Mantis Rigging Nodes is a free add-on for Blender that introduces a node-based workflow for character rigging in contrast to traditional manual rigging methods.
It is somewhat similar to creating a rig using Python code… but using a node graph rather than code.
Similar to other automatic rigging software like Rigify and Cloud Rig, Mantis can use a meta rig as a blueprint. The meta rig defines the placement of deform bones, which Mantis then uses to generate the functional rig with all its necessary mechanisms and extra bones.
It’s imporant to note that by default Mantis only offers raw finctionality, meaning that it is up to the user to create the rig they desire using base nodes. So in its raw form it is not exactly an “easy” auto-rigger like Rigify.
However, once a graph has been created it can be shared with others. 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 advnaced nodes) from the links below.
