jesterKing
Blender 4.2 extension
Necessary changes to create an extension
Blender 4.2 introduced extension (and the related platform). These allow for an easier install process.
details
The blender manifest mostly just a copy from the on in the docs.
Python dependencies
For building the plugin, you will need the correct wheels pacakges. To get the wheels packages use the following commands inside the directory of the downloaded repo:
pip download rhino3dm --dest ./wheels --only-binary=:all: --python-version=3.11
Building the Plugin
blender --command extension build
changes
- adds blender_manifest.toml
- copies version from bl_info as bl_info variable is deleted by blender
I have to contemplate on this because currently the goal is to have https://www.rhino3d.com/download/rhino/8/import_3dm/ be the main URL to distribute the add-on.
In the very least we can post the new package format also on the releases page along with the ZIP files as we currently have for pre 4.2.
I don't think we'll be submitting this to the Blender extension platform, altough that is not set in stone.
I think simply adding the manifest should not hurt the pre 4.2 addon installation. There are also a few more benefits, like installation with drag and drop onto blender as well as a simple update mechanism in the preferences, if the addon is installed through a repository.
You don't need to upload to blenders extension platform, but could also create your own repository: https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/advanced/extensions/creating_repository/index.html