Draw Lightning Generators

"This tool generates Lightning from curves and meshes with full artistic control."

There are three lightning generators: (New v2.1)

1. Curve Lightning Generator: It generates 2D/3D lightning from a curve with multiple splines.
2. Surface Lightning Generator: It generates lightning on a mesh surface or objects. Lightning can be controlled with a curve with multiple splines.
3. Volume Lightning Generator: It generates lightning in the volume (also near the surface) of mesh or objects. Lightning can be controlled with a curve with multiple splines.

Features:

• Realistic Lightning: Craft authentic lightning effects effortlessly for a lifelike visual experience.
• Intuitive Control: Easily manage lightning using 3D space curves, mesh surface placement, or mesh volume placement.
• Curve Precision: Achieve precise control over lightning direction, spread, branches, and more using curves.
• Spline Lightning: Generate lightning for each individual curve spline, offering detailed and dynamic effects.
• Customizable Lightning Cores: Define the core(s) of your lightning effects, tailoring them to your creative vision.
• Curve-Following Flow: Ensure seamless and natural flow of lightning along curves for realistic animation.
• Interactive with Objects: Enhance visual dynamics by enabling lightning interaction with external objects, utilizing Attract-Objects and Repel-Objects settings.
• Lightning Curves: It can also generate lightning curves for other uses e.g., plants, ivy, etc.
  

Documentation

Detailed documentation of settings is included with the files.

A video demo is also available on my YouTube channel: 3D Singh VFX

Demo 1:

Demo 2:

Use

These are modifiers based on Geometry Nodes, providing direct integration with Lightning Generator files as Assets or through the Append Node-Setup/Object. Refer to the accompanying video tutorial for further guidance.

• Assets:
  • Unzip the files and specify these folders as asset libraries in Blender preferences.
  • In the Asset Browser, you'll find Node Setups: KS_Curve_Lightning_Modifier, KS_Surface_Lightning_Modifier, KS_Volume_Lightning_Modifier, and Objects: KS_Curve_Lightning_Object, KS_Surface_Lightning_Object, and KS_Volume_Lightning_Object.
• Append:
  • Use this modifier in different files by appending the following Node Setups: KS_Curve_Lightning_Modifier, KS_Surface_Lightning_Modifier, KS_Volume_Lightning_Modifier, and Objects: KS_Curve_Lightning_Object, KS_Surface_Lightning_Object, and KS_Volume_Lightning_Object.
  • Alternatively, append the Collection (ensure the instanced option is disabled): Lightning_Setup.
    

About

These LIGHTNING modifiers are made with geometry nodes and can be used in Blender 3.3-5.0.

License

You can use this tool in any of your projects (non-commercial or commercial).

You may not redistribute the geometry node group itself, for free or commercially.

Happy Noding... :)

Kuldeep Singh (3D Singh VFX)

Query / Support

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Instagram

Updates

24/11/2025:

Release of v2.1 Lightning Generators for Blender 4.5, and 5.0.

21/03/2025:

Release of v2.1 Lightning Generators for Blender 4.4.

21/07/2024:

Release of v2.1 Lightning Generators for Blender 4.2.

19/03/2024:

Release of v2.1 Lightning Generators for Blender 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.0, and 4.1.

• Added Lightning Animation Mode: animate single or multiple strikes with a loop.
• Added Lightning Emission shader with gradient option for fade animation.
• Added Gradient attribute.
• Added Lightning Origin option for Surface and Volume Lightning Generators.
• Added Remove Doubles option for efficiency and lightweight mesh.
• Improved the Spline's Endpoint branch position.
• Fixed Instances-based generated curves as input.
• Fixed Lightning Base Mesh.

24/11/2023:

Release of v2.0 Lightning Generators for Blender 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and 4.0.

• Streamlined all inputs for a better user experience.
• Renamed the inputs (especially lightning branch settings) for more clarity and artist-friendly.
• Separate the material settings.
• It generates lightning curves that can be used for other cases (e.g. plants, ivy).
• Updated the documentation file.

01/07/2023:

Release of v1.6 Lightning Generators for Blender 3.6.

06/04/2023:

Release of v1.6 Lightning Generators for Blender 3.5.

• Streamlined all inputs for better user experiences.
  

06/03/2023:

Release of v1.6 Lightning Generators (video).

• Added Volume Lightning Generator, which generates the Lightning inside the Object(s) volume.
  

28/01/2023:

• Improved the naming and marked the Lightning Node-Setup and Lightning Object as Assets, which makes them easy to use in different files.
  

31/10/2022:

Release of v1.5 Lightning Generators (video).

• Feature to add Branch/Core Branch for curve spline's end point of input curve.
• It helps to create the anchored lightning effect.
  

06/10/2022:

Release of v1.4 Lightning Generators (video).

• Added feature to highlight the longest branch for the core of the Lightning.
• It is also possible to make multi-cores of the Lightning.

18/09/2022:

Release of v1.3 Lightning Generators (video).

• Improved and Updated the Lightning Branch Settings.
• Added Flow along the curve feature.
• Added Trim lightning with Mesh Objects feature.
• Added new Noise scale for Branch and Main Branch.
• Now, it is possible to specify from where the branch splits start with Spline Start Factor.
• It is also possible to limit branches within a distance from a curve.
• Simplified the Curve Setting for the Surface Lightning Generator.
• Grow Branches near to Curve, and Taper Growth along the Curve settings are removed.
• Grow Distance from the Curve is renamed Branches Distance from the Curve, and Taper Growth Factor is renamed Branches Spline Start Factor. These settings are now in Lightning Branch Settings.
• Fix Lightning Color for Cycles Render Engine.

11/09/2022:

Release of v1.2 Lightning Generators (video).

• Improved the Seed for both the lightning generators.
• Now you can control surface lightning with object(s) attributes, e.g., weight, color, etc.

09/09/2022:

Release of v1.1 Lightning Generators.