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BLBlender

Smart Outliner

by Azerilo·Workflow

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

Why we like it

Smart Outliner earns its spot for a narrow, practical job: keeping the Outliner focused on whatever you've selected in the viewport. Its auto-start behaviour means there's nothing to remember between sessions.

What is Smart Outliner?

Smart Outliner is a Blender add-on that keeps the Outliner panel in sync with your selection. Whenever you select an object in the 3D Viewport, it scrolls to and reveals that object in the Outliner, which helps when navigating complex hierarchies or large files.

The add-on focuses the selected object automatically as you work and updates in real time while you navigate or switch between objects. It starts on file load, so it runs without clicking a button each time you open Blender, and it runs quietly in the background.

Smart Outliner is compatible with Blender 3.6 and 4.x. It's released under the GPL license and can also be bought as part of Azerilo's Smart Tools package, which bundles it with seven other add-ons. A demo video is available.

Who is Smart Outliner best for?

Smart Outliner is best for 3D artists managing large or complex scenes and animators navigating rigs and hierarchies.

How much does Smart Outliner cost?

Smart Outliner is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Automatic focus reveals the selected object in the Outliner as you work
  • Real-time syncing that updates while navigating or switching between objects
  • Auto-start on file load, so it runs without clicking a button each session
  • Lightweight and non-intrusive, running quietly in the background
  • Compatible with Blender 3.6 and 4.x

Tags

#outliner#workflow#productivity#scene navigation#hierarchy#Blender add-on#Azerilo

Frequently asked questions

Does Smart Outliner work with Blender 4.x?

Smart Outliner is compatible with Blender 3.6 and the 4.x series, so it covers a broad span of recent Blender releases. It works by watching your selection in the 3D Viewport and revealing the matching object in the Outliner panel, updating in real time as you navigate or switch between objects. If you're on one of these supported versions, the add-on should slot into your existing setup. For the latest confirmation of supported Blender versions, check the developer's page before installing.

How is Smart Outliner licensed?

Smart Outliner is released under the GPL license and 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 you download. The add-on is also offered as one component of Azerilo's Smart Tools package, which bundles it together with seven other add-ons if you want more than the outliner tool on its own.

Does Smart Outliner start automatically when I open Blender?

Smart Outliner starts on file load, which means it's active as soon as you open Blender without needing you to click a button each session. Once running, it focuses the currently selected object in the Outliner and keeps the panel in sync as you work, revealing objects and updating in real time while you navigate. It's designed to run quietly in the background, so it stays out of the way while it handles Outliner focus for you.

Who benefits most from Smart Outliner?

Smart Outliner is aimed at 3D artists managing large or complex scenes and animators navigating rigs and deep hierarchies, where the Outliner can quickly fill up. By automatically revealing whatever you select in the 3D Viewport, it saves you from scrolling and expanding the panel to find the active object. It works in the background and syncs in real time as you switch between objects, so the Outliner always reflects your current selection. Anyone who wants a cleaner, more focused Blender scene view can use it.

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