Active (selected) UV-Map:
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bpy.context.active_object.data.uv_layers.active |
Access to the active UV-Map by its name:
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bpy.context.active_object.data.uv_layers['UVMap'] |
In addition to common panels (N/T/Properties) and their sub-panels, to display the user interface elements while developing Blender add-ons you can also use pop-up panels appearing on the screen when a user presses a certain key combination or perform any action. The simplest example of such panels is the panel that appears when the f6 key is pressed immediately after adding an object (shift+a) to the scene.
Blender API provides developers the ability to create such panels for their add-ons. Let’s consider the creating of a pop-up panel as an example of the “Message box” window.
Creating pop-up panels with user UI in Blender add-onRead More »
How to access the active (selected) objects through the Blender Python API from scripts/add-ons:
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bpy.context.area.spaces.active |
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bpy.context.screen.scene |
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bpy.context.active_object |
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bpy.context.active_object.active_material.node_tree.nodes.active |
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bpy.context.scene.node_tree.nodes.active |
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bpy.context.area.spaces.active.text.as_string() |
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bpy.context.active_object.data.uv_layers.active |
Writing scripts in Blender we often need to know the full list of object properties to access them through the Blender API. Consider how we can get a list of available object methods and properties.
Storing data in a remote database has become common practice in the development of software products. Blender is no exception. Writing scripts and add-ons, the developer may need to access the database to retrieve from it or write to it the necessary information. MySQL today is one of the most common and widely available databases and is well suited for working with Blender.
The interaction between Blender and MySQL database through the Blender Python API is not difficult, but it needs some preparation before stating:
Sometimes when creating an animation it is necessary to perform some actions according to the timeline or, the same, to the current animation frame number. Binding animation to timeline frames in Blender is possible using the built-in Python API.
As an example, let’s make a simple animation which turns one of the letters of any text from lowercase to uppercase in series.
In the development of complex add-ons with large code volume storing all the code in a single file is inappropriate. When a single file contains logically unrelated classes, functions, and datasets, it is difficult to read, debug, find the necessary code pieces, reuse code. Such code layout is considered as very bad programming tone.
Blender Python supports modular system that allows subdividing logical code parts of the add-on into different files, and then connect them to use. Even if you have never thought about modules, creating scripts or add-ons, you have already used them – any code stored in the *.py file is a separate independent module. Just your addon consists of only one module. Complex add-ons may consist of several tens of modules.
Blender has the ability to limit the scope of rendering – outlining a region the special render border and checking the Border checkbox on the Render – Dimensions tab in Properties window. If such frame is set – Blender render only a limited area of the image.
There are two ways to set render border via the Blender API:
All user-defined classes (panels, operators), registered in Blender API, exists only during Blender runs. After program close they are deleted from memory. Therefore, if some variables are defined in user classes, all of them will be reset after Blender restart.
However, sometimes it is necessary to use in Blender add-on variables with values that not be lost in the process of program restarting. To retain variables values, it needs to wrap them into special class – property, and attach to any object whose properties are stored in * .blend file.
Creating Blender Add-ons variables with values saved in blend-filesRead More »
User defined operator classes, inherited from bpy.types.Operator, are static. Accordingly, only static variables can be defined in them.
Static variable sampleVar definition in SampleClass class:
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class SampleClass(bpy.types.Operator): bl_idname = "sample.sample_class" sampleVar = 5 def execute(self, context): print(self.sampleVar) self.__class__.sampleVar += 1 print(self.sampleVar) print(self.__class__.sampleVar) def sampleFunc(): SampleClass.sampleVar += 1 print(SampleClass.sampleVar) |