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Usage Guide

This section describes how to use the Addon.

The Addon creates a tab in the N Panel of the 3D Viewport.

N Panel

Quick Start

  1. Install the addon and find the "Laplacian Smooth Normals" tab in the N Panel
  2. Add objects to the list that you want to modify
  3. Click Add Normals Modifier to apply the effect
  4. Adjust parameters as needed and use Set Custom Normal from Attribute when satisfied

Custom Normals Preview

Objects in the list will have their Custom Normals previewed. Geometry Nodes cannot set Custom Normals until Blender 4.5. The Preview causes the Custom Normals to be set from the Attribute in the Evaluated version of the mesh in the dependency graph. They are not written to the actual Object until Set Custom Normal from Attribute is used.

The Preview Custom Normals toggle allows you to disable (or enable) previewing the custom normals in the viewport.

Previewing in Edit Mode

Previewing Custom Normals in Edit Mode is currently not supported. The Custom Normals are set on the evaluated version of the mesh using a custom attribute set by the node group. This attribute is not available in Edit Mode. This means that the Custom Normals will not be visible in Edit Mode, but they will be visible in Object Mode and when rendering.

Object List

  • Adding objects
  • Create a slot with the + button
  • Click into the slot and select from the dropdown list
  • Or use the eyedropper to select objects in the viewport/outliner
  • Managing objects:
  • The objects list is saved with your Blender file
  • 'Add Normals Modifier' adds a Geometry Nodes modifier to selected objects
  • The addon automatically appends the required nodegroup if needed
  • Removing objects:
  • Remove an object from a slot or delete the slot with - button
  • This removes the modifier from the object (future update will make this optional)

Set Custom Normal from Attribute

This button becomes active once you add a modifier to the mesh.

It writes the Normals to the original Object from the Evaluated Object.

This operation will fail if the meshes do not match, such as if there are modifiers that change the geometry. This is the same behavior as applying any other modifier and can be fixed by temporarily disabling the other modifiers or applying them. However, it will not fail if there are Shape Keys, making this more convenient than the usual method of applying modifiers.

Advanced Options

These settings are available in the advanced options dropdown. They are not necessary for most users, but can be useful in some situations.

Delete Modifier on Remove

Removes the modifier from the object when the object is removed from the list. This is useful for keeping the modifier stack clean and avoiding confusion with other modifiers.

Remove Modifier after Setting

Removes the modifier from the object after the Custom Normals are set.

Manage Subsurf/Solidify on Set

This option will temporarily disable the Subdivision Surface and Solidify modifiers on the object when setting the Custom Normals. This is useful for avoiding issues with the geometry when setting the normals.