Mantis Rigging Nodes is a free rigging add-on for Blender that introduces a node-based interface for generating character rigs. It’s like Geometry Nodes for Rigging.
It is also similar to creating a rig with Python but instead of lines of code we can use more intuitive and reusable nodes.
Similar to automatic rigging tools like Rigify and Auto-Rig Pro, Mantis can use a metarig as a blueprint. The metarig defines the placement of the main bones, which Mantis then uses to generate the animation rig with all of the controls and extra mechanism bones.
It’s important to note that by default Mantis only offers raw functionality, meaning that it is up to the user to create the rig using the provided nodes. So in its basic form it is NOT an “easy” auto-rigger like Rigify.
However, once a graph has been created it can be shared with others as a template. Because of that, Mantis can become an “easy rig generator” that anyone can use. An example of such pre-built nodes is already available. Check out the “Mantis Rigging Nodes Component Pack” (a paid set of advanced nodes) from the links below.
Mantis Rigging Nodes Main Site
Learn how to install the addon here:
Tutorial Playlist by the addon developer
Mantis Rigging Nodes Documentation
Mantis Rigging Nodes Discussion
Mantis Rigging Nodes Component Pack ($ PAID)
Mantis Rigging Nodes Patreon
While Mantis is free, you can support the development on Patreon
