UI Overview

The Simple Export UI integrates seamlessly into various areas of Blender's interface.

  • Preferences: Located in Blender Preferences, this section stores global settings shared across all files, such as default paths, presets, hotkeys, and UI options.
  • Properties Panel (Output): Found in Properties → Output, this is the add-on's main workspace. It features the Export List for managing collections and file-specific overrides for export paths and presets.
  • Popup Panel: Provides a streamlined view of the Export List and key operations like assigning paths and presets. Accessible via a hotkey (Default: Shift + Alt + E) or easily assignable to the Quick Favorites.
  • Outliner Menu: Use the Right-Click Menu in the Outliner to export selected collections or assign paths and presets.
  • Info Popups: Display feedback or error messages after key operations for clarity and troubleshooting.

The Export List

The Export List is available in Properties → Output → Simple Export or the Popup Panel. It displays all export collections and provides tools for managing them.

Image of the Export List

List Elements

  1. Selection: Toggle collection selection.
  2. Status: Displays the collection's state (e.g., New, Edit, Locked).
  3. Name: Collection name.
  4. Filepath: Exporter filepath.
  5. Assign Filepath: Set filepath for the exporter.
  6. Assign Preset: Apply a preset to the exporter.
  7. Export Collection: Export the selected collection.
  8. Filter: Filter options for the Export List.

Filter

  • Exporter Type: Filter by the export type.
  • Alphabetical Order: Sort collections alphabetically.
  • Select/Deselect All: Manage collection selection.

Batch Operations

Batch operations allow users to apply settings or actions to multiple export collections simultaneously.

Batch Operations for the Export List

  1. Assign Presets: Apply presets to selected collections.
  2. Assign Filepaths: Assign file paths to selected collections.
  3. Export Selected: Export all selected collections.

Properties Panel (Output)

The Properties Panel is the main workspace for managing export collections, formats, and settings.

Placeholder Image of the Properties Panel

  1. Top Panel: Main settings like format and preset.
  2. Export List: Export List.
  3. Pre Export Operations: Operations to be performed before the export.
  4. Batch Operations: Operations applied to all selected elements of the Export List.
  5. Overwrite Preferences: Temporarily overwrite the Preference settings.
  6. Create Export Collection: Creation of Export Collections.

Top Panel

The top panel includes links to documentation and preferences.

The main area contains the current export format and corresponding preset.

Image of the top Menu

  1. Export Format: Choose the file format (e.g., FBX, OBJ).
  2. Export Preset: Set the default preset.

Export List

The Export List, as outlined above, is displayed here and can be customized through preferences.

The elements displayed in the Export List can be adjusted from the preferences.
Batch Operations for the Export List


Pre Export Operations

Warning

These settings can only be applied when this addon is installed. They will not be performed when using the regular Blender exporter.

Image of the pre export operations

  1. Move collections to the origin before export.

Batch Operations

  1. Assign Presets: Apply presets to selected collections.
  2. Assign Filepaths: Assign file paths to selected collections.
  3. Export Selected: Export all selected collections.

Overwrite Preferences

The settings are assigned in the preferences