Blender 3D Mastery: A Complete Reference for Claude Code with Blender MCP 6 topics
Chapter 0 — Decision Matrix
Part I — Blender Foundations
Chapter 1: Blender Architecture & Data Model 2 topics
Access object and its mesh
Check the type of obj.data:
Multiple objects can share one mesh:
Object type values: 'MESH', 'CURVE', 'SURFACE', 'META', 'FONT',
'VOLUME', 'GPENCIL', 'ARMATURE', 'LATTICE', 'EMPTY',
'LIGHT', 'LIGHT_PROBE', 'CAMERA', 'SPEAKER' 1 topics
Iterate all objects in the master collection (non-recursive):
Recursive traversal of all objects in scene:
All scene objects (flat, faster for most purposes): 1 topics
Get evaluated depsgraph for current frame:
Get evaluated version of an object (modifiers applied):
IMPORTANT: free the evaluated mesh after use to avoid memory leaks:
Force depsgraph update after data changes:
Or trigger via scene update: 1 topics
Link — keeps reference to external .blend file (live link, read-only data):
Append — copies datablock into current file (editable, no external dependency):
Check if an object is linked (from external library): 1 topics
---- Data access ----
---- Evaluated (modifiers applied) ----
---- Scene graph traversal ----
---- Create and link new object ----
Chapter 2: Navigation, Workspaces & Interface 3 topics
Requires an active object to be set first
Toggle edit mode:
Check current mode: 1 topics
READ active object:
WRITE active object (Blender 4.x):
Equivalent alias:
WRONG (raises AttributeError):
bpy.context.active_object = obj ← DO NOT USE
Select + activate pattern: 1 topics
Get cursor location (mathutils.Vector):
Set cursor location:
Set cursor rotation:
Snap cursor to selected objects:
Snap cursor to world origin:
Add primitive at cursor location: 1 topics
Get VIEW_3D area:
OLD WAY (Blender 3.x, deprecated in 4.x — do NOT use):
bpy.ops.view3d.snap_cursor_to_selected({"area": area, "region": region}) 1 topics
Active object:
Iterate visible objects in view layer:
Exclude a collection from view layer:
Chapter 3: Objects: Transforms, Origins, Parenting & Instances 1 topics
--- Location ---
--- Rotation (Euler, default) ---
Rotation mode options: 'XYZ', 'XZY', 'YXZ', 'YZX', 'ZXY', 'ZYX', 'AXIS_ANGLE', 'QUATERNION'
--- Rotation (Quaternion) ---
World matrix: 4×4 matrix (mathutils.Matrix)
Decompose world transform:
Get world position of origin:
Transform a local point to world space:
Set world matrix directly (use sparingly — bypasses constraints): 1 topics
Must be in Object mode with target objects selected:
Full safe pattern:
Set origin to geometry center (median point of all vertices):
Options for center: 'MEDIAN', 'BOUNDS'
Set origin to bounding box center:
Set origin to 3D cursor position:
Move geometry to origin (origin stays, mesh moves):
All origin_set types:
'GEOMETRY_ORIGIN' — moves geometry to origin
'ORIGIN_GEOMETRY' — moves origin to geometry center
'ORIGIN_CURSOR' — moves origin to 3D cursor
'ORIGIN_CENTER_OF_MASS' — moves origin to center of mass (surface or volume) 1 topics
Set parent:
matrix_parent_inverse = parent's inverted world matrix at time of parenting
Without this, child will jump to account for parent's current transform
Clear parent (keep visual transform):
Parent types: 'OBJECT' (default), 'ARMATURE', 'BONE', 'CURVE', 'FOLLOW', 'LATTICE', 'VERTEX', 'VERTEX_TRI' 1 topics
Collection instancing (most common):
Vertex instancing — each vertex of a mesh spawns an instance:
Make instances real (convert to editable objects): 1 topics
Duplicate linked (shares mesh data):
Duplicate unlinked (independent copy):
Programmatic copy:
Chapter 4: Mesh Data: Vertices, Edges, Faces, Normals & UVs 1 topics
or: mesh = bpy.data.objects["MyObject"].data 1 topics
Iterate vertices:
Access by index:
Modify vertex position directly:
Iterate edges:
Iterate polygons (faces): 1 topics
For polygon p, its corners: 1 topics
Access UV layer:
Read UV coordinates (indexed by loop):
Create a new UV layer:
UV Unwrap (requires EDIT_MESH mode, with faces selected):
Smart UV Project:
Angle-based unwrap:
method options: 'ANGLE_BASED', 'CONFORMAL'
Lightmap UV unwrap (for baking AO/shadows):
More reliable: use Smart UV Project for general-purpose packing 1 topics
Create a custom float attribute on vertices:
type options: 'FLOAT', 'INT', 'FLOAT_VECTOR', 'FLOAT_COLOR', 'BYTE_COLOR', 'BOOLEAN', 'FLOAT2', 'INT8', 'QUATERNION'
domain options: 'POINT' (vertex), 'EDGE', 'FACE' (polygon), 'CORNER' (loop)
Write values:
Read:
Remove attribute:
List all attributes: 1 topics
Per-vertex normals (read from Mesh):
Per-polygon normals:
Recalculate normals (Edit mode required):
inside=True: flip normals inward
Enable Auto Smooth (Blender 4.1+: replaced by Smooth by Angle modifier):
Pre-4.1:
Blender 4.1+: add a "Smooth by Angle" geometry node modifier instead
Flip all normals (Edit mode): 1 topics
Iterate bmesh elements:
Ensure lookup tables are up to date before indexing:
Select by index:
Push changes back to mesh:
... build geometry ... 1 topics
Non-destructive (modifier):
Destructive (Edit mode):
Chapter 5: Mesh Editing & Modeling Techniques 1 topics
Ensure active mesh object in Edit mode:
... editing operators ... 1 topics
Select / Deselect / Invert all:
Selection mode (Vert / Edge / Face):
Check current select mode:
Select border / box:
bpy.ops.mesh.select_box() # interactive only; not scriptable
Select linked (connected geometry):
Select edge loops:
Extrude and move in one operation:
Extrude along normals:
Extrude individual faces:
Extrude edges:
Extrude vertices: 1 topics
Inset selected faces: 1 topics
Loop cut and slide:
Multiple cuts (evenly spaced): 1 topics
Bevel edges:
Fill hole (select boundary edges/verts):
Bridge two edge loops:
Grid fill (selected edge loops):
Merge vertices:
type options: 'FIRST', 'LAST', 'CENTER', 'CURSOR', 'COLLAPSE'
Merge by distance (Blender 4.x — only valid operator):
NOTE: bpy.ops.mesh.remove_doubles was removed in Blender 3.4 — do not use 1 topics
Subdivide:
Knife tool (interactive; use bisect for scripting):
bpy.ops.mesh.knife_tool() # interactive only
Bisect (planar cut): 1 topics
Dissolve (removes geometry without creating holes):
Delete:
Separate into new object:
type: 'SELECTED', 'MATERIAL', 'LOOSE' 1 topics
Enable proportional editing: 1 topics
Intersect Boolean (uses second selected mesh to cut first):
NOTE: both objects must share geometry or overlap; use modifier approach for reliability
operation: 'INTERSECT', 'UNION', 'DIFFERENCE'
Setup: cutter object exists in scene
Apply modifier to make permanent:
Then delete cutter if no longer needed 1 topics
Remesh (voxel) for clean topology from sculpt:
Quadriflow remesh for quad-dominant retopo: 1 topics
Translate (move) selected:
Rotate selected:
Scale selected:
Shrink/Fatten along normals:
Push/Pull:
Chapter 6: Modifiers System (Non-Destructive Modeling) 1 topics
Access the modifier stack:
Modifier index/order (position 0 = top of stack = applied first):
Move modifier in stack:
Blender 4.x direct reorder:
obj.modifiers.move(from_index=2, to_index=0)
Remove modifier without applying:
Apply modifier (bakes into mesh, removes from stack):
Apply as shape key (stores deformation as shape key):
Disable without removing: 3 topics
Offset method:
Constant offset:
Fit to curve:
Object offset (use another object's transform):
Caps (start/end cap objects): 6 topics
Skin radius per vertex is controlled via vertex data (Edit mode > Skin Resize) 8 topics
Cloth:
Soft Body:
Particle System:
Collision:
Fluid (Domain / Flow / Effector set via Fluid properties panel): 1 topics
Add Geometry Nodes modifier:
Create or assign a node group:
Set socket inputs on modifier (keys from modifier.keys()): 2 topics
Order: Mirror → Boolean(s) → Bevel → Subdivision
On cloth object:
On floor/obstacle:
Bake:
Part II — Materials, Shading & Rendering
Chapter 7: Materials & Shader Nodes 1 topics
Create material:
Access Principled BSDF (always present when use_nodes=True):
