🧩 Snapdrop: Extension Documentation

📌 Product Information

• Version: 1.0.0

• Maintainer: Egret (Egret Software)

• Email: egretfx@gmail.com

• 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.

Built for artists, environment designers, and scene assemblers, it eliminates manual positioning and ensures fast, precise object placement.

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

⚙️ Features

🎯 Smart Snapping Modes

Control how objects detect their contact point:

• Lowest Vertex — Uses the mesh’s lowest point for maximum accuracy

• Origin — Drops based on the object’s origin

• Center — Uses bounding box center for alignment

🧍 Surface Alignment

• Align objects to the surface normal automatically

• Ideal for rocks, debris, and uneven terrain placement

🧩 Parenting-Aware

• Fully supports parent–child hierarchies

• Choose whether to affect:

  • Parents only

  • Children only

  • Both

🎲 Optional Randomization

Add natural variation:

• Random Z-axis rotation 🔄

• Random X/Y offset radius 📍

• Adjustable Z-offset (hover or embed effects)

🧱 Selection-Based Collision

• Enable “Collision in Selection” to limit raycasting to selected objects only

• Perfect for controlled placement in complex scenes

⚡ Fast Workflow

• Accessible via N-Panel → SnapDrop™

• Right-click context menu support

• Default hotkey: V (fully customizable)

📦 Installation

1. Download the snapdrop_extension.zip file

2. Open Blender → Edit → Preferences → Add-ons

3. Click Install...

4. Select the .zip file

5. Enable SnapDrop™ from the add-on list

📍 Access panel:
3D Viewport → Sidebar (N) → SnapDrop™ Tab

🕹️ Usage

1. Select Objects

Select one or multiple objects in your scene

2. Open Panel

View3D → N-Panel → SnapDrop™

3. Adjust Settings

• Choose Snap Method (Lowest / Origin / Center)

• Toggle Surface Alignment

• Enable Collision in Selection (optional)

• Configure parenting and randomization options

4. Execute

Click “SnapDrop Mesh!” ⚡

Objects will instantly snap to the nearest surface.

5. Quick Shortcut

Press V in the viewport for instant snapping

🧰 Panel Reference

SettingDescriptionSnap ByChoose snapping method (Lowest / Origin / Center)Collision in SelectionLimits raycasting to selected objects onlySurface AlignmentAligns object rotation to surface normalAffect ParentingEnables hierarchy-aware behaviorOnly ParentsDrops only parent objectsSelected ChildrenIncludes selected child objectsRandomization (Planned)Rotation, offset radius, Z-offset

🧠 Tips & Notes

• Works in Object Mode only

• Not supported in Edit or Sculpt mode

• Supports Mesh and Empty objects

⚡ Performance Tips:

• Disable Surface Alignment in heavy scenes

• Process objects in smaller batches

🎹 Keymap Tip:
If V is already assigned:
Go to Edit → Preferences → Keymap → 3D View → Object Mode and reassign

⚡ Troubleshooting

IssueSolutionNothing happensEnsure objects are selected and you're in Object ModeObjects snap to (0,0,0)Ensure there is a mesh surface belowKey conflictChange shortcut key in PreferencesParenting issuesAdjust “Affect Parenting” settings

🧾 License

SnapDrop™
Copyright © 2024 Egret Software

This program is free software:
You can redistribute and/or modify it under the terms of the
GNU General Public License v3.0 or later

🧑‍💻 Credits

Developed by Egret
© 2024 Egret Software

📧 egretfx@gmail.com
🌐 Egret Studios

✨ SnapDrop™

Snap. Align. Done. ⚡