Im3dJoe, also known as Maya Polygon Lab, has released InstantQPatch for Autodesk Maya. The tool is a free utility script that provides an automated solution for patching holes in polygonal meshes with quad-based geometry that follows the curvature of the surrounding mesh. According to the Gumroad product page, InstantQPatch is designed to operate with minimal user input—patches are created with a single click, aiming to save time on repetitive modeling cleanup.
What sets InstantQPatch apart is its focus on producing all-quad topology and mimicking the flow and curvature of adjacent geometry—a process more akin to NURBS continuity, but for polygon meshes. The result is a surface patch that fits seamlessly and is ready for downstream tasks such as subdivision, deformation, and UV unwrapping. For artists working in VFX, game development, or any field demanding precise mesh continuity, the tool offers practical utility with very little setup.
Free for Commercial and Personal Use—But Not for Code Sharing
InstantQPatch is available on a pay-what-you-want basis (base price AUD $0) via Gumroad. Use in personal, commercial, freelance, or studio work is explicitly permitted, with no restrictions on project type. However, the developer enforces strict limits on the script’s distribution and modification: users are not allowed to redistribute, share, modify, or repurpose the source code for derivative tools or projects. Bug reports are accepted via direct email to the author, as listed on the product page.
How It Works: Quad-Only Topology and Curvature Matching
Upon invocation, InstantQPatch generates a patch composed exclusively of quads, bridging the hole in a way that closely matches the surrounding surface curvature. The aim is to preserve mesh flow, minimize manual adjustment, and avoid the geometry artifacts associated with planar or n-gon fills. This approach is especially valuable in situations where topology regularity and clean edge loops are essential, such as character modeling, subdivision prep, or baking workflows.
Community Response: Five-Star Ratings
As of this writing, InstantQPatch holds a five-star average from seven reviewers on Gumroad, indicating a positive initial reception (It is a very new tool, so….). Feedback highlights the tool’s effectiveness at saving time and maintaining high-quality mesh topology in daily modeling and asset cleanup.
Cautions for Production Integration
Despite its streamlined approach, InstantQPatch should be tested on a range of production scenarios before being adopted into critical pipelines. Irregular hole shapes, dense mesh areas, and non-planar boundaries may still require manual intervention. As with all new utilities, teams are advised to validate outputs and watch for topology issues that could disrupt subsequent pipeline steps.
Remember: All new tools—including InstantQPatch—should be tested on representative assets before they see use in production environments.
Im3dJoe (Gumroad profile, opens in new tab)
