Smart Align installs like a standard Blender add-on. Download the SmartAlign zip file, then open Edit > Preferences > Add-ons and click the Install button. Navigate to the downloaded zip, select it, and click Install Add-on. Once it's added, enable the add-on by checking the box next to Object: SmartAlign. After that, its tools are reachable from the N-Panel under the Tool tab in the 3D Viewport, or through the Object Context Menu by right-clicking in the viewport.

Where do I access Smart Align in the 3D Viewport?

Smart Align is available in two places inside the 3D Viewport. You can open it from the N-Panel under the Tool tab, or bring it up through the Object Context Menu by right-clicking in the viewport. Before aligning, select the objects you want to arrange and position the 3D cursor where the first object, or the start of your grid or line, should sit. For top or bottom bounding box alignment, the 3D cursor's Z-position sets the reference height for the arrangement.

How does the 3D cursor affect Smart Align's arrangements?

Smart Align uses the 3D cursor as the origin point for arranging your selected objects. Place the cursor where you want the first object, or the start of your grid or line, to be positioned. When you use the Top or Bottom bounding box alignment, the cursor's Z-position becomes the reference height, so objects line up to a common level based on their bounding box extremes rather than their origins. This helps when working with irregularly shaped objects where the bottom isn't obvious.

Can I resell or redistribute Smart Align?

Smart Align comes with licensing terms set by its author, Amir (ab36 studio). Personal use and modifying it for your own projects is permitted, but you may not resell, redistribute, sublicense, or share the add-on in any form, modified or unmodified, without explicit written permission. Creating derivative works for resale or redistribution is also prohibited. The add-on is provided as-is without warranty, so use is at your own risk. Check the developer's page for the full terms before you rely on it.

Is Smart Align free to download?

Smart Align is listed as free here in the catalog. Pricing and licensing can change over time, so it's worth checking the developer's page for the current terms before downloading. Keep in mind that the add-on carries specific licensing conditions: personal use and modification for your own projects is allowed, but reselling, redistributing, or sharing it, modified or not, requires written permission from the author. The developer's page is the best place to confirm the latest details.

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