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Post #4872: Like you, I also struggle with the inaccessibility of the Tool Options.

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🏷️ Tags

popup-dialog macro tool-options intermediate solved

  • Interactive Panels
  • Macro Editor
  • Modal Editor
  • Python Scripting
  • Custom UI Layout

💬 Content

Like you, I also struggle with the inaccessibility of the Tool Options.

As a first suggestion, we could consider placing the properties in a more visible location. If the text and icons were to change according to the state of the properties, it would likely become even more user-friendly.

To begin with, please use PME’s Interactive Panels to create a menu in a highly visible location. This will automatically generate a pop-up dialog with any given menu ID. Then, write the following code in the custom tab for slots:

st = C.scene.tool_settings; text, icon = ('CFA On', 'SEQUENCE_COLOR_01') if st.use_transform_correct_face_attributes else ('CFA Off', 'SEQUENCE_COLOR_09'); L.prop(st, 'use_transform_correct_face_attributes', text=text, icon=icon)

This script operates as follows:

  1. Retrieves bpy.context.scene.tool_settings as st.
  2. Prepares the text ‘CFA On’ with a red icon if use_transform_correct_face_attributes (CFA) is True, or the text ‘CFA Off’ with a grey icon if False.
  3. Displays the property using L.prop() with the text and icon set in step 2.

API Reference: L.prop

Next, there is a second suggestion to create a specialized transformation feature.

When creating a function with PME, you’ll have to choose between a macro or a modal operator. Since Blender’s standard transform operators already operate modally, using PME’s modal operators can lead to redundant modal behavior, making it less user-friendly.

Therefore, it’s better to use a macro, but with caution. (This is a bit of a hack, so if anyone knows the official way to do this, please share.)

Follow the instructions below to create three slots and enter the commands as directed.

  1. Save the current state of the property and set the property to True.

st = C.scene.tool_settings; current_status = st.use_transform_correct_face_attributes; st.use_transform_correct_face_attributes = True

  1. Perform a transform operation (scaling, in this example).

bpy.ops.transform.resize('INVOKE_DEFAULT', True) #

  1. Revert to the property state saved in step 1.

C.scene.tool_settings.use_transform_correct_face_attributes = current_status

Pay special attention to step 2.

  • Explicitly specify INVOKE_DEFAULT.
  • Add some text at the end of the command (here we use #).

Neglecting these points may result in step 3 not executing if the transform is canceled during the operation. This hack aims to make the transform operator be recognized as just a snippet by PME.

I have prepared similar code for operations other than scaling, for you to use in step 2.

bpy.ops.transform.translate('INVOKE_DEFAULT', True) #
bpy.ops.transform.rotate('INVOKE_DEFAULT', True) #

These are the ideas I have concerning the Tool Options. I am utilizing this method, but in reality, depending on your workflow, there could be a variety of alternatives. If you have your own ideal method, please do share it.

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