Lazy Bones is an addon for Blender which takes any mesh and creates an Armature for it based on its shape.
The approach it applies is cool and original: it uses a Geometry Nodes simulation to compress the mesh down into edges, which it then converts into armature bones.
But after testing it thoroughly, the real question was: Is it actually practical?
…it depends ;)
The answer, as with many things in 3D, is "it depends".
- Simple Meshes: For a basic human character, it might actually be faster to place bones manually or use a tool like Rigify.
- Complex Meshes: Where Lazy Bones truly shines is with abstract shapes, complex branching structures, or organic models like trees. These are a nightmare to rig by hand, and this is where the addon saves hours of work.
The Core Workflow
The workflow generally follows two distinct stages: Mesh-to-Edge Simulation and Edge-to-Bone Conversion.
1. Mesh-to-Edge Simulation
This stage shrinks your mesh into simple edges.
- Scale Matters: The addon is optimized for meshes roughly 2 meters in size. If your simulation looks "wonky," try scaling your model up or down accordingly before starting.
- The Process: In Object Mode, right-click and select
Lazy Bones > Mesh to Edge Sim. - Refinement: Since this is a simulation, you can scrub through the timeline to find the frame where the "skeleton" looks best. Once satisfied, hit Apply Simulation in the N-panel.
2. Edge-to-Bone Conversion
Once you have your edges, you need to turn them into an actual Armature.
- 3D Cursor Position: The 3D cursor acts as the "root" for bone direction. Place it at the center of your mesh (such as the pelvis of a character or the base of a tree) so the bones branch out correctly.
- Conversion: In Edit Mode (Edge Selection), select all edges, right-click, and choose
Edge to Bone. - Cleanup: Use the Dissolve option to simplify the rig if it's too dense, and the Switch Direction tool if any bone chains are inverted.
Pro Example: Rigging a Tree
Rigging a tree manually can be challenging. With Lazy Bones, you can do it in under 10 minutes:
- Prepare the Mesh: ideally, the geometry has to be one connected mesh. Creating a copy of the model(s) and Voxel Remeshing them can be an efficient way to create a connected mesh.
- Simulate & Convert: Follow the steps above to generate the edges and bones.
- Automatic Parenting: For complex models like trees, the addon may create many separate armatures and the parenting may not be correct. Parent the bones manually or use the free Game Rig Tools addon with its "Proximity Parent" utility to automatically join and parent these chains based on distance.
CGDive’s Verdict
Lazy Bones isn't a "magic button" that replaces traditional rigging, but it is a powerful utility for specific, time-consuming tasks.