Tech riderRev. 4 Oct 2026
Contour Rig Tools
- 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, Windows
- 2CostsFree plan · free trial · paid from $40/mo
- 3Deploymenthost plugin
- 4Rig targetsmixed
- 5Scripting supportYes
- 6Supported host appsMaya
6 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: notionalpipe.com
Overview
Contour Rig Tools is ranked #2 of 26 in 3D rigging software on Specifiction. It runs on API, Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan. A free trial is offered. Paid plans start at $40/mo.
Contour Rig Tools plans and pricing
All plansRigger Mode — twelve months $40/mo $40.00 / month for twelve months Node-locked or floating license · Create and modify Contour rigs notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
Rigger Mode — six months $45/mo $45.00 / month for six months Node-locked or floating license · Create and modify Contour rigs notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
Rigger Mode — one month $50/mo $50.00 / month for one month Node-locked or floating license · Create and modify Contour rigs notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
Compared on 3D rigging software
- Free plan
- Yesnotionalpipe.com
- Paid from
- $40/monotionalpipe.com
- Deployment
- host_pluginnotionalpipe.com
- Rig targets
- mixednotionalpipe.com
- Scripting support
- Yesnotionalpipe.com
- Supported host apps
- Mayanotionalpipe.com
Facts
- Purpose
- Contour Rig Tools is a spline-based rigging system for Autodesk Maya.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Deformation
- Its volume-aware spline deformation supports bends and twists and is designed to avoid pinching and candy-wrappering.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Rigging workflow
- Contour joint chains generate splines, which act as single influences for the deformer and can reduce weight-painting needs.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Bones
- Contour Bones support built-in length and stretch, and bone CVs can be added as spline control points.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- IK and constraints
- Built-in IK includes stretch and anti-IK-pop features, and the tool includes constraints for driving transforms and relationships between Contour chains.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Python API
- A Python API can create, modify, and query Contour nodes, and accepts strings, pyNodes, and MObjects.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Game engine workflow
- Contour can drive conventional Maya joints for game engine export.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Maya support
- Version 1.0.12.1 supports Maya 2020 through Maya 2026, with stated exclusions for Maya 2023.0, 2023.1, and 2024.0.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The maker provides Windows, Linux, and macOS downloads and says the supported Maya versions run on those systems.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- License requirement
- Paid licenses are only needed to create or modify Contour rigs; animating or rendering with them is free.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- License connectivity
- Node-locked licenses require internet access for activation and intermittent access afterward; the stated offline grace period is currently seven days.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to email [email protected] for Contour Rig Tools support.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Known caveat
- The maker reports issues affecting Contour rigs when Maya Cached Playback is enabled and points users to manual caveats and workarounds.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes Contour as a rigging tool for animation production, with workflows intended to reduce character-rigging complexity for technical directors.notionalpipe.com · 4 Oct 2026
Best Contour Rig Tools alternatives
See all 12 All accessCh 01 Houdini Free planWindowsMac from $7.92/mo7.5 All accessCh 03 Mixos Mold Free planAndroidiOS from $8.99/mo7.4 All accessCh 04 Mesh2Motion Free planLinuxMac Free to start7.1 All accessCh 05 dpAutoRigSystem Free planLinuxMac Free to start6.9 All accessCh 06 MakeHuman Free planLinuxMac Free to start6.8 All accessCh 07 mGear Framework Free planLinuxMac Free to start6.8
Where it ranks on Specifiction
- Best 3D Rigging Software in 2026#2 of 26
Is Contour Rig Tools yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- notionalpipe.com· checked 4 Oct 2026
- notionalpipe.com/faq/· checked 4 Oct 2026
- notionalpipe.com/software/· checked 4 Oct 2026