Installation

1. Go to Edit -> Preferences.
2. Select the Add-ons tab on the left if it is not already.
3. Select the Install... button along the top.
4. This will open a file dialog where you should navigate to where you have downloaded the "Fit Lattice" zip file.  This file should not be unzipped.
5. Then, click the "Install add-on from file" button.
6. Search for the add-on by typing "Fit Lattice" in the search box if it does not already appear.
7. Make sure the checkbox next to the Add-on (Mesh: Fit Lattice) is ticked.

For fit_lattice_presets.zip:

This is an optional step if you wish to load some pre-configured presets.

Depending on your operating system, navigate to one of the following directories.

• If you are on Linux, navigate to ~/.config/blender
• On a Mac: /Users//Library/Application Support/Blender/
• If you are on Windows, navigate to: %APPDATA%\Blender Foundation\Blender

Once there you should see folder(s) corresponding to the version(s) you currently have, for instance the 2.92 folder.  Within that folder, go to scripts/presets/operator/ and create the folder mesh.fit_lattice. Unzip the contents of the .zip file to that location.

You should then be able to access a set of pre-configured presets when using the operator.  

IMPORTANT: When moving Blender versions, make sure you have backed up this directory as it contains any presets you have saved.

How it works

The add-on works out the size and position of the bounding box(es) of the object(s) you select and then creates a Blender lattice object that fits to that size.  It then adds a 'Lattice Modifier' to the original object (or objects), and then automatically links that modifier to the lattice object.

Use

Adding the Lattice:

Object Mode

1. Select the object or objects (by pressing shift + click) you want to fit the lattice around.
2. Go to Object -> Fit Lattice. You can also access the tool by pressing F3 and then starting to type Fit Lattice.
3. The lattice object should appear around the object(s), ready for editing by pressing the tab key.

Edit Mode

1. Enter edit mode (by selecting the object and pressing the Tab key) and select the faces/edges/vertices you with to manipulate.
2. Go to Vertex-> Fit Lattice. You can also access the tool by pressing F3 and then starting to type Fit Lattice.
3. The lattice object should appear around the object, ready for editing by pressing the tab key.

When the lattice object is first created, you can also configure the lattice object segments at the time through the side menu, described below.

Removing the Lattice:

To remove the Lattice including the associated modifier and vertex groups in one go:

1. Select the lattice you want to remove
2. Press F3 and search for the "Remove Fit Lattice" command.
3. The lattice should be removed along with the modifier and vertex group.

Options

On the side menu that appears in the viewport, you can also configure the lattice object being created by expanding the menu that appears:

Operator Presets

You can load, edit or save a selection of pre-prepared configurations.  Press the '+' and '-' keys to add or delete entries.

The presets contained in the fit_lattice_presets.zip file contain the following presets, although you can add more:

• 2x2x2: a lattice split into 2x2x2 segments.
• 3x3x3: a lattice split into 3x3x3 segments.
• 4x4x4: a lattice split into 3x3x3 segments.

U, V, W:

These settings control the the subdivisions of the lattice in the x, y and z direction.

You can change the parameters of the Lattice or the Lattice modifier after it has been created.  See the Blender documentation for Lattices and the Blender Lattice Modifier.

Rotation:

The Rotation parameter allows you to set a rotation for the lattice, which will then shrink to wrap around the boundary of the object or sub selection.

Any Questions?

Do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have a question, a new feature suggestion, or an image you'd like to share.  You can contact me through this website, my blog, or by my Twitter page.

Discord

Share your work and get support through the Configurate support channel here.