Scripting Blender

Export Models

python scripts/export-assets.py input/ output/

Blender Automation Workflow

graph TD
    A[Python Script] --> B{Blender API}
    B -->|Scene| C[Create Objects]
    B -->|Material| D[Apply Shaders]
    B -->|Render| E[Generate Images]
    B -->|Export| F[Save Assets]

    C --> G[Mesh Data]
    D --> G
    G --> H[Complete Scene]

    H --> E
    H --> F

    E --> I[PNG/EXR Output]
    F --> J[FBX/GLTF Output]

    style I fill:#99ff99
    style J fill:#99ff99

Setup and Basic Usage

Installation

# Blender comes with Python bundled
# Access via blender executable

# Windows
C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\blender.exe

# Mac
/Applications/Blender.app/Contents/MacOS/Blender

# Linux
/usr/bin/blender

Running Scripts

# Interactive mode
blender --python script.py

# Background mode (no GUI)
blender --background --python script.py

# With .blend file
blender myfile.blend --background --python script.py

Basic Script Structure

import bpy
import math

# Clear existing scene
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='SELECT')
bpy.ops.object.delete()

# Create object
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cube_add(location=(0, 0, 0))
cube = bpy.context.active_object

# Modify object
cube.scale = (2, 2, 2)
cube.rotation_euler = (0, 0, math.radians(45))

# Save
bpy.ops.wm.save_as_mainfile(filepath='output.blend')

Creating 3D Objects

Primitives

import bpy

# Cube
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cube_add(
    size=2,
    location=(0, 0, 0)
)

# Sphere
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_uv_sphere_add(
    radius=1,
    location=(3, 0, 0),
    segments=32,
    ring_count=16
)

# Cylinder
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cylinder_add(
    radius=1,
    depth=2,
    location=(-3, 0, 0)
)

# Torus
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_torus_add(
    major_radius=1,
    minor_radius=0.25,
    location=(0, 3, 0)
)

Custom Meshes

import bpy

# Create mesh data
vertices = [
    (0, 0, 0),
    (1, 0, 0),
    (1, 1, 0),
    (0, 1, 0)
]

edges = []

faces = [(0, 1, 2, 3)]

# Create mesh
mesh = bpy.data.meshes.new(name="CustomMesh")
mesh.from_pydata(vertices, edges, faces)
mesh.update()

# Create object from mesh
obj = bpy.data.objects.new("CustomObject", mesh)

# Link to scene
bpy.context.collection.objects.link(obj)

Modifiers

# Add subdivision surface
obj = bpy.context.active_object
modifier = obj.modifiers.new(name="Subsurf", type='SUBSURF')
modifier.levels = 2
modifier.render_levels = 3

# Add array modifier
array = obj.modifiers.new(name="Array", type='ARRAY')
array.count = 5
array.relative_offset_displace = (1.5, 0, 0)

# Apply modifier
bpy.ops.object.modifier_apply(modifier="Subsurf")

Materials and Textures

Basic Materials

import bpy

# Create material
material = bpy.data.materials.new(name="MyMaterial")
material.use_nodes = True

# Get node tree
nodes = material.node_tree.nodes
links = material.node_tree.links

# Clear default nodes
nodes.clear()

# Add Principled BSDF
bsdf = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeBsdfPrincipled')
bsdf.location = (0, 0)

# Set properties
bsdf.inputs['Base Color'].default_value = (0.8, 0.2, 0.2, 1.0)
bsdf.inputs['Metallic'].default_value = 0.5
bsdf.inputs['Roughness'].default_value = 0.3

# Add output
output = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeOutputMaterial')
output.location = (300, 0)

# Connect nodes
links.new(bsdf.outputs['BSDF'], output.inputs['Surface'])

# Assign to object
obj = bpy.context.active_object
if obj.data.materials:
    obj.data.materials[0] = material