Blender Addon

The Modelibr Blender addon enables direct integration with your model library, allowing you to browse, import, and upload models without leaving Blender.

Features

• Browse Models - View your library with thumbnails
• Import Models - Load models directly into Blender
• Upload Versions - Create new versions of imported models
• Upload New - Add current scene as a new model
• URI Handler - Open models from the web app in Blender

Installation

Step 1: Download the Addon

Download modelibr.zip from the blender-addon/ folder in the repository.

Step 2: Install in Blender

1. Open Blender
2. Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons
3. Click Install...
4. Select modelibr.zip
5. Enable the addon by checking the checkbox

Step 3: Configure

1. Expand the addon in preferences
2. Set your Server URL (e.g., http://localhost:5009)
3. Choose your Default Export Format (GLB recommended)

Usage

Accessing the Panel

1. Open a 3D Viewport
2. Press N to open the sidebar
3. Click the Modelibr tab

Browsing Models

1. Click Load Models to fetch from server
2. Use the search box to filter
3. Select a model from the list
4. Click Import to load it

Creating New Versions

After importing a model:

1. Make your changes in Blender
2. Click Upload New Version
3. Add an optional description
4. Click OK to upload

Uploading New Models

1. Click Upload as New Model
2. Enter a name
3. Choose export format
4. Click OK

URI Handler (Open in Blender)

To enable the "Open in Blender" button in the web app:

cd blender-addon
python install_uri_handler.py

This registers the modelibr:// protocol so clicking "Open in Blender" launches Blender with the model context.

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Texture Handling

The Modelibr addon automatically manages textures when importing and exporting models.

Importing Textures

When you import a model with textures:

1. Texture sets are downloaded and applied to materials
2. Channel-packed textures (like ORM) are automatically extracted into separate channels
3. Each texture is tagged with its Modelibr file ID for tracking changes

![SCREENSHOT: Import with textures applied to material]

Texture Reuse

If you import multiple models that share the same texture set, the addon reuses existing textures instead of duplicating them. You'll see the user count increase on shared images.

![SCREENSHOT: Shared texture with user count > 1]

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Uploading Textures

Modification Detection

The addon tracks which textures have changed since import:

• Unchanged textures: Referenced by file ID (not re-uploaded)
• Modified textures: Re-uploaded to server
• New textures: Uploaded as new files

This selective upload saves bandwidth and time when only some textures have changed.

Channel Packing

When uploading, if the addon detects separate grayscale textures that could be packed (Roughness, Metallic, AO), you'll see a Texture Packing option in the upload dialog:

![SCREENSHOT: Upload dialog with Texture Packing box]

Option	Description
Upload Separately	Keep textures as individual files
Pack into ORM	Combine into single ORM texture (R=AO, G=Roughness, B=Metallic)

Tip: ORM textures are more efficient for real-time rendering and reduce file count.

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Addon Preferences

Access via Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Modelibr:

![SCREENSHOT: Addon preferences panel]

Setting	Description
Server URL	URL of your Modelibr server
Default Export Format	GLB, GLTF, or FBX
Always Include .blend File	Upload source file with each version
Show Channel Packing UI	Show texture packing options on export

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Troubleshooting

Connection Failed

• Verify Modelibr server is running
• Check Server URL in addon preferences
• Ensure no firewall blocking

Import Failed

• Check if format is supported
• Verify model has files in selected version
• Check Blender console for errors

Upload Failed

• Ensure model context is set (import first)
• Check file size limits
• Verify API connectivity

Textures Not Applied

• Check Blender console for texture loading errors
• Verify texture files exist in the texture set
• Ensure materials use Principled BSDF shader