Assign to object:
Position nodes for readability: 2 topics
Control tiling and offset:
Check if already in bpy.data.images first: 1 topics
Adjust normal map strength: 8 topics
Connect Alpha channel of texture to bsdf Alpha input 2 topics
Typical layout for a texture-driven material:
Chapter 8: Lighting: Types, HDRI & Light Probes 1 topics
Area light:
All light types:
'POINT' — omnidirectional point source
'SUN' — infinitely distant directional light (sun/moon)
'SPOT' — cone-shaped directional light
'AREA' — rectangular/disk light source 1 topics
POINT light:
SUN light:
SPOT light:
AREA light (rectangular): 1 topics
Build HDRI node graph:
Load HDRI image:
Connect:
Layout:
Full rotation reference:
0 = 0° (original orientation)
1.5708 = 90°
3.1416 = 180° (flip horizontally)
4.7124 = 270°
Use a separate background for camera rays vs. diffuse/glossy:
Camera rays use solid color, all other rays use HDRI
Via MCP: download_polyhaven_asset(asset_id="rural_asphalt_road", asset_type="hdris", resolution="2k")
This handles the entire world node setup automatically. 1 topics
(name, type, location, color_RGB, energy_W, size_m) 1 topics
Create a volume material for an object:
Assign to cube/domain object 1 topics
sky.sky_type = 'HOSEK_WILKIE' # alternative physically-based model
NOTE: 'PREETHAM' was removed in Blender 4.0 1 topics
Disable shadow casting for a light:
Object visibility flags:
Cycles-specific light visibility:
Access via light.cycles attribute: 1 topics
Light linking is configured per light via the light object's data.
In bpy, access via Cycles light settings — this feature is primarily UI-based.
For scripted control, the recommended approach is separate render layers
with lights on different collections with render visibility toggled per layer.
Hide a light from a specific collection:
Chapter 9: Cameras: Focal Length, Depth of Field & Composition 1 topics
Create camera object:
Access camera data:
Set as active render camera: 1 topics
Projection type:
Perspective settings:
Sensor (film back) size:
Orthographic:
Example: 50mm on full-frame = 39.6°, 24mm = 74°, 85mm = 23.9° 1 topics
Enable DoF:
Focus by distance:
Focus on a specific object (auto-tracks as object moves):
Aperture (f-stop controls blur amount):
f-stop guide:
f/1.4 — very shallow, extreme blur (portrait)
f/2.8 — shallow, moderate blur (standard portrait/product)
f/5.6 — moderate depth
f/11 — deep, little blur (landscape/architecture)
f/22 — maximum depth (near-infinite focus)
Aperture shape (bokeh shape):
Higher blade count = more circular bokeh, slower render: 1 topics
Optionally limit influence:
Find the VIEW_3D area and lock camera to view: 1 topics
Create multiple cameras:
Switch active render camera: 1 topics
Set render resolution to match camera aspect:
Camera border rendering (render only a portion of the frame):
Fit camera to selected objects (requires operator context):
bpy.ops.view3d.camera_to_view_selected() — needs VIEW_3D context 1 topics
Keyframe at frame 1 (start position):
Keyframe at frame 100 (end position):
Set interpolation to smooth:
Chapter 10: Rendering: Cycles vs EEVEE 1 topics
Cycles — physically-based path tracer:
EEVEE Next (Blender 4.2+) — real-time rasterizer:
Legacy EEVEE (Blender 4.0–4.1):
Workbench (viewport-style, fast preview only): 1 topics
Sample count:
Denoising:
Device:
Note: GPU must be configured in Preferences > System > Cycles Render Devices
Light bounces (ray depth):
Clamping (suppress fireflies):
Caustics:
Seed (reproducible noise):
Per-scene light path limits (same as cycles.max_bounces family above)
Per-object light path: 1 topics
EEVEE Next (Blender 4.2+) — ray tracing replaces SSR and shadow maps
Sampling (still valid in EEVEE Next):
Ambient Occlusion (still valid):
Ray Tracing (EEVEE Next 4.2+ — replaces SSR and shadow maps):
Bloom: REMOVED in EEVEE Next — use Compositor > Glare node instead
Shadow map sizes: REMOVED in EEVEE Next — shadows are ray-traced
