For those who don’t know the tool: Kiri Engine is a photogrammetry app that turns real-world captures into 3D models, targeting artists in VFX, games, and visualisation. Its ecosystem now extends into Blender with a set of free add-ons designed for environment work. Mesh Wrap is the latest entry in this toolkit, joining other utility plug-ins for scan preparation and scene layout.

A Free Add-on for Wrapping 3D Terrain Scans

Kiri Engine has released Mesh Wrap, a free add-on for Blender designed to simplify how artists integrate terrain scans into base meshes. Unlike Blender’s default shrinkwrap modifier, Mesh Wrap is built specifically for photogrammetry-based environments. It projects surface-scanned meshes, such as rock faces or terrain tiles, onto clean base geometry while preserving scan detail and alignment.

The add-on supports Blender 4.5 and newer and is available for free download via a Kiri Engine account. It is intended for terrain and surface data, not for closed or solid meshes.

Two Workflows: Planar and Scatter

Mesh Wrap provides two distinct workflows. Planar Wrap handles the projection of a single mesh onto a base surface. Scatter Wrap distributes and wraps multiple scan meshes across a terrain, enabling fast environment coverage without manual placement. Both tools rely on a ray-casting projection system, with direction controls for world or object axes. A visible gizmo helps users verify projection direction and adjust wrapping behaviour. Misaligned objects trigger a “surface not found” warning, an indicator of an incorrect projection axis or displaced origin.

Mesh Preparation Tools

Before wrapping, the add-on offers mesh-preparation utilities to correct rotation, fix skewed origins, and align object pivots. The Auto Rotate feature attempts planar alignment, while origin controls allow setting to the lowest, highest, or median point of the mesh. These adjustments directly influence how accurately the scan conforms to the target surface.

Precision Controls and Cleanup

Mesh Wrap introduces displacement-strength adjustments, overlap handling, and boundary-snap features. These tools refine how the wrapped scan adheres to the base terrain and resolve clipping or intersecting faces. The Overlap Cleanup menu includes modes to remove or smooth intersecting faces and distance-based masking to recover deleted geometry. The Snap Boundary to Surface option ensures that edge vertices align seamlessly with the target mesh, creating clean joins between tiles or blended terrain segments.

Scatter Workflows and Performance

For larger environments, the Scatter Wrap workflow distributes multiple terrain scans across a defined surface. Users can select a single mesh or a collection and enable automatic Decimate modifiers to lower polygon counts. Scatter methods include Grid (planar distribution) and Normal-Aligned (surface-conforming), both offering controls for density, scale, and scatter seed randomisation.

Performance optimisation is a recurring theme. Kiri advises scattering only within the camera’s field of view and applying modifiers once layouts are final. Since all scattered instances are “realised” geometry, high-poly scenes can quickly affect viewport responsiveness. Applying and cleaning geometry after wrapping is recommended.

Practical Notes

The add-on’s defaults are tuned for planar, Z-axis-oriented wrapping. Artists can switch projection axes for vertical surfaces, such as cliffs or walls. Decimation ratios are adjustable per object, and modifiers can be baked for performance. A small “tick” icon applies modifiers directly from the panel.

Availability and Requirements

Mesh Wrap is free for all Blender users with a Kiri Engine account. It installs through Blender’s standard add-on interface. Documentation and video guides are available on Kiri Engine’s YouTube channel. As with any new production tool, artists should evaluate stability and compatibility before deploying it in critical pipelines.

The post Terrain Wrapping Made Easy: Kiri Engine’s Free Blender Add-on first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.