Blender add-ons installation and uninstallation can be managed through the python API. Use the following commands in a script:
To deactivate the add-on:
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bpy.ops.wm.addon_disable(module = 'add-on name') |
To uninstall the add-on:
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bpy.ops.wm.addon_remove(module = 'add-on name') |
How to install and uninstall Blender add-on via python APIRead More »
New mesh Custom Property can be created through the Blender python API by executing the following code:
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bpy.data.objects['object_name']['property_name'] = property_value |
with:
After executing this command, the new property will be created and will be available in the Properties window – Object panel – Custom Properties sub-panel.
Like any object custom properties, the created property has a number of parameters that can be accessed by clicking the Edit button. These parameters can also be changed through the API.
Mesh Custom Properties editing through the Blender APIRead More »
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.
To clear compositing window (completely remove all nodes from it), run the following code:
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import bpy nodesField = bpy.context.scene.node_tree for currentNode in nodesField.nodes: nodesField.nodes.remove(currentNode) |
Sometimes when debugging scripts or add-ons, errors not only interrupt the code execution but also causes the complete closure of Blender together with its system console. This case its impossible to check errors and view errors messages.
To find a failure, Blender can be started from the command line interpreter cmd. In this case, Blender output log is redirected to the cmd window which, when the program falls due to errors, not closed. If Blender closes all error messages stay available to check in the cmd window.
To start Blender from a command line interpreter:
Part of the way contains spaces must be enclosed in double quotes – like “Programm Files” in this example.