API

Class naming conventions in Blender 2.8 Python API

Nikita
8 Comments / Blender 3D / /

In Blender 2.8 API the requirements for the class and their identifiers naming are becoming tougher. The class name must match the following convention:

Where the {SEPARATOR} is two letters denoting the class belonging to a certain type (from which type the class is inherited):

  • HT – Header
  • MT – Menu
  • OT – Operator
  • PT – Panel
  • UL – UI list

The class identifier “bl_idname” mast match the class name.

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Changes in add-ons registration through the API in Blender 2.8

Nikita

Add-on registration and removing were made with the “Window manager” (wm) in Blender 2.7 Python API:

In Blender 2.8 API add-on operators moved to the “preferences”:

 

3D Cursor location in Blender 2.8 Python API

Nikita

3D-cursor location property

in Blender 2.8 API moved to “cursor” object

When trying to get the cursor location through the “context.scene.cursor_location” Blender throws an error:

‘Scene’ object has no attribute ‘cursor_location’

Add-on preferences panel

Nikita
4 Comments / Blender 3D / /

When developing add-ons it is often necessary to give an ability to set a number of parameters that affect the whole add-on work to the user. For example, the user can specify a directory for saving/loading files, set some default variables or switch between add-on modes. Of course, the interface for setting such parameters can be placed in the add-on panel, but it is better to place it in a separate add-on preferences panel, which is located in the “Preferences” window under the add-on installation panel.

The main advantage of the add-on preferences is that they don’t reset when Blender restarts. The user does not need to configure the add-on preferences each time, it’s enough to set the necessary parameters once, personalizing the add-on for convenient work.

Let’s create an add-on and define a parameter, placing it in the add-on preferences panel.

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Matrix, vector and quaternion multiplication in Blender 2.8 Python API

Nikita

In Blender 2.7 the “*” (star) operator is used in the matrix, vector, and quaternion multiplication. In Blender 2.8 it is replaced with the “@” (at) operator.

If the “*” operator is used in vector, matrix or quaternion multiplication in Blender 2.8 it throws an error:

Element-wise multiplication: not supported between ‘Matrix’ and ‘Matrix’ types

Proper use of the “@” operator:

 

Accessing the pivot point type in Blender 2.8 Python API

Nikita

The “pivot_point” property from Blender 2.7

in Blender 2.8 API moved to:

 

Changing the current coordinate system in Blender Python API

Nikita

In Blender 2.7 the current coordinate system could be changed through the

property. In Blender 2.8 coordinate system access moved to the scene collection of “TransformOrientatiosSlots” objects. To get or set the current coordinate system the “transform_orientation_slots” collection is used.

How to set object (mesh) to active in Blender 2.8 Python API

Nikita

To set mesh (object) as active in Blender 2.8 Python API the “context.view_layer” is used instead of “context.scene”.

When trying to make object active with “bpy.context.scene.objects.active” Blender throws an error:

AttributeError: bpy_prop_collection: attribute “active” not found

To make object active in Blender 2.8 use the following code: