ClothFX

Blender Cloth Effects. Made simple & fast.

The ClothFX add-on simplifies cloth tearing within blender by providing you with a set of tools, which allow for instant, real-time cloth tearing simulations. Below you can see the different types of tears you can generate when using this tool:

A collider object will trigger the edge splitting of the pre-teared mesh. This can be done on contact, or using proximity mode, which will tear by distance, rather than mesh collision. Here are the Trigger options as follows:

Collider object options:

• Mesh Volume(enable on contact)
• Proximity(trigger object distance)
• Mesh+Proximity Volume(both)
• Particles(use trigger object particles to define tears)
• Collision settings(Outer/Inner)
• Stress Parameter(Enable Dynamics)

Fast simulation workflow.

With ClothFX, you don't need to pre-bake any simulation. Tearing is done in realtime, & baked afterwards.

Custom Tear Maps:

Art direction is key in the visual effects world. The most requested feature is now supported in ClothFX & it gives you full control over your cloth effects simulations.

Effects:

Features:

• Generated/Custom Tearing
• Make Collider(trigger object)
• Preview Tears in Viewport
• Irregular/Jagged Cuts
• Enable Subdivision
• Pinning Editor
• Effects tab: Particle Triggering/ Dynamic Inflate
• Baking

ClothFX Add-on Documentation

Version 4.6 for Blender 5.0+

ClothFX is a powerful Blender add-on designed to create realistic cloth tearing, inflation effects, and dynamic simulations.

It provides two main workflows:

• Generated tearing 
• Custom tearing 

Installation

1. Download the latest version(clothfx_v4_6.zip) from your Payhip order downloads
2. In Blender:

• Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install from disk
• Select the .zip file → Install Add-on

1. Enable ClothFX in the add-ons list.
2. Find the ClothFX panel in the Physics tab of the 3D Viewport sidebar (N-panel).

Quick Start

Cloth tearing is done in real-time during playback. It includes two modes for tearing apart your mesh:

Generated Tearing (Fast & Automatic)

1. Select your cloth mesh.
2. Press Generated button in the ClothFX panel.
3. Adjust Cut Count and Seed (in General tab) as well as other cloth settings
4. (Optional) Enable Jagged Edges and Edge Detail.
5. Add a collider object or make any object a collider. (Make Collider button)
6. Play the animation and rip apart mesh with collider.

Custom Tearing (Manual Control)

1. Select your cloth mesh.
2. Press Custom button.
3. Use Knife Tool (Pencil icon) to draw custom tearing map.
4. Add a collider object or make any object a collider. (Make Collider button)
5. Play the animation and rip apart mesh with collider.

Generated settings:

• Cut Count: How many tear pieces.
• Cut Seed: Randomize tear pattern.
• Jagged Edges: Enable irregular tear edges
• Edge Detail: Extra explode modifier for finer edge detail.

Custom settings:

• Knife Tool: Draw tears directly in Edit mode (LMB to start, SPACE to confirm map, ESC to exit).
• Pin Editor: Select vertices to pin → press TAB to confirm selection

Collider Objects:

• Add sphere/cube → enable Make Collider button.
• Set Proximity distance (how close to trigger tearing).
• Can use Volume Distance or Particle System as triggering source.

Effects:

ClothFX offers two powerful effects that make your cloth simulations more dynamic and interactive:

1. Particle Triggering (Self-Triggering Particles)
2. Dynamic Inflate (Explode/Popping Effect)

These features are accessible in the Effects section of the ClothFX panel.

1. Particle Triggering (Self-Triggering Tears)

Allows cloth to tear or react when particles emitted from the cloth itself come close enough (proximity-based trigger). Perfect for self-tearing effects.

How to Enable

1. In the Effects box → check Particle Triggering.

Settings:

SettingDescriptionParticle CountNumber of particles emitted (higher = denser trigger zone).Start / End FrameWhen particles start and stop emitting.Emit FromFace / Volume / EdgesProximityDistance at which particles trigger tearing.Smooth RadiusSoftens the trigger edge (higher = more gradual tearing).

Tips:

• Start with Proximity = 0.2–0.5 and adjust based on cloth scale.
• Use Smooth Radius to avoid sharp, unnatural tears.

2. Dynamic Inflate (Inflate & Explode Effect)

Creates an inflation → explosion effect, like a balloon or airbag popping.

How to Enable

1. In the Effects box → check Dynamic Inflate.

Settings:

SettingDescriptionPressurePressure count of the inflate system (higher = stronger pressure).FrameThe exact frame when the "tearing/explosion" happensStrengthForce field strength (higher = stronger explosion)DistanceAffects how much area is triggered.Start / End FrameWhen pressure will begin and stop emitting.LifetimePressure/Explosion durationSeedRandomize pressure emission pattern.

Baking & Caching

ButtonActionBakeBakes simulation at current frame.Clear BakeFree all bake caches.Animated BakeBake animation sequence (Start/End Frame)

Advanced Cloth Settings

CategoryPropertiesStiffnessTension, Compression, Shear, BendingDampingTension, Compression, Shear, BendingCollisionsSelf Collision, Distance, Friction, Impulse Clamp

Tips

• Frame should be set slightly before the cloth would naturally tear from pressure.
• Use Preview Tears to see the tearing pattern before baking.
• If the pop is too weak, increase Pressure and Strength together.