Auto-Rig Pro

What Auto-Rig Pro is

Auto-Rig Pro is a Python addon for Blender that creates character rigs and exports them to game engines. Its tools include a bone picker, facial setup, IK-FK snapping, secondary bones, and shape key drivers. Optional Smart AI tools estimate skeleton keypoints; without them, keypoints must be placed manually. The maker says these AI processes run fully offline and do not collect, transmit, upload, or download data online. Export supports FBX and GLTF, with full support stated for Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. Humanoid skeletons target human characters, while Universal skeletons support other skeleton types. The addon runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the latest version is described as backward-compatible with Blender 2.93 through 5.0+. Optional AI files are about 400 MB, are not cross-platform, and are downloaded separately for distributions including Windows and Linux. Automatic binding depends on mesh topology and may need manual weight painting. The plan costs $50, paid once, with optional yearly updates renewal billed at $12.5; membership ends after 12 months.

Who it suits

It suits Blender users creating character rigs for game engines who need FBX or GLTF export and optional offline skeleton estimation.

Limits

There is no free plan. The optional AI files are about 400 MB, are distribution-specific rather than cross-platform, and automatic binding can require manual weight painting when mesh topology affects the result.

Getting started

1. Open the Auto-Rig Pro website
2. Use Blender on Linux, macOS, or Windows
3. Install the Auto-Rig Pro host plugin in Blender
4. Buy the Auto-Rig Pro plan
5. Download optional AI files separately for the relevant distribution
6. Create or place skeleton keypoints, then rig and export

Verdict

Auto-Rig Pro combines Blender rigging tools, optional offline keypoint estimation, and game-engine export. Mesh topology, separate AI files, and the paid license are practical considerations before adoption.