Motion Blur:
Depth of Field:
Controlled per camera via cam.dof — EEVEE uses camera DoF settings
Legacy EEVEE (Blender 4.0–4.1 only — do NOT use on 4.2+):
eevee.use_bloom = True # removed in 4.2
eevee.use_ssr = True # removed in 4.2
eevee.shadow_cube_size = '512' # removed in 4.2 1 topics
Resolution:
Aspect ratio override:
Output path and format:
File format options:
'PNG' — lossless, supports alpha (RGBA), 8 or 16 bit
'JPEG' — lossy, smaller file, no alpha
'OPEN_EXR' — HDR float output, single layer
'OPEN_EXR_MULTILAYER'— HDR float with render passes as layers
'TIFF' — lossless, photographic workflow
'BMP' — uncompressed, no alpha
'WEBP' — modern lossy/lossless with alpha
Render current frame to file (writes to render.filepath):
Render current frame without saving:
Result accessible as:
Render animation (entire frame range):
Render to a specific file path (override output path): 1 topics
Standard passes:
Diffuse:
Glossy:
Other:
Cryptomatte (ID masking): 1 topics
Preferences must be set via bpy.context.preferences (not bpy.context.scene):
Refresh available devices:
Enable all available GPU devices:
Set compute device type:
Set scene to use GPU: 1 topics
View transform (tone mapping):
Note: Blender 4.0+ default is 'AgX' (better shadow handling than Filmic)
Exposure and gamma:
Look (contrast preset):
Sequencer colorspace: 1 topics
Access compositor nodes:
The render output automatically connects to the Render Layers node:
Example: add a Glare node: 1 topics
1. Configure engine and settings via execute_blender_code:
2. Trigger render (this blocks until complete — respect 180s MCP timeout):
3. After render, use get_viewport_screenshot for quick preview,
or read the output file directly for the render result.
Part III — Advanced Systems
Chapter 11: Geometry Nodes: Procedural Modeling 1 topics
Add the modifier:
Create a new node group and assign: 1 topics
============================================================
Blender 3.x (OLD) — BROKEN in Blender 4.0+:
============================================================
============================================================
Blender 4.0+ (CORRECT) — use node_tree.interface:
============================================================ 1 topics
Pass geometry straight through (no-op node graph): 1 topics
Float input:
Boolean input:
Vector input (tuple of 3 floats):
Integer input:
Object input:
Example output:
Socket_1: NodeSocketFloat (INPUT)
Socket_2: NodeSocketGeometry (OUTPUT) 2 topics
Add a Distribute Points on Faces node:
Set density by socket name:
Set distribution mode via node property (not a socket):
Add an Instance on Points node:
Add a Transform node:
Add Store Named Attribute node:
Reading back via Named Attribute node: 1 topics
Create the surface object:
Add Geometry Nodes modifier:
--- Blender 4.x interface sockets ---
--- Nodes ---
--- Links ---
--- Set density from modifier --- 1 topics
Create a small sphere to instance:
Create the surface:
Geometry Nodes modifier:
Interface:
Nodes:
Links:
Set the instance object via modifier input: 1 topics
List all nodes in the tree:
List all links:
List interface sockets:
Check modifier input values:
Chapter 12: Scene Management: Collections, Object Properties & Layers 1 topics
Create a top-level collection and link it to the scene:
Move an existing object into the collection:
Create a nested (child) collection: 2 topics
Visibility:
Display mode in viewport:
Object color (used in Solid mode with "Object" color source):
Pass index (used in render passes for compositing):
Custom properties: 1 topics
Deselect all:
Select a specific object:
Set the active object (required for many operators):
WRONG — this raises AttributeError in all Blender versions:
bpy.context.active_object = obj
Select multiple objects:
Get current selection: 1 topics
Append an object (copies it into the current file):
After append, bpy.context.selected_objects contains the appended objects.
Append an entire collection:
Link a collection (live reference — read-only in current file):
Appended objects land in the scene collection and are selected.
Move them to the right collection: 1 topics
Recursively print collection hierarchy: 1 topics
List all view layers:
Add a new view layer:
Remove a view layer (must have at least one remaining):
Switch the active view layer (requires a window reference):
Configure render passes on a view layer:
Set a custom AOV (Arbitrary Output Variable): 1 topics
Frame range:
FPS:
Units:
Gravity:
Chapter 13: Asset Libraries, PolyHaven & External Assets 1 topics
Mark the active object as an asset:
Clear asset status (un-mark):
set_fake_user=True: keeps the datablock alive even with zero users
Mark programmatically (without using ops):
UUID PATH SIMPLE_NAME 2 topics
execute_blender_code payload: 4 topics
Usage:
Part IV — Blender MCP Mastery
Chapter 14: blender-mcp Tool Reference (Complete — All 22 Tools) 1 topics
Add to Claude Code:
Or in claude_desktop_config.json: 2 topics
MCP call (not Python):
→ returns JSON with complete scene inventory
Parse the output to learn object names before any execute_blender_code
→ returns JSON with location, rotation_euler, scale, dimensions,
material_slots, vertex_count, polygon_count, modifier_stack
→ returns PNG image of the 3D viewport at up to 800×800 pixels
Use after every significant change to verify results visually
max_size=1200 for more detail on complex scenes 1 topics
Minimal usage pattern:
... your bpy code ...
Then: execute_blender_code(code=code) 1 topics
Step 1: Browse categories
→ "indoor (293), studio (96), outdoor (683), ..."
Step 2: Search
→ sorted list: asset_id, name, downloads, categories
Step 3: Download and apply
→ "The HDRI has been set as the world environment."
No further steps needed — addon handles the world node setup
Download creates a full PBR material:
→ "Created material 'wood_floor_deck' with maps: albedo, roughness, normal, ao"
Apply to object:
→ returns node count and texture node connection details
→ "The model has been imported into the current scene."
Then always check bounding box with execute_blender_code 1 topics
Step 1: Search
→ list of models with uid, name, author, license, face_count
Step 2: Preview (optional but recommended)
→ JPEG thumbnail
Step 3: Download and import
→ "Imported objects: ['Chair_mesh', 'Chair_legs']
Dimensions: X=0.52m Y=0.55m Z=1.01m
Scale applied: 0.34"
execute_blender_code payload: 1 topics
Step 1: Generate
→ {"task_uuid": "abc-123", "subscription_key": "xyz-789"}
Step 2: Poll until done (repeat until all statuses "Done")
→ ["Done", "Done", "Done"] ← all parts complete
Step 3: Import
→ success message
Step 4: Inspect bounding box (execute_blender_code)
(use the bounding box recipe above)
Step 1: Generate from image URL
→ {"request_id": "fal-req-456"}
Step 2: Poll
→ {"status": "COMPLETED"} ← done
Step 1: Generate
→ {"job_id": "job_00042"}
Step 2: Poll (repeat until status "DONE")
→ {"status": "DONE", "ResultFile3Ds": "/tmp/hunyuan/job_42/result.zip"}
Step 3: Import
Step 4: Check bounding box with execute_blender_code 2 topics
Step 1: Always call get_scene_info first
(via MCP, not bpy — this is an MCP tool call, not Python code)
get_scene_info() returns JSON with all objects, lights, cameras
Step 2: Based on scene info, build your bpy code
Target specific objects by name from scene info results
Step 3: execute_blender_code(code=code)
Always wrap execute_blender_code content with try/except:
After significant changes, force an update:
Ensure correct mode before every operator call:
Enter edit mode:
... edit operations ...
