by Pitiwazou·Modeling
Images © Pitiwazou. Used for product review; image policy.
Speedflow stands out in the superhive library for consolidating modifier work into modals you drive from the viewport, and it has been updated and improved since 2016.
Speedflow is a suite of modal tools for Blender, developed by Pitiwazou and updated and improved since 2016. It groups modifier work into modals you drive from the 3D view: select an object, launch a modal, add multiple modifiers on the fly, then launch another modal and keep building without leaving the viewport.
The core modals cover a range of modeling tasks. The Cutter handles cuts, unions, rebools and lines. The Array modal manages multiple Array modifiers, including circular arrays and arrays on curves, and can create cables with Start and End Caps. The Boolean modal switches between Intersection, Difference and Union, with an auto-update when a Bevel modifier is present. Bevel, Mirror, Solidify, Subsurf and Tubify round out the set, with Tubify creating cables from curves or edge-only meshes.
On Blender 2.8, Speedflow adds more modals, including Weighted Normals, Curve, Displace, Screw, Decimate, Simple Deform, Edge Split, Triangulate, Skin, Wireframe and Mod Visibility. Preferences let you add custom settings to fit your workflow, and a demo video is available.
Speedflow is best for blender modelers who want to add and manage modifiers directly in the 3D view through modal tools.
Speedflow is completely free to download and use.
Speedflow includes an expanded set of modals on Blender 2.8, adding Weighted Normals, Curve, Displace, Screw, Decimate, Simple Deform, Edge Split, Triangulate, Skin, Wireframe and Mod Visibility on top of the core Cutter, Array, Boolean, Bevel, Tubify, Mirror, Solidify and Subsurf modals. The Array modal also gains a Circular Array option on 2.8. For the exact range of supported Blender versions, check the developer's page.
Speedflow is built around modals, which are modes where you can perform multiple actions. Inside a modal you can create a modifier, change its settings, add subdivisions, move the cursor and more. Blender itself uses modals for tools like the Knife and Bevel. Speedflow's approach lets you select an object, launch a modal, add multiple modifiers on the fly, then launch another modal and keep working.
Speedflow can create cables in two ways. The Array modal builds cables using Start and End Caps and lets you create arrays along curves. The Tubify modal creates a cable in one click from a curve or a mesh with only edges, and lets you change the depth, resolutions U and V, convert the cable to polygons, and use or switch profiles inside the modal.
Speedflow is listed as free here in the catalog. Because licensing terms can change over time, it's best to confirm current pricing and any license conditions on the developer's page before downloading. The addon has been updated and improved since 2016, so checking the developer's page also helps you grab the latest build along with the current terms and documentation.
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