by NicolasPriniotakis·Modeling
Images © NicolasPriniotakis. Used for product review; image policy.
This add-on earns its place in the Blender extensions library as a focused, single-purpose importer: it takes NASA SRTM HGT data and builds georeferenced terrain with accurate latitude-based scaling and real-world elevation, materials, and stored metadata. Open source under GPL v3.0 or later.
SRTM Terrain Importer is a Blender add-on from NicolasPriniotakis that converts SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) HGT files into 3D terrain meshes. It reads SRTM 1 arc-second (30 m) elevation data, calculates terrain dimensions from latitude, and preserves height values in real-world meters.
Import runs through File > Import > SRTM HGT or by dragging .hgt files into the Blender window. You can set subdivision levels from 10 to 200 for mesh detail, adjust vertical scale from 0.1x to 5.0x for height exaggeration, and choose between natural terrain colors or a grayscale elevation map. The add-on builds elevation-based color gradient materials with Blender's node system, applies automatic UV mapping and displacement, and uses Cycles displacement for rendering. Each terrain object stores its coordinates, elevation range, tile dimensions, and original resolution.
HGT tiles can be sourced from the SRTM browser at dwtkns.com and downloaded with a free NASA Earthdata account. Coverage is limited to the SRTM range of 60°N to 56°S, and large terrains or high subdivision levels can require significant memory. The add-on is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later.
SRTM Terrain Importer is best for landscape visualization, scientific terrain analysis, game level design, environmental studies, architecture site planning, and VFX background creation using real-world elevation data.
SRTM Terrain Importer is completely free to download and use.
SRTM Terrain Importer is compatible with Blender 4.2 LTS and newer. It installs as a Blender extension and adds an entry under File > Import > SRTM HGT (.hgt), and it also accepts .hgt files dragged directly into the Blender window. The version listed here is 1.0.5, updated in February 2025. Because it relies on Cycles displacement to render the terrain, you get the intended high-quality height representation when rendering through Cycles rather than another engine.
SRTM Terrain Importer offers two import paths: go to File > Import > SRTM HGT (.hgt) and select a file, or drag and drop .hgt files straight into the Blender window. During import you can adjust three settings: subdivisions from 10 to 200 to control mesh detail, vertical scale from 0.1x to 5.0x for height exaggeration, and a color scheme choice between natural terrain colors or a grayscale elevation map. Higher subdivision levels add detail but can slow performance, so a lower value around 50 is a reasonable starting point.
SRTM Terrain Importer reads .hgt files from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. You can browse and select tiles through the SRTM browser at dwtkns.com/srtm30m, then download the ones you need. Downloading requires a free NASA Earthdata account, which you can create at the Earthdata site if you don't already have one. Files are named by their coordinates, such as N37W123.hgt, and each tile covers a 1° × 1° area. Coverage is limited to the region between 60°N and 56°S mapped by the mission.
SRTM Terrain Importer builds mesh geometry whose density depends on your subdivision setting, so higher values add more vertices and can affect viewport performance. Large terrain tiles may require significant memory, and processing time increases with the subdivision level. Starting around a subdivision value of 50 and increasing detail as needed is a practical approach. The add-on automatically adjusts the viewport clip range for large terrains, and in areas with low elevation variation you may need to raise the vertical scale for visual clarity.
SRTM Terrain Importer is listed as free in this catalog and is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. The add-on is a small Python extension, and its source is available on the developer's GitHub repository, where you can also raise issues or contribute. For the current licensing terms and any usage conditions, check the developer's page. The SRTM elevation data itself is provided courtesy of NASA/USGS and is downloaded separately by the user.
Also in Modeling for Blender.
by 3d illusions
Ai Depth Modeller generates 3D models inside Blender from an image or as you paint in the 2D image editor. The AI runs locally on your machine to produce depth maps, then sliders and paint tools shape the result.
by 3D Mage
Figaro - Fast Base Meshes is a Blender add-on for building character and creature base meshes by adding volumes around vertices, edges, and faces, with shapes formed by interpolating the radius assigned to each vertex.
by Hydrocallis
Circular Stacker is a Blender add-on that distributes selected objects in a circular, donut-shaped pattern. It offers controls for radius, height increment, rotation, and skip patterns, creating as many circles as needed to fit all objects.
by JLBöhm
Surface Diagnostics is a Blender addon for technical surfacing, putting a curvature graph and analytic shaders a single click away. It targets surfaces with complex curvature across automotive, product design and game asset work.
by CGMatter
Better Primitives is a Blender add-on from CGMatter that makes primitives fully non-destructive. Add a shape from the Shift + A menu, then adjust its parameters at any time using gizmos.
by Community
LoopTools is a mesh modelling toolkit for Blender that gathers several tools to aid modelling. It was previously part of Blender 4.1's bundled add-ons and is now offered as an extension, provided as it is with limited support.
by Community
Extra Mesh Objects is a Blender add-on that expands the Add > Mesh menu with additional mesh object types. Previously bundled with Blender 4.1, it now ships as a standalone extension for Blender 4.2 LTS and newer.
by nickberckley
Bool Tool brings quick boolean operators to Blender for hard-surface modeling, covering brush booleans, destructive auto boolean cuts, and workspace tools that carve objects with custom shapes in both object and edit modes.
by Community
Extra Curve Objects is a community add-on for Blender that adds extra curve object types. It lives under View3D → Add → Curve → Extra Objects and was previously part of Blender 4.1's bundled add-ons.
by MACHIN3
MESHmachine is a mesh modeling addon for Blender focused on hard surface work without subdivision surfaces. It fuses and unfuses surfaces, creates variable fillets and washouts, edits bevels, and details meshes with plugs.
by Community
A.N.T.Landscape is a Blender add mesh add-on for generating landscapes and displacement. Originally a bundled add-on in Blender 4.1, it's now offered as-is with limited support, accessed from the View3D sidebar's Create tab.