Always return to object mode:
Full PolyHaven HDRI workflow via MCP tools:
1. get_polyhaven_categories(asset_type="hdris") → see available categories
2. search_polyhaven_assets(asset_type="hdris", categories="studio") → find assets
3. download_polyhaven_asset(asset_id="<id>", asset_type="hdris", resolution="2k") → download
4. Then apply via execute_blender_code:
After download, the HDRI file is in Blender's asset library
Apply it to the World shader:
... (standard HDRI setup from Ch. 8) ... 1 topics
Chapter 15: Python & bpy API Deep Dive 2 topics
By name (KeyError if not found):
Safe get (returns None if not found):
By index:
Iterate:
Create:
Remove (frees memory if no other users):
WRITE active object — always use view_layer, never direct assignment:
WRONG — raises AttributeError in all Blender versions:
bpy.context.active_object = obj ← DO NOT USE 1 topics
PREFER direct manipulation (no context requirements, faster):
USE bpy.ops when no direct equivalent exists:
Check if an operator can run before calling: 1 topics
OLD WAY — Blender 2.x / 3.x — DEPRECATED / broken in 4.x:
bpy.ops.view3d.some_op({"area": area, "region": region}) ← do NOT use
NEW WAY — Blender 4.0+:
Find the VIEW_3D area:
Create a new bmesh and load from mesh:
Select all faces:
Inset faces:
Write back to mesh and free:
Move first vertex:
Push changes back: 1 topics
Then: bm.verts[5].co, bm.faces[2].normal 1 topics
--- Vector ---
Swizzle:
Component access:
--- Matrix (4x4) ---
Decompose (from world matrix):
rot is a Quaternion
Invert:
Column/row access:
--- Euler ---
--- Quaternion ---
Slerp (smooth interpolation between quaternions):
Get the depsgraph for the current frame:
Get the evaluated version of an object:
Get the final mesh with all modifiers applied:
CRITICAL: free the evaluated mesh when done to avoid memory leaks:
Force depsgraph update after making data changes: 1 topics
Set frame and insert location keyframe:
Keyframe rotation:
Keyframe scale:
Keyframe individual axis (index):
Keyframe material property:
Change keyframe interpolation: 1 topics
--- Transform ---
--- Identity ---
--- Visibility ---
--- Selection ---
--- Collections ---
--- Materials ---
--- Custom Properties ---
--- Constraints ---
--- Modifiers ---
--- Object Data (Mesh-specific) --- 1 topics
Shade smooth:
or direct:
Shade flat:
Chapter 16: Code Recipes Catalog 1 topics
Recipe A1: Clear scene completely (remove all objects, meshes, materials, lights, cameras)
Recipe A2: Set render resolution and percentage
Recipe A3: Create standard camera pointing at origin
Recipe A4: Set frame range and FPS
Recipe A5: Set scene units to metric meters
Recipe A6: Enable Cycles with GPU and denoising
Recipe A7: Enable EEVEE Next (Blender 4.2+) with ray tracing
Recipe A8: Set view transform to AgX (Blender 4.x default) 1 topics
Recipe B1: Create all primitive types in a row
Recipe B2: Create object from raw vertex/face data
Recipe B3: Duplicate object with offset
Recipe B4: Create empty (null object) as pivot / instancer
Recipe B5: Create icosphere and apply subdivision
Recipe B6: Create a grid plane 1 topics
Recipe C1: Set exact location, rotation (degrees), and scale
Recipe C2: Apply all transforms (bake into mesh data)
Recipe C3: Reset transforms to identity
Recipe C4: Move object to world origin, keeping geometry in place
Recipe C5: Place object flush with Z=0 (floor level)
Recipe C6: Align multiple objects in a row along X axis 1 topics
Recipe D1: Create and assign Principled BSDF material (blue plastic)
Recipe D2: Create emission (glowing) material
Recipe D3: Create glass material (Blender 4.x)
Recipe D4: Create metallic gold material
Recipe D5: Create matte white material
Recipe D6: Assign a different material to one specific face
Recipe D7: Create subsurface skin material
Recipe D8: Create clear coat car paint material 1 topics
Recipe E1: Add and configure an area light
Recipe E2: Three-point lighting rig
