Download v1.2.3 :: v1.2.4 hotfix for Blender 3.0.0
Please support development: Ko-Fi / PayPal
The Tower Unite Blender Suite is a community-made add-on for Blender which streamlines the model creation process. Aimed at the latest version of Blender, it is easy to use and provides powerful features:
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Tower Unite Export option - File > Export > Tower Unite (.dae)
An easier export to COLLADA format with simplified options,
Due to a lingering bug in Blender 2.8 and above, COLLADA exports do not include normal maps, but this method of exporting restores that functionality. -
Export Pre-Processing - An additional section in the Tower Unite Export above
An extra set of steps the export can do to reduce your workload, such as fixing twist bones, fingers, and/or clavicles, removing invalid bones that would cause it to crash on import, enabling the use of basic colours for materials and applying modifiers without breaking player-models.
NOTE: If you have tested poses, switch the Armature to ‘Rest Position’ before exporting this way. -
Tower Unite Armature object - Object Mode > Add > Armature > Tower Unite Armature
The armature can be inserted directly into your scene at the correct scale.
This eliminates the issues (and effort) involved with importing the rig file into your scene, or vice versa. This method will also, by default, use an improved, symmetrical version of the rig with a straightened spine. -
Adjust Tower Unite Armature menu - Edit Mode > Armature > Tower Unite Rig > Adjust
This menu is automatically summoned after creating the Tower Unite armature with the previous menu.
It will allow you to easily adjust the shoulder and arms of the rig to match your model’s proportions. -
Tower Unite Pose Previews menu - Pose Mode > Pose > Tower Unite Rig > Preview Pose
Provided for this add-on by the PixelTail Games development team, you can now preview your model in poses from Tower Unite directly in Blender.
This allows for edits to be reflected in real-time, without the need to export and import with each change.
The best place to report any bugs would be directly to me on Discord: Spoom#0001
This add-on will be maintained and there are many powerful features planned for future releases.
If you find this add-on useful, please consider towards its development via Ko-Fi or PayPal
Download v1.2.3 :: v1.2.4 hotfix for Blender 3.0.0
Installation
- Download the add-on with the link above
- Open Blender (2.8 or above) and go to Edit > Preferences
- On the left, click to switch to the Add-ons tab
- At the top right corner, click Install… and choose the zip file you downloaded (TowerUniteSuite_1_1_0.zip)
- Ensure the Community tab is highlighted and find Import-Export: Tower Unite Suite in the list
- Check the box to the left of it to enable the add-on
- IF you are upgrading from v1.0.0 you should remove the previous version from this list
Changelog
1.2.4 (Hotfix)
- Fixed a crash introduced in Blender 3.0.0. Beware this is likely to break on earlier versions.
1.2.3
- Fixed a few more issues affecting some of the Pre-processing features.
- Pose previews now display correctly when twist bones are missing.
- Added yet another pose to the pose previews.
- Added a missing icon to the Pre-processing menu.
1.2.1
- Fixed an issue affecting some of the Pre-processing features.
1.2.0
- Fixed a crash on export when in certain modes.
- Fixed errors encountered in export when material names contain brackets.
- Creating the armature now includes the twist bones as an option, off by default.
- Pose previews now correctly pose the arms when they were lowered from 100% on creation/adjust.
- Added two new poses and made all pose previews accessible directly from the context menu.
- Added Pre-processing features to the Export:
• Limits the export to only contain mesh objects and, if applicable, the TU armature.
• Removes all Vertex Groups that do not match the TU Armature, which would otherwise cause the model to fail to import.
• Allows the use of materials with basic colours, without the need to make and link an image with that colour.
• Modifiers are used in the export, and the Armature modifier is created automatically.
• When using a mirror modifier, missing vertex group opposites will be created to ensure it mirrors the weights correctly.
• Optionally excludes invisible/hidden objects from the export.
• Optionally merges the clavicle bones into other bones (upperarms or spine_01/02/03).
• Optionally transfers all weights from twist bones to their counterparts.
• Optionally transfers a percentage of weight from the fingers to the hands instead, to reduce sawtooth.
1.1.0
- Migrated to a brand new addon format for easier updates in future.
- Fixed errors encountered in export when material names start with a number character or contain spaces.
- You can now choose a colour scheme for your rig which will show in Pose Mode.
- Added the ability to adjust the Tower Unite armature through a new menu: Edit Mode → Armature → Tower Unite Rig → Adjust
- Improved the UI when adding the Tower Unite Armature: it is now expanded and requires confirmation to close.
- The create armature operator will now switch to the Adjust Armature menu when confirmed.
- Removed the ability to choose between left/right symmetry when creating the armature.
- Added a menu to Pose Mode to preview the rig in poses from Tower Unite, pose data courtesy of PixelTail Games.
Screenshots
