blender-web-pipeline

What this skill does

# Blender Web Pipeline

## Overview

Blender Web Pipeline skill provides workflows for exporting 3D models and animations from Blender to web-optimized formats (primarily glTF 2.0). It covers Python scripting for batch processing, optimization techniques for web performance, and integration with web 3D libraries like Three.js and Babylon.js.

**When to use this skill:**
- Exporting Blender models for web applications
- Batch processing multiple 3D assets
- Optimizing file sizes for web delivery
- Automating repetitive Blender tasks
- Creating production pipelines for 3D web content
- Converting legacy formats to glTF

**Key capabilities:**
- glTF 2.0 export with optimization
- Python (bpy) automation scripts
- Texture baking and compression
- LOD (Level of Detail) generation
- Batch processing workflows
- Material and lighting optimization for web

## Core Concepts

### glTF 2.0 Format

**Why glTF for Web:**
- Industry-standard 3D format for web
- Efficient binary encoding (.glb)
- PBR materials support
- Animation and skinning
- Extensible with custom data
- Wide library support (Three.js, Babylon.js, etc.)

**glTF vs GLB:**
```
.gltf = JSON + external .bin + external textures
.glb  = Single binary file (recommended for web)
```

### Blender Python API (bpy)

**Access Blender data and operations via Python:**

```python
import bpy

# Access scene data
scene = bpy.context.scene
objects = bpy.data.objects

# Modify objects
obj = bpy.data.objects['Cube']
obj.location = (0, 0, 1)
obj.scale = (2, 2, 2)

# Export glTF
bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
    filepath='/path/to/model.glb',
    export_format='GLB'
)
```

### Web Optimization Goals

**Target Metrics:**
- File size: <5 MB per model (ideal <1 MB)
- Polygon count: <50k triangles for real-time
- Texture resolution: 2048x2048 max (1024x1024 preferred)
- Draw calls: Minimize via texture atlases
- Load time: <2 seconds on average connection

## Common Patterns

### 1. Basic glTF Export (Manual)

```python
# Blender Python Console or script

import bpy

# Select objects to export (optional - exports all if none selected)
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='DESELECT')
bpy.data.objects['MyModel'].select_set(True)

# Export as GLB
bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
    filepath='/path/to/output.glb',
    export_format='GLB',                # Binary format
    use_selection=True,                 # Export selected only
    export_apply=True,                  # Apply modifiers
    export_texcoords=True,              # UV coordinates
    export_normals=True,                # Normals
    export_materials='EXPORT',          # Export materials
    export_colors=True,                 # Vertex colors
    export_cameras=False,               # Skip cameras
    export_lights=False,                # Skip lights
    export_animations=True,             # Include animations
    export_draco_mesh_compression_enable=True,  # Compress geometry
    export_draco_mesh_compression_level=6,      # 0-10 (6 recommended)
    export_draco_position_quantization=14,      # 8-14 bits
    export_draco_normal_quantization=10,        # 8-10 bits
    export_draco_texcoord_quantization=12       # 8-12 bits
)
```

### 2. Python Script for Batch Export

```python
#!/usr/bin/env blender --background --python
"""
Batch export all .blend files in a directory to glTF
Usage: blender --background --python batch_export.py -- /path/to/blend/files
"""

import bpy
import os
import sys

# Get command line arguments after --
argv = sys.argv
argv = argv[argv.index("--") + 1:] if "--" in argv else []

input_dir = argv[0] if argv else "/path/to/models"
output_dir = argv[1] if len(argv) > 1 else input_dir + "_gltf"

# Create output directory
os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)

# Find all .blend files
blend_files = [f for f in os.listdir(input_dir) if f.endswith('.blend')]

print(f"Found {len(blend_files)} .blend files")

for blend_file in blend_files:
    input_path = os.path.join(input_dir, blend_file)
    output_name = blend_file.replace('.blend', '.glb')
    output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, output_name)

    print(f"Processing: {blend_file}")

    # Open blend file
    bpy.ops.wm.open_mainfile(filepath=input_path)

    # Export as GLB with optimizations
    bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
        filepath=output_path,
        export_format='GLB',
        export_apply=True,
        export_draco_mesh_compression_enable=True,
        export_draco_mesh_compression_level=6
    )

    print(f"  Exported: {output_name}")

print("Batch export complete!")
```