Recipe E3: Setup HDRI world lighting from a file path
Recipe E4: Delete all lights in scene
Recipe E5: Add sun light pointing down at 45 degrees
Recipe E6: Rotate HDRI world by 90 degrees (reposition sun direction) 1 topics
Recipe F1: Add Subdivision Surface modifier
Recipe F2: Add Mirror modifier with clipping
Recipe F3: Add Bevel modifier (angle-limited)
Recipe F4: Apply all modifiers
Recipe F5: Remove all modifiers without applying
Recipe F6: Add Array modifier (5 copies along X)
Recipe F7: Add Solidify modifier (for flat meshes like walls)
Recipe F8: Add Decimate modifier (reduce polygon count) 1 topics
Recipe G1: Cycles render to file
Recipe G2: Quick EEVEE preview render
Recipe G3: Render specific frame to specific path
Recipe G4: Render animation sequence 1 topics
Recipe H1: List all objects with type, location, and visibility
Recipe H2: Get scene summary
Recipe H3: Find objects by material name
Recipe H4: Purge all unused data blocks
Recipe H5: Print object bounding box and dimensions
Recipe H6: Get mesh statistics (vertex/edge/face count)
Recipe H7: List all materials and the objects using them 1 topics
Recipe I1: Keyframe object location over 60 frames
Recipe I2: Keyframe full transform (location + rotation + scale)
Recipe I3: Keyframe object visibility (appear at frame 30)
Recipe I4: Keyframe material Roughness (shiny to matte)
Recipe I5: Set all keyframe interpolation to BEZIER
Recipe I6: Set all keyframe interpolation to LINEAR 1 topics
Recipe J1: Create nested collection hierarchy
Recipe J2: Move object to a specific collection
Recipe J3: Move all selected objects to a new collection
Recipe J4: Rename all objects with a prefix
Recipe J5: Print collection hierarchy tree
Recipe J6: Hide/show a collection 1 topics
Recipe K1: Subdivide all edges of active object
Recipe K2: Inset all faces
Recipe K3: Triangulate all faces
Recipe K4: Recalculate normals outward
Recipe K5: Merge vertices by distance (remove doubles)
Recipe K6: Bevel all edges with 2 segments 1 topics
Recipe L1: Export selected objects as GLB
Recipe L2: Export all objects as FBX
Recipe L3: Import a GLB file
Recipe L4: Import an OBJ file 1 topics
Recipe M1: Align object's origin to world floor (Z=0)
Recipe M2: Create a procedural color gradient material using ColorRamp
Configure gradient type:
Set ramp colors:
Link:
Recipe M3: Parent multiple objects to an empty pivot
Create or find pivot empty:
Parent all named objects to pivot:
Recipe M4: Scatter objects on a surface using vertex positions
Recipe M5: Check Blender version and report API compatibility
Recipe M6: Delete object and all its data cleanly
Recipe M7: Snap all selected objects to ground (Z=0) plane
Recipe M8: List all node trees in the scene (materials, world, GN modifiers)
Part V — Domain Workflows
Chapter 17: Architectural Visualization Workflow 1 topics
Set units to metric meters:
Set render resolution (2K for arch viz):
Set Cycles for quality:
For scenes with glass, increase transmission bounces: 1 topics
Floor — 20 m plane (extends beyond room for ground shadows):
Ceiling:
Front wall (faces camera, no window):
Back wall:
Left wall:
Right wall (with window opening — skip for now): 1 topics
Point at far wall, slightly up: 1 topics
Surface presets (all Roughness/Metallic physically grounded):
Glass — uses Transmission Weight (Blender 4.x name):
Assign materials to room surfaces: 1 topics
After downloading via Polyhaven MCP:
apply_hdri_to_world("/path/to/downloaded.exr") 3 topics
Chapter 18: Game Asset Pipeline 2 topics
Example: reduce "GameAsset" to 5000 triangles: 2 topics
Assign to object: 5 topics
Chapter 19: Product Visualization Workflow 1 topics
Clear everything:
Cycles configuration for product viz:
Disable caustics (not needed for most product shots): 1 topics
1. Infinite white background sweep (no seam visible):
2. Key light — large Area light from upper left (main illumination):
