🌵 Columnar Cactus Generator — easily create and customize realistic columnar cacti to perfectly fit your scene. ⭐

🧩 Requirements

Blender 4.2 - 5.2

Created with the LTS releases of Blender 4.2, 4.5, and 5.2

No external add-ons required

Works with Cycles and Eevee

⚙️ Installation & Usage (Asset Library)

Add the asset to your Asset Library

Place the Columnar_Cactus_Generator.blend file into a folder registered as an Asset Library in Blender.

To register a folder:

- Go to Edit → Preferences → File Paths → Asset Libraries,

- Click +, choose the folder, and give it a name (e.g., My Assets).

Using the asset in your project

- Open your Blender project,

- Open the Asset Browser (Shift+F1 or from the sidebar),

- Navigate to the folder containing Columnar_Cactus_Generator,

- Drag and drop the generator into your scene — a new object will be created with all controls exposed.

Optional tips

Rename, tag, and categorize the asset for easier search,

Save custom presets by creating objects in your Asset Library.

🌵Parameters Overview (Controls)

Use Input Curve - Use a curve to define the cactus shape and arm placement. Disable to generate the cactus procedurally using the provided settings

Cactus Type - Choose the cactus species to generate. Each type features unique growth characteristics and procedural controls

Realize Instances - Off — Optimized viewport performance, On — Export-ready geometry

Snap to Environment - Snap generated cacti to the nearest point on the environment surface using Sample Nearest Surface

Environment - Select the object used as the environment surface for snapping generated cacti

General Settings

Cactus Scale - Controls the overall size of the Cactus

Stem Outer Radius - Controls the overall thickness of the cactus stem

Stem Height - Controls the overall height of the cactus stem

Cactus Rotation - Controls the overall rotation of the cactus around its vertical axis

Stem Profile

Number of Ribs - Controls the number of ribs around the cactus stem

Rib Depth Ratio - Controls the depth of the grooves between ribs

Inner Rotation - Rotates the inner points of the rib profile relative to the outer points

Rib Sharpness - Controls how sharp or rounded the outer ribs of the cactus are

Stem Shape

Stem Bending Angle - Controls the angle by which the cactus stem bends away from its original growth direction

Stem Rotation Angle - Controls the direction of the stem bend around its growth axis

Stem Surface Detail - Controls the intensity of small-scale surface relief on the cactus stem. Higher values create a more pronounced and textured surface, while lower values produce a smoother appearance

Arm Settings (Procedural Arms)

Number of Arms - Controls how many procedural arms grow from the cactus stem

Arm Distribution Seed - Controls the random pattern of arm placement on the cactus stem

Arm Length - Controls the length of the cactus arms

Arm Bending Angle - Controls the angle by which the cactus arm bends away from its original growth direction

Arm Rotation Angle - Controls the direction of the arm bend around stem growth axis

Arm Radius Ratio - Controls the relative radius of the arms compared to the main stem

Arm Scale - Controls the overall size of the Arm

Cactus Group Settings

Number of Cactus - Controls the number of Cactus in Group

Group Radius - Controls the radius of the Cactus group distribution

Cactus Rotation Random Seed - Controls the random rotation of individual stems around their vertical (Z) axis within the organ pipe cactus cluster

Cactus Scale Random Seed - Controls the random size variation of individual stems within the organ pipe cactus cluster

Cactus Distribution Seed - Controls the random placement in the Group

Knob and Spine Settings

Knob Radius - Controls the size of individual knobs (tubercles)

Knob Coverage - Controls how much of the cactus surface is covered with knobs. Higher values produce denser coverage and fewer bare areas

Spine Density on the Knob - Controls the density of spine distribution on each knob

Spine and Knob Scale - Controls the overall scale of the knobs and their spines

Spine Length - Adjusts the length of the spines

🎨 Tips for Use