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SPECIFICTION
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Rigify

developer.blender.org

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Spec score 8.2 #5 of 27 in 3D Rigging Software

What it is

Rigify is a free Blender add-on that generates character armatures by assembling rig components from a metarig template. Users position the metarig bones to match a character and start generation through Blender’s Armature properties. The manual lists Basic Human, Basic Quadruped, Human, Cat, Wolf, Horse, and Shark metarigs. Bundled rig types cover spines, limbs, fingers, faces, and skin, while feature set packages can add custom rig classes. Generation duplicates the metarig, identifies needed rigs, creates instances, and runs their generation methods. The generated rig interface can switch visible bone collections, change custom properties, and convert between IK and FK. A user-provided Python text block can apply customizations after generation, allowing them to be repeated on regeneration. Rigify requires Blender and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It assumes one Blender unit equals one meter. The manual advises keeping the metarig, since removing it or substantially changing the generated rig can interfere with later feature updates or adaptation to breaking Blender changes.

Spec sheet

What it does
Rigify automatically builds character armatures from modular rig components arranged in a metarig template.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Purpose
Rigify is an auto-rigging add-on that creates an armature by combining rig components through a metarig template.Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
License
The Blender manual identifies Rigify as GPL, and the Extensions listing specifies GNU GPL version 2.0 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · extensions.blender.org
Maker
Rigify is maintained as part of the Blender project; the Blender Foundation describes itself as the organization managing Blender's public project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Animation controls
The generated rig UI can switch visible bone collections, change custom properties, and convert between IK and FK.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Bone collections
Generated rigs can hide and show bone collections through their rig controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Built-in metarigs
The manual lists Basic Human, Basic Quadruped, Human, Cat, Wolf, Horse and Shark metarigs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Bundling
Rigify is bundled with Blender rather than distributed as a separate commercial application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Compatibility limitation
The manual advises keeping the metarig, because removing it or substantially modifying the generated rig can prevent later feature updates or adaptation to breaking Blender changes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Custom rig classes
Developers can implement custom Rig classes in feature-set packages and register parameters and UI callbacks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Custom rigs
Users can add custom rig classes through feature set packages installed in the add-on settings.Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Customization
Rigify can run a user-provided Python text block after generation to apply customizations that remain repeatable after regeneration.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Documentation depth
Official documentation covers user basics, bone-positioning guides, generated features, customization, feature sets and developer APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Face support
The manual documents a modular face system and a legacy face-rig upgrade operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Feature sets
Third-party feature sets can add new metarigs and rig types and are installed from ZIP files through Rigify settings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Generated controls
Generated rigs provide control, mechanism and deformation bones and organize them with ORG, MCH and DEF naming conventions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Generated UI
Each generated rig receives a Python script that creates rig-specific panels, operators and custom-property controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Generator API
The Generator class duplicates metarigs, instantiates rigs, creates root controls and executes generation stages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
IK and FK
The generated rig includes controls for switching between IK and FK control types.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Independent repository popularity
That archived repository page shows 18 stars and 34 forks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Independent repository status
The public cessen/rigify repository is archived and read-only as of April 10, 2020.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Library linking
Rigify documentation includes a library-linking workflow for generated rigs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
License and project
Blender is free and open source software under the GNU General Public License and is coordinated by the Blender Foundation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Limit: complexity
The same user said Rigify felt overly complex for a simpler clothing-and-character workflow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: metarig dependency
The manual warns that deleting the metarig or heavily modifying the generated rig prevents easy adoption of later Rigify features and breaking-change updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Limit: scale assumption
Rigify assumes that one Blender unit represents one meter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Limit: weighting complexity
A Blender user reported that automatic weighting spread clothing across many spine, pelvis and thigh bones and required substantial manual correction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Maker founded
The Blender Foundation states that it was established in 2002.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Maker headquarters
The Blender Foundation lists Buikslotermeerplein 161, Amsterdam, Netherlands as its address.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Maker location and founding
The Blender Foundation lists its address in Amsterdam and identifies itself as the Blender Foundation (2002).Read 4 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Metarig workflow
Users add a predefined metarig, position its bones to match a character, and press Generate Rig.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Minimum Windows requirements
The current Blender requirements page lists Windows 8.1 64-bit, a four-core SSE4.2 CPU, 8 GB RAM and a 2 GB VRAM GPU as minimums.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Modular components
Rig types can represent structures such as arms, spines and fingers and can be combined in arbitrary configurations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Operating systems
Blender officially supports Windows, macOS and Linux, which are the host platforms for Rigify.Read 15 Oct 2026 · blender.org
Post-generation scripting
Rigify can run a custom Python text datablock after generation so user customizations can be reapplied.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Praise: learning resources
A commercial Rigify course page says its advanced modules teach dragon, ogre and custom face-rig workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · toshicg.gumroad.com
Praise: modularity
A Blender community respondent praised Rigify's modular parts for enabling customized human rigs and entirely new rigs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Predefined metarigs
The manual lists Basic Human, Basic Quadruped, Human, Cat, Wolf, Horse, and Shark metarigs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Python API
The API exposes generator, rig, bone, mechanism, naming and UI-script components for Python extensions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Rating on Gumroad course
The Rig Anything With Rigify course page shows 5 out of 5 from 213 ratings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · toshicg.gumroad.com
Rig generation
Rig generation duplicates the metarig, identifies the required rigs, creates rig instances, and runs their generation methods.Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Rig hierarchy
Rig components are linked in parent-child relationships during generation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Rig types
Bundled rig types cover components such as spines, limbs, fingers, faces, and skin rigs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Scale assumption
Rigify assumes that one Blender unit corresponds to one meter.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Security reporting
Blender directs security issue reports to its security team and states that reports are answered within 14 days.Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Utility APIs
Mechanism utilities create custom properties, constraints and drivers, while bone utilities create, copy and parent bones.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org
Workflow
Users position metarig bones to match a character and generate the rig from Blender’s Armature properties.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org

Plans and prices

Free Free Bundled Blender add-on · no paid tiers stated Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.blender.org
Rigify Free Included as a Blender add-on; requires Blender Read 4 Oct 2026 · developer.blender.org

Every Rigify plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Includes human and animal metarig templates.
  • Supports custom rig classes through feature set packages.
  • Generated controls include IK/FK conversion.
  • Python text blocks can repeat customizations after regeneration.
  • Free and available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

  • Requires Blender.
  • Assumes one Blender unit represents one meter.
  • Removing the metarig can hinder later updates or adaptation.

Who it suits

Rigify suits Blender users who want to build character armatures from predefined or custom rig components. Its workflow assumes familiarity with positioning a metarig and working in Blender.

Verdict

Rigify offers a metarig-based workflow with bundled templates, customizable rig classes, and controls for animation setup. Keep the metarig and account for its scale assumption when building a character rig.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to RigifyAll alternatives →