Alex Sokol Released CatPin Add-On for Blender
The new tool simplifies 3D model preparation by allowing users to add pins and sockets for printing.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Software
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Developer Alex Sokol has launched CatPin, a new add-on for Blender designed to streamline the preparation of 3D models for FDM and resin printing. The tool allows users to split complex models into interconnected parts using a pin-and-socket system.
Why it matters
Preparing intricate 3D files for physical printing often requires complex manual edits, which CatPin aims to simplify. By automating the creation of assembly joints, the software helps makers ensure their printed components fit together accurately.
CatPin supports Blender software versions 4.2 through 5.2. It features tools for line and point-based manual cutting as well as a polygonal cut function to remove specific mesh areas.
The players
Alex Sokol
He is the software developer who created and released the CatPin add-on for Blender.
Blender
It is an open-source 3D creation suite that supports a vast range of community-developed add-ons and plugins.
The details
The add-on maintains the integrity of the original mesh during the export process while offering specialized tools for creating structural joints. Users can define cuts through manual line placement or by selecting polygonal regions to carve out sections of the model.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The tool was released to the public.
The Tech Race
This add-on reflects a broader trend of leveraging the Blender Python API to create highly specialized workflows for the additive manufacturing industry. Such tools are actively replacing manual mesh modification tasks with automated, printer-specific processing modules.
Users can now significantly reduce the time spent manually preparing models for assembly in FDM or resin printers. The software allows for cleaner, more precise physical joints by automating the pin-and-socket creation process directly within the modeling interface.
The takeaway
Using specialized tools like CatPin can bridge the gap between digital 3D sculpting and high-quality physical output. Designers should consider integrating such automated joint-creation workflows early in their prototyping phase to save time during final assembly.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates in the Software ecosystem for 3D modeling and design.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 80.
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