Blender: Python Scripting

2h 2mIntermediate2016-09-15

Authors

Patrick W. Crawford

Digital Artist, Developer, Blender Enthusiast

Course details

Make Blender better by harnessing the power of Python. Whether you're an artist or a developer, scripting is a great selling point to add to your resume. Once you master the basics, you can automate time-consuming modeling and animation tasks, customize the Blender interface, or even package to share or sell your enhancements to other users. Patrick W. Crawford shows how to use Blender's built-in Python console window and the bpy library to create simple one-line scripts, create custom panels and menus, and build and package add-ons. These techniques will take your Blender skills to the next level and help you enter an exciting new world of Python programming.

Learning objectives
Controlling Blender with code
Exploring the bpy library
Creating Blender operators and properties
Writing scripts
Auto running scripts
Drawing interface elements such as panels and menus
Building a custom add-on

Skills covered

Blender3D AnimationRenderingPythonMotion Graphics and VFX3D ModelingVisualization and Real-TimeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and IllustrationProgramming LanguagesOpen SourceSoftware DevelopmentDeep Dive (X:Y)

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - What you should already know
03 - Using the exercise files

1. Controlling Blender through Code

04 - Set up Blender and the console window
05 - Use the Python console and script editor
06 - Importing and exploring bpy
07 - What's a Blender operator
08 - What's a Blender property
09 - Developer tooltips and the info window
10 - Diving further into context and data
11 - ✓Challenge - Create a simple script
12 - ✓Solution - Create a simple script

2. Create Blender Scripts

13 - Write scripts and use templates
14 - Great coders steal
15 - Auto running scripts
16 - How to use and avoid the text editor

3. Customize Blender Interfaces

17 - Panels and menus introduction
18 - Panel structure
19 - Draw elements
20 - Using the built-in templates, dissect example panel
21 - Append to existing panels
22 - Example menu structure
23 - ✓Challenge - Create a panel layout
24 - ✓Solution - Create a panel layout

4. Build Your Own Add-On

25 - What's an add-on
26 - What our add-on will do
27 - Building the add-on framework
28 - Creating an operator framework
29 - Creating redo-last properties
30 - Appending to a menu
31 - Fnishing and publishing your add-on
32 - ✓Challenge - Create another operator
33 - ✓Solution - Create another operator

Conclusion

34 - Next steps