🧩 SnapDrop™ — Object Surface Snapper for Blender

Version: 1.0.0
Maintainer: Egret (Egret Software)
Email: [email protected]
License: GPL-3.0-or-later
Blender Version: 4.2.0+

🧠 Overview

SnapDrop™ is a one-click Blender add-on that instantly drops and aligns selected objects onto the nearest surface or ground plane.
It’s designed for artists, environment designers, and scene assemblers who want precise, fast object placement — no manual adjustments required.

With a single click, objects snap naturally onto terrain, floors, or any surface while preserving hierarchy, orientation, and optional randomization.

⚙️ Features

🎯 Smart Snapping Modes

Choose how objects detect their contact point:

• Lowest Vertex — uses the mesh’s lowest point for accuracy.

• Origin — drops based on the object’s origin point.

• Center — aligns using the object’s bounding box center.

🧍 Surface Alignment

• Optionally rotate objects to align with the hit surface normal.

• Perfect for rocks, debris, or items on uneven terrain.

🧩 Parenting-Aware

• Supports parent–child hierarchies.

• Choose whether to drop parents, children, or both.

🎲 Randomization (Optional)

• Randomize rotation around the Z-axis.

• Add random X/Y offset radius for more natural distribution.

• Apply Z-offset for hovering or embedding effects.

🧱 Selection-Based Collision

• Toggle “Collision in Selection” to limit raycast checks to selected objects only — great for precise ground snapping in cluttered scenes.

⚡ Fast Workflow

• Quick-access button in the N-Panel under SnapDrop™.

• Right-click context menu shortcut.

• Default hotkey: V (customizable).

🧩 Installation

1. Download the snapdrop_extension.zip file (or create one from this script).

2. In Blender, go to:
   Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install…

3. Select the .zip file and click Install Add-on.

4. Enable SnapDrop™ from the add-on list.

5. The panel will appear under:
   3D Viewport → Sidebar (N) → SnapDrop™ Tab

🕹️ Usage

1. Select Objects

Select one or multiple objects in your scene.

2. Open SnapDrop Panel

View3D → N-Panel → SnapDrop™

3. Adjust Settings

• Choose Snap Method: Lowest / Origin / Center

• Toggle Surface Alignment

• Enable Collision in Selection if needed

• Adjust parenting or randomization options

4. Click

“SnapDrop Mesh!” — and watch your selected objects fall perfectly onto the ground or surface.

5. Optional Shortcut

Press V in the viewport to perform a snap instantly.

🧰 Panel Reference

🧠 Tips & Notes

• Applies only in Object Mode.
  The operator will not run in Edit or Sculpt mode.

• Supports Mesh & Empty types.

• Heavy scenes: For best performance, disable “Surface Alignment” or batch in smaller groups.

• Keymap conflicts: If “V” is already used, change it under
  Edit → Preferences → Keymap → 3D View → Object Mode.

⚡ Troubleshooting

🧾 License

SnapDrop™
Copyright (C) 2024 Egret Software

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 3 or later.

🧑‍💻 Credits

Developed by Egret
© 2024 Egret Software
📧 [email protected]
🌐 More tools and addons: Egret Studios