3. Fill light — from right, lower energy, larger size (softer):
4. Rim / hair light — behind product, creates separation from BG: 1 topics
Assume product object is named "Product" at origin:
Track To constraint — camera always points at product: 1 topics
Assign to product: 1 topics
1. Create rotation pivot at origin:
2. Camera orbits at product height, 2.5 m away:
3. Parent camera to pivot:
4. Track camera to product:
5. Animate pivot 0→360° over 120 frames (= 5 seconds at 24fps):
6. Linear interpolation — constant rotation speed: 2 topics
Use HDRI at low strength (0.3) for ambient reflections,
plus the three-point rig for direct lighting control: 1 topics
Chapter 20: Character & Organic Modeling Workflow 1 topics
1. Create base sphere for head sculpting:
2. Smooth shading:
3. Enter Sculpt mode:
4. Enable X-axis symmetry:
5. Enable smooth shading during sculpt: 1 topics
Phase 1: rough block-in at 2 cm:
Phase 2 (after rough sculpt): fine remesh at 5 mm:
voxel_remesh("Sculpt_Head_Base", voxel_size=0.005) 7 topics
Enable Rigify addon:
Add Human Meta-Rig:
Scale to character height (~1.8 m):
Chapter 21: Motion Graphics & Animation Workflow 1 topics
Example: animate a cube from origin to (3, 0, 0) over 60 frames: 1 topics
Interpolation modes and when to use each:
'BEZIER' — smooth ease in/out (default, best for organic motion)
'LINEAR' — constant speed (turntables, scrolling text)
'CONSTANT' — no interpolation, stepped (stop-motion style)
'BACK' — overshoot past target, then settle (bouncy UI)
'BOUNCE' — physical bounce on arrival
'ELASTIC' — spring oscillation
'EXPO' — exponential acceleration or deceleration
'SINE' — gentle sinusoidal ease 3 topics
Example: cube Z-rotation driven by its own X-location: 3 topics
Render to image sequence (recommended for long animations):
For video output directly: 2 topics
Chapter 22: Troubleshooting, Errors & Debugging Blender Scripts 1 topics
Blender 4.4+ explicit slot assignment pattern:
Explicit slot assignment (required if auto-assignment heuristic fails): 1 topics
Usage pattern — always guard, always restore: 1 topics
Example: run a VIEW_3D operator when context area might be wrong:
NLA editor operator: 2 topics
Check scene complexity before expensive operations:
1. Limit Subdivision Surface viewport level:
2. Reduce particle viewport display:
3. Disable realtime Geometry Nodes where possible: 3 topics
Chapter 23: Expanded Reference: Scripting, Geometry Nodes, Sculpting, Materials & Rigging 6 topics
StringProperty — text input, file paths, passwords
BoolProperty — checkbox (name displays to RIGHT of checkbox)
EnumProperty — dropdown; each item is (id, label, tooltip) or (id, label, tooltip, icon, number)
IntProperty / FloatProperty — slider widget
FloatVectorProperty — XYZ, color, etc. 1 topics
Run a script in background mode with no UI:
Open a specific file, then run script:
Pass arguments to the script (after `--`):
Everything after `--` is passed to argparse: 10 topics
--- Create a new GN tree and attach to object ---
Add Geometry Nodes modifier
Create a new node group
Add interface sockets (Blender 4.0+ API)
Add Group Input/Output nodes
Add a Subdivide Mesh node
Wire it up: Input.Geometry → Subdivide → Output.Geometry
Drive the modifier's exposed Count input:
Modifier inputs are named by socket identifier (e.g. "Socket_2", "Input_3")
Use `mod[socket_identifier]` to set values, or set via UI. 9 topics
Example: Koch curve 1 topics
Usage:
batch_generate(100, "/tmp/guns", generator_fn=build_gun) 2 topics
Bulk-mark all objects matching a pattern:
In a library's blender_assets.cats.txt:
VERSION 1
01234567-89ab-cdef-0123-456789abcdef:Trees:Trees
fedcba98-7654-3210-fedc-ba9876543210:Trees/Conifers:Trees-Conifers 24 topics
Usage in a material: 7 topics
Create top-level collections
Nested collection
Assign bones to collections (Edit Mode or via API)
Toggle visibility (bone collection visibility): 13 topics