SHAPES is now distributed on a maintenance subscription basis. Read the full statement
Blend Shape Editor for Autodesk Maya
Maximize your
blend shape
workflow
A complete toolset for creating, editing, and managing blend shapes in Maya. Built on standard Maya functionality, with no restrictions on how or where you use your rigs.
Unified Toolset
A complete blend shape toolset with a unified workflow for creating and editing blend shape targets and their dependencies, designed to streamline character articulation.
Artist Focused
Inspired by industry professionals and crafted with artists in mind, SHAPES delivers quick results and easily manageable setups, perfect for meeting the demands of today's complex projects.
Production Proven
Trusted by a wide range of studios for games, feature films, and commercials. SHAPES has also become the tool of choice for many computer art schools and universities worldwide.
The Toolset
Standard Maya technology.
Extraordinary results.
At the heart of SHAPES is a commitment to working entirely within Maya's native architecture. Every tool builds on standard Maya functionality - no black boxes, no proprietary formats, no hidden dependencies. The result is a complete blend shape workflow that stays fully portable across Maya versions and studio pipelines.
SHAPES handles the technical complexity of blend shape authoring so you can focus on the creative work: sculpting, refining, and organizing shapes with minimal friction. From a single corrective to hundreds of facial targets, the workflow scales with your project.
Beyond the core editor, the SHAPES collection includes SHAPESBrush for sculpting, weightDriver for RBF-driven shape blending, RampWeights for weight splitting, and WeightsServer for weight control. Each is independently available, so studios can deploy only what their pipeline requires.
Maya-native foundation
Every setup SHAPES creates is compatible across Maya versions. No black boxes, no proprietary formats - just standard Maya nodes you can inspect and modify.
License-free at runtime
SHAPES is an authoring tool. Your rigs play back and render on any machine with a standard Maya installation, with no license required.
Optional MIT-licensed nodes
Non-standard Maya nodes are entirely optional, open-sourced under the MIT License, and usable on external systems without restriction.
Drag-and-drop installation
All plug-ins install via a single drag-and-drop Python installer that handles all necessary modules automatically.
Key Features
A complete workflow,
from sculpt to rig.
Six core capabilities covering every stage of blend shape authoring, built to reduce manual work at each step.
01
Sculpt everywhere
Sculpt your shapes using the SHAPES Brush, Maya's native brushes, or send your mesh to Mudbox with a single click. The workflow adapts to how you like to work.
02
Combos
Quickly create and fine-tune combination shapes, corrective shapes, and drivers, giving you complete control over your deformations with minimal manual node work.
03
Weight maps
Create and edit weight maps to instantly split a single shape into multiple targets. Save them for reuse and mirror them across the rig with ease.
04
Organise
Boost your efficiency by organizing and grouping target shapes. With SHAPES, managing and locating hundreds of blend shapes becomes effortless.
05
Shape driver
SHAPES handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Edit your shape targets through the interface while SHAPES manages the nodes and driven keys for you.
06
Rebuild
Export entire corrective configurations and transfer them independently of topology. Invaluable when rebuilding setups after a rig or model change.
And more
Built for complex projects
and large productions.
Beyond the core workflow, SHAPES includes a broad set of tools for every stage of production-scale character work.
- One-click shape creation
- Symmetry mapping for fast mirroring
- Shape organisation and filtering
- Shape import and export
- Editing in Maya and Mudbox
- Brush tool for extended sculpting functions
- Easy weight map editing
- Weight map export, import and mirroring
- Weight map to freeze brush conversion
- Weight map controllers for weight animation
- Quick setup of driving relationships
- Interactive editing of shape drivers
- Non-destructive removal of drivers
- Region maps for splitting target shapes
- Driven sets for non-blend shape workflows
- Easy access blend shape animation and shot fix
- Blend shape combos with multi-level propagation
- Setup rebuilding and transfer
- Raw blend shape data export
- Cleanup tools
- RBF-driven shape blending via weightDriver
- Weight splitting via RampWeights node
Current Version
What's new in SHAPES 5.13
New licensing model
SHAPES is now distributed on a maintenance subscription basis. Each new Maya version requires a recompile and continued development work - a cost that a one-time license can no longer sustainably cover. Every version you download includes a discount code for the next release, reducing future upgrades to a small maintenance fee.
If you hold an existing SHAPES license, you are entitled to a free update to version 5.13. Use the Update License button to verify your license and receive your discount code.
weightDriver node updated to v5
The weightDriver node has been updated to version 5, combining the best features from earlier versions while maintaining compatibility with existing scenes. Several new attributes have been added to the RBF solver, including options to enable or mute individual drivers and poses, normalize outputs, and control regularization. Please check your results after upgrading, as the interpolation behavior has changed between versions.
For a full list of changes, see the Recent Changes page.
Maya Compatibility
Platform Compatibility
Pricing
Choose your license
All licenses include the complete SHAPES toolset with no feature restrictions. Each purchase includes a discount code toward the next version.
Private / Educational
- Students and educational facilities
- Private, non-commercial use
- No feature restriction
- Full support
Commercial
- Commercial projects of any scale
- Games, film, and advertising
- Fully featured
- Full support
Private / Educational
SHAPES is available at a reduced rate for individual artists and students working outside of a commercial context. Whether you are learning the craft at school or creating personal projects, this license gives you full access to the toolset at a price that reflects your use case.
Commercial
The commercial license covers professional use in any production environment, including games, film, and advertising. It is designed for studios and freelancers working on client projects, giving you the full SHAPES toolset with the reliability and support that production work demands.
Learning & Support
Everything you need
to get started.
Comprehensive resources covering every aspect of SHAPES, from installation through advanced workflows.
Video Documentation
Comprehensive video documentation covering every aspect of SHAPES, with a clear learning path to get you started right away.
Visit docs →
FAQ
Quick answers to the most common questions. Check here first - your question may already be covered.
Browse FAQ →
Recent Changes
Stay on top of new features, fixes, and important updates with each release. Recommended reading before upgrading.
View changelog →
Ask us
If you have any questions or run into problems while using SHAPES, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to get in touch.
Contact us →