**Run batch script:**

```bash
blender --background --python batch_export.py -- /models/source /models/output
```

### 3. Optimize Model for Web (Decimation)

```python
import bpy

def optimize_mesh(obj, target_ratio=0.5):
    """Reduce polygon count using decimation modifier."""

    if obj.type != 'MESH':
        return

    # Add Decimate modifier
    decimate = obj.modifiers.new(name='Decimate', type='DECIMATE')
    decimate.ratio = target_ratio  # 0.5 = 50% of original polygons
    decimate.use_collapse_triangulate = True

    # Apply modifier
    bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = obj
    bpy.ops.object.modifier_apply(modifier='Decimate')

    print(f"Optimized {obj.name}: {len(obj.data.polygons)} polygons")

# Optimize all selected meshes
for obj in bpy.context.selected_objects:
    optimize_mesh(obj, target_ratio=0.3)
```

### 4. Texture Baking for Web

```python
import bpy

def bake_textures(obj, resolution=1024):
    """Bake all materials to single texture."""

    # Setup bake settings
    bpy.context.scene.render.engine = 'CYCLES'
    bpy.context.scene.cycles.bake_type = 'COMBINED'

    # Create bake image
    bake_image = bpy.data.images.new(
        name=f"{obj.name}_bake",
        width=resolution,
        height=resolution
    )

    # Create bake material
    mat = bpy.data.materials.new(name=f"{obj.name}_baked")
    mat.use_nodes = True
    nodes = mat.node_tree.nodes

    # Add Image Texture node
    tex_node = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeTexImage')
    tex_node.image = bake_image
    tex_node.select = True
    nodes.active = tex_node

    # Assign material
    if obj.data.materials:
        obj.data.materials[0] = mat
    else:
        obj.data.materials.append(mat)

    # Select object
    bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = obj
    obj.select_set(True)

    # Bake
    bpy.ops.object.bake(type='COMBINED')

    # Save baked texture
    bake_image.filepath_raw = f"/tmp/{obj.name}_bake.png"
    bake_image.file_format = 'PNG'
    bake_image.save()

    print(f"Baked {obj.name} to {bake_image.filepath_raw}")

# Bake selected objects
for obj in bpy.context.selected_objects:
    if obj.type == 'MESH':
        bake_textures(obj, resolution=2048)
```

### 5. Generate LOD (Level of Detail)

```python
import bpy

def generate_lods(obj, lod_levels=[0.75, 0.5, 0.25]):
    """Generate LOD copies with decreasing polygon counts."""

    lod_objects = []

    for i, ratio in enumerate(lod_levels):
        # Duplicate object
        lod_obj = obj.copy()
        lod_obj.data = obj.data.copy()
        lod_obj.name = f"{obj.name}_LOD{i}"

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

        # Add Decimate modifier
        decimate = lod_obj.modifiers.new(name='Decimate', type='DECIMATE')
        decimate.ratio = ratio

        # Apply modifier
        bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = lod_obj
        bpy.ops.object.modifier_apply(modifier='Decimate')

        lod_objects.append(lod_obj)

        print(f"Created {lod_obj.name}: {len(lod_obj.data.polygons)} polygons")

    return lod_objects

# Generate LODs for selected object
if bpy.context.active_object:
    generate_lods(bpy.context.active_object)
```

### 6. Export with Texture Compression

```python
import bpy
import os

def export_optimized_gltf(filepath, texture_max_size=1024):
    """Export glTF with downscaled textures."""

    # Downscale all textures
    for img in bpy.data.images:
        if img.size[0] > textu