List Installed Blender Add-ons With Python API

Hey guys! Ever needed to quickly grab a list of your installed Blender add-ons and their versions using Python? It's super useful for keeping track of updates or just knowing what you've got installed. Let's dive into how you can do this using Blender's Python API. This article will guide you through the process step by step, ensuring you have a clear understanding of how to retrieve this information efficiently. We'll explore the specific modules and functions you need to use, and provide practical examples to help you implement this in your own scripts. So, if you're ready to level up your Blender scripting skills, let's get started!

Understanding the Blender Python API for Add-ons

To start, you'll need to understand how Blender organizes add-on information within its Python API. The key module we'll be working with is bpy.context.preferences.addons. This module provides access to all the installed add-ons in Blender. Think of bpy.context.preferences.addons as the central hub for accessing add-on data. To get started, you'll first need to import the bpy module, which is the core of Blender's Python API. Once you have the bpy module imported, you can then access the preferences and subsequently the add-ons. Each add-on is represented as an instance of the Addon class, which contains various properties, including the add-on's module, name, and version. The version number is a crucial piece of information, especially when you're trying to keep your scripts updated and compatible with the latest add-on releases. By understanding the structure of how Blender stores add-on information, you can more effectively write scripts to manage and track your add-ons. For example, you can create a function that iterates through all the add-ons and prints their names and versions, giving you a quick overview of your installed tools. This foundational knowledge will not only help you in this specific task but also in any future scripting endeavors within Blender.

Accessing Installed Add-ons

To access the installed add-ons, you'll use bpy.context.preferences.addons. This attribute provides a collection of all installed add-ons. Think of it as a list that you can loop through. Accessing the installed add-ons is a straightforward process, but it's essential to understand how to navigate the Blender Python API to get there. The bpy.context object represents the current Blender context, which includes information about the active scene, user preferences, and more. The .preferences attribute gives you access to the user preferences, where add-on information is stored. Finally, .addons provides the collection of installed add-ons. Once you have this collection, you can iterate through it to access individual add-ons. Each add-on in the collection is an instance of the Addon class, which has properties like module, name, and version. This structured approach allows you to easily extract the information you need. For example, you can use a for loop to iterate through the bpy.context.preferences.addons collection and print the name of each add-on. This is the first step in building a script that can list all your installed add-ons and their versions. Understanding this access path is crucial for any add-on management script you want to create.

Retrieving Add-on Information (Name & Version)

Once you have access to the add-on object, you can retrieve its information. The module attribute gives you access to the add-on's module, and from there, you can access the bl_info dictionary, which contains the add-on's metadata, including the version. The name attribute is also directly accessible. Retrieving the add-on information, such as its name and version, is a crucial step in managing your add-ons. The module attribute of an add-on object gives you access to the actual Python module that implements the add-on's functionality. Inside this module, there's a dictionary called bl_info, which stores metadata about the add-on. This metadata includes essential details like the add-on's name, author, description, and, most importantly, its version number. To access the version, you can use the bl_info dictionary and retrieve the value associated with the 'version' key. The name attribute of the add-on object directly provides the add-on's name, making it easy to identify the add-on. By combining these two pieces of information, you can create a script that lists all your installed add-ons along with their versions. This is particularly useful when you need to check for updates or ensure that your scripts are compatible with specific add-on versions. For instance, you can write a function that iterates through the installed add-ons and prints each add-on's name and version in a formatted way. This simple script can save you a lot of time and effort in managing your Blender add-ons.

Code Example: Listing Add-ons

Here's a simple Python script to list installed add-ons and their versions:

import bpy

for addon in bpy.context.preferences.addons:
    addon_name = addon.module
    try:
        version = addon.module.__getattr__("bl_info").get("version", "N/A")
    except:
        version = "N/A"
    print(f"Add-on: {addon_name}, Version: {version}")

This script iterates through the installed add-ons and prints their names and versions. Let's break down this code so you can understand exactly what's happening. First, we import bpy, which gives us access to Blender's Python API. Then, we use a for loop to iterate through the bpy.context.preferences.addons collection. For each add-on in the collection, we extract the module name using addon.module.__name__ and store it in the addon_name variable. Next, we try to access the version information from the bl_info dictionary within the add-on module. We use a try-except block to handle cases where the bl_info dictionary might not exist or might not contain a version key. If the version is found, we store it in the version variable; otherwise, we set the version to "N/A". Finally, we print the add-on name and version using an f-string. This script provides a clear and concise way to list your installed add-ons and their versions. You can run this script directly in Blender's Python console or save it as a Python file and run it from the Scripting workspace. The output will give you a simple reference for checking updated scripts and managing your Blender add-ons effectively.

Running the Script in Blender

To run this script, open Blender, go to the Scripting tab, open a new text file, paste the code, and press Alt+P. The output will appear in the Blender Console. Running the script in Blender is a straightforward process, but let's walk through the steps to make sure you've got it down. First, open Blender and navigate to the Scripting tab. This workspace is designed specifically for writing and running Python scripts within Blender. Next, create a new text file by clicking the New button in the Text Editor panel. This will open a blank text file where you can paste the code we discussed earlier. Once you've pasted the code, you can run it by pressing Alt+P. This keyboard shortcut tells Blender to execute the Python script in the active text file. The output of the script will appear in the Blender Console. If the console isn't visible, you can open it by going to Window > Toggle System Console. The console will display the list of installed add-ons and their versions, making it easy for you to review and manage your add-ons. Running scripts directly within Blender's Scripting workspace is a powerful way to automate tasks and extend Blender's functionality. By following these steps, you can quickly run the script we've provided and get a clear overview of your installed add-ons. This is just one example of how you can use Python scripting to enhance your Blender workflow.

Customizing the Script

You can customize this script to output the data to a file, filter add-ons by name, or perform other actions. For example, you could modify the script to generate a CSV file containing the add-on names and versions, which could be useful for creating a more structured report. Or, you might want to add a filtering mechanism that only lists add-ons matching a specific name or pattern. Customizing the script allows you to tailor it to your specific needs and make it even more useful in your workflow. For instance, if you want to output the data to a file, you can use Python's file handling capabilities to open a file, write the add-on information to it, and then close the file. This can be particularly helpful if you need to keep a record of your add-ons over time or share the list with others. Another customization you might consider is adding a filtering mechanism. You could prompt the user to enter a search term and then only list add-ons whose names contain that term. This can be a great way to quickly find a specific add-on in a long list. The possibilities for customization are endless, and by experimenting with the script, you can learn more about Blender's Python API and how to use it to automate tasks and improve your workflow. Remember, the key to effective scripting is to start with a basic script and then gradually add features and functionality as needed.

Conclusion

Listing installed Blender add-ons and their versions using the Python API is a simple yet powerful way to manage your add-ons. This is super helpful for keeping track of updates and ensuring compatibility. By using the techniques outlined in this article, you can easily retrieve this information and incorporate it into your own scripts and workflows. We've covered how to access the add-ons, retrieve their information, and even provided a working script that you can use right away. But the real power comes from understanding how to customize the script to fit your specific needs. Whether you want to output the data to a file, filter the add-ons by name, or perform other actions, the possibilities are endless. So, go ahead and experiment, explore the Blender Python API, and discover new ways to enhance your Blender experience. Remember, scripting is a valuable skill that can save you time and effort, and by mastering it, you can unlock the full potential of Blender. Happy blending, guys!