Free Blender Add-On Brings Photoshop-Like layer Painting to 3D Models

A new year's gift to blender community - Tawan Sunflower’s Paint System add-on brings Photoshop-like painting directly into Blender. This free tool simplifies the process of painting on 3D objects, making it especially appealing for artists exploring non-photo-realistic rendering (NPR).'

Tawan recently shared a sneak peek of the add-on on Twitter, showcasing its features and ease of use. Designed to eliminate the need for complex node setups, the Paint System add-on makes Blender more accessible to beginners while offering advanced features for seasoned artists.

What Does the Paint System Do?

The Paint System add-on introduces a layer-based painting workflow, inspired by Photoshop, and integrates it seamlessly with Blender’s 3D environment. Its features include:

• Layer-Based Painting: Paint directly on 3D objects with layers that support blend modes, clipping, and animatable opacity.
• Custom Brushes: Use specialized brushes for erasing alpha, painting over shadows, or adding details to normals.
• Automated Node Creation: The tool creates and modifies node groups automatically, saving time and effort.
• Shadow Fixing and Toon Shading: Simplify tasks like fixing shadow artifacts or designing a stylized Toon Shader.

This add-on takes inspiration from the creative process behind Arcane, bringing high-quality artistic tools to Blender, entirely for free.

How to Get Started

1. Download the Paint System Add-On: The tool is available for free on Gumroad.
2. Install It in Blender: Navigate to Blender’s Preferences, select the downloaded .zip file, and enable the add-on.
3. Access the Paint System Panel: Find it in Blender’s side menu, where you can start painting directly on your 3D models.

Tawan also released a full introduction video to guide users through its features and setup. Whether you’re fixing shadows, adding custom textures, or experimenting with NPR, this tool simplifies your workflow.

Open Source and Community Driven

The Paint System add-on is not just free; it’s also open-source. Tawan encourages users to explore, modify, and improve the tool by contributing on GitHub. If you have suggestions or ideas, you can help in improving the add-on.

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