Direct the camera
Create shots, aim targets, set timing, choose the lens and shape camera movement.
» BLENDER EXTENSION
CineStage
Cinematic workflow tools for Blender
CineStage brings camera direction, lighting, rigging, animation, staging, atmosphere, final review and rendering into one connected Blender workflow.
BUILT FOR CINEMATIC STORYTELLING
Plan. Block. Shoot.
Keep the decisions that shape a shot close together instead of jumping between disconnected tools.
Build the performance
Rig characters, organize animation shots and animate characters or objects.
Shape the stage
Add lighting, backgrounds, atmosphere, custom media and controllable fog.
Review and deliver
Check every registered shot, preview the film and render the complete sequence.
» WORKFLOW
From idea to final render.
1
Build your stage
Prepare the scene with objects, backgrounds, atmosphere and custom media.
2
Create a cinematic shot
Create a camera or register an existing Blender camera as a CineStage Shot.
3
Rig and animate
Build the character rig, animate the performance and refine object motion.
4
Light and refine
Shape the lighting, camera feel, focus, timing and atmospheric depth.
5
Final Review
Confirm shot status and order, preview the sequence, then render the film.
CINESTAGE FEATURES
Twelve connected production systems.
01
Camera system
Camera Director
Direct the shot from one focused camera workflow. Create or register a camera, set the shot range, aim at a subject, refine framing, lens and depth of field, then add camera feel or a custom path.
02
Animation system
Animation Director
Organize character performances as clear animation shots. Pose and key controls, preserve the previous final pose, refine timing and keep every performance range readable.
03
Rigging system
Rig Agent
Analyze a humanoid character, review editable landmarks, build the fitted guide, generate a native control rig and validate deformation.
04
Lighting system
Lighting Director
Create editable lighting looks, make lights follow or aim at targets and assign the finished look to a CineStage Shot.
05
Motion system
Rig Motion
Import FBX motion, auto-detect mapping, retarget clips, build a sequence, add travel and clean supported contacts.
06
Object system
Object Animation
Animate props with transform keys, motion matching, loops, reverse, slow motion and editable rigid-body bakes.
07
Pose tool
IK / FK Control
Switch supported limbs between IK and FK, key the change and use native rig snapping when available.
08
Animation tool
Smart Pivot
Create and animate a temporary pivot, then bake the result back and remove the temporary setup.
09
Production tool
Attachment Manager
Attach props to an object, bone or character control, preserve position and key relationship changes.
10
Stage system
Background & Atmosphere
Add transparent backgrounds and atmosphere, plus custom images, GIFs or video with camera-aware controls.
11
Atmosphere tool
Scene Fog
Add controllable volumetric depth, fit the domain and tune density, height, color and quality.
12
Delivery system
Final Review
Review registered shots, set production status, confirm the film order, preview the sequence and render MP4 or PNG.
Everything around the shot.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Know exactly what you are getting.
Clear product information, included content and licensing details before you install CineStage.
Current release
2.x
Software
Blender
Compatibility
Blender 5.2 or newer
Package
Blender Extension ZIP
Code license
GNU GPL v3.0 or later
Creator
Abdullah Alnasrallah / DESIGNIC
Included with CineStage
- Camera, lighting, rigging, animation, stage and render systems.
- Final Review with ordered film preview and output.
- Original background and atmosphere assets.
- Custom image, GIF and video support.
- Project checks, workflow utilities and complete online documentation.
Promotional scene content
Blender itself is not included. Third-party models, characters, props, textures or BlenderKit assets shown in promotional screenshots or videos are demonstration content only unless explicitly listed as bundled CineStage content.
GETTING STARTED
Install. Open. Start directing.
CineStage uses Blender's extension package workflow and keeps its main tools inside the 3D Viewport sidebar.
Installation
- Download the CineStage ZIP.
- Open Blender Preferences and choose Install from Disk.
- Select the ZIP and enable CineStage.
- Open the 3D Viewport N-panel and choose CineStage.
Quick start
- Build the stage and create or register a camera shot.
- Rig or animate the character and scene objects.
- Create the lighting and atmosphere.
- Open Final Review, confirm the order and render the film.
More workflow tools included
Quick ToolsSelected Key TimingAnimation LibraryTimeline DisplayRender QueueProject HealthComfyUI StudioCineStage Settings
DOCUMENTATION
Core tools, explained.
A practical overview of what each CineStage area is for and where it fits into the workflow.
Camera Director
Create or register a CineStage Shot, assign a target and control timing, movement, framing, lens, focus and camera feel from one place.
Existing Blender cameras can be used, but they must first be registered as CineStage Shots when they need to appear in Final Review and the film render workflow.
Animation Director
Organize character performances as readable Animation Shots, pose and key controls, preserve continuity and refine timing.
Work with normal Blender keys while CineStage manages shot ranges, ordering, pose continuity and focused timing controls.
Rig Agent
Analyze a humanoid character, review landmarks, build the fitted guide and generate a native control rig.
The proposed body and finger points remain editable before building, supporting A-poses, T-poses and characters made from multiple mesh parts.
Rig Motion
Import and retarget motion, build a sequence, add travel and clean supported contacts.
Auto-detect mapping helps prepare imported FBX motion, while sequence tools place multiple clips in a controlled timeline workflow.
Lighting Director
Build editable lighting looks, aim or follow targets and assign the result to CineStage Shots.
Lights can follow objects or cameras, aim at targets and combine follow-and-aim behavior while remaining editable Blender lights.
Object Animation
Key props and objects, match motion, create loops, reverse ranges, slow motion and bake editable rigid-body results.
Use it for non-character movement without leaving the CineStage panel or replacing Blender’s native animation data.
IK / FK Control
Switch supported limbs between IK and FK, key the change and use native rig snapping when available.
Apply the switch on the current frame, an active animation shot or a chosen range according to the controls exposed by the rig.
Smart Pivot
Create a temporary animation pivot, animate it, then bake the result back and remove the temporary setup.
Place the pivot at an active bone or the 3D Cursor, create the adjustment and finish with Bake & Remove Pivot.
Attachment Manager
Attach props to objects, bones or character controls while preserving position and keying relationship changes.
It supports animated hand-offs and parent changes without forcing the prop to jump when the relationship changes.
Background & Atmosphere
Add original backgrounds and atmosphere cards or use custom images, GIFs and video with camera-aware controls.
Adjust placement, scale, opacity and brightness, then use Face Camera or Follow Camera when the selected media should react to the shot.
Scene Fog
Create controllable volumetric depth and refine density, height, color and quality without rebuilding the scene.
The fog setup can be enabled, disabled and refined repeatedly, making visual comparison possible without deleting the effect.
Final Review
Review registered camera shots, confirm status and order, preview the sequence and render the completed film.
Final Review intentionally reads CineStage Shots—not every unregistered Blender camera—and can deliver MP4 or PNG sequence output.
LICENSING & CONTENT
Clear rights for code, assets and demo media.
Add-on code
CineStage Python source code is distributed under GNU GPL v3.0 or later, consistent with Blender extension licensing requirements.
Bundled CineStage visual assets
Original bundled visuals may be used in personal or commercial Blender projects and rendered end products. The standalone asset files may not be redistributed or resold as an asset pack or competing add-on.
Demo and third-party content
Promotional examples may use BlenderKit or other third-party assets. Those demonstration assets are not redistributed with CineStage unless explicitly identified as included content.
FAQ
Before you start.
Is CineStage a standalone application?
No. CineStage is an extension that runs inside Blender and adds its workflow to the Blender interface.
Which Blender versions are supported?
The current CineStage release targets Blender 5.2 or newer. Check the software-version field on the product listing before installing a newer release.
Can I use CineStage with my own rigs?
Yes. Exact IK/FK behavior depends on how the rig exposes its controls and switching system.
Can I use my own images or video?
Yes. Custom Media supports common image formats, GIF and video.
Does Final Review use any Blender camera?
Final Review works with cameras registered as CineStage Shots. Create a shot or register an existing Blender camera before reviewing or rendering it there.
Are promotional models included?
No. Only content explicitly listed as included is part of the package.
Does CineStage require internet while I work?
The installed core tools and bundled content work locally. Internet is used for downloading, updates and online support.
Where do I get support and updates?
Support and release updates are provided through the CineStage product listing and DESIGNIC support channels.
SUPPORT & UPDATES
Put the shot first.
CineStage is maintained by DESIGNIC with product support, documentation and release updates for customers.