Blender Addon

CGIF Blender Tools is an addon with a set of tools specifically designed to ease the artists workflow while working on the Piggy Builders project in Blender.

The addon files are saved at :

\\path\to\project\PYB\software\addons\CGIF_Tools_Blender

The addon has two main components :

CGIF Menu

The CGIF Menu is located at the top of the Blender Window. It allows artists to perform all the main actions that might be required while working on a shot.
Some of its main functionalities includes :

• Save File
• Save New Version : Saves the current file as a new version by incrementing the file version by 1
• Make Playblast : Renders a playblast with predefined settings in the preview folder
• View Playblast : Opens latest playblast in RV Player
• Send to Kitsu : Uploads the latest playblast for review to Kitsu and sets the status to WFA
• Asset Submenu
  • Asset Tracker : Checks if the list of assets in current work file matches the Kitsu Breakdown list. Report a message for user if any asset is extra or missing
  • Update Selected Asset : All selected assets are deleted from current file and reimported to get the latest updates. Animation is preserved. Works only if asset rig is selected.
  • Import Missing Asset : Imports any assets that might be reported as missing by the Asset Tracker
  • Delete Selected Asset : Deletes the asset file for any selected mesh or rig type object
  • Add Subdiv Modifier : Auto-detects the mesh of character and prop type assets and adds a subdivision modifier. Subdivision value is references from a json file provided by the client
• Send for Approval (SFA) Submenu
  • Send For Approval : Uploads the latest playblast for client review to Kitsu and sets the status to SFA
  • SFA Playblast [Render Farm] : Creates a job on RenderPal to create a high quality playblast with predefined settings
• Quit Blender : Closes the current blender window
• End Session : Makes a copy of current work file on server and Ends the current session on Vaidraa

CGIF Tools Tab

The CGIF Menu is located in the side menu in any 3D Viewport in Blender. It is a compilation of small tools and shortcuts for artists that can be quickly accessed and speed up their workflows.
Some of its main functionalities includes :

• Make Playblast : Renders a playblast with predefined settings in the current viewport in the preview folder
• View Playblast : Opens latest playblast in RV Player
• Make SFA Playblast : Renders a high quality playblast with predefined settings in the current viewport in the preview folder
• View Playblast : Opens latest SFA playblast in RV Player
• Viewport Subpanel
  • Optimize : An On/Off switch that toggles the Simplify function built into Blender
  • Clear View : A collection of On/Off switches to quickly clean up the 3D Viewport
  • Guides : A collection of On/Off switches to quickly toggle the guide lines in active camera view
• Camera Subpanel
  • Reference Video : A Show/Hide switch that toggles the visibility of the reference video in active camera view
  • Metadata : Option to Add/ Update/ Hide/ Delete the metadata objects in the current working file
• Animation Subpanel
  • Copy/Paste BG Anim : Copy/Paste the animation keyframes on all supported objects in the background asset type (can be used across different Blender files)
  • Rig Layer Presets : A Show/Hide switch that toggles the visibility of various rig layers on the current selected rig object
• Quick Fixes : A collection of customized scripts specific to certain episodes / asset types

Links

Explore the following sections to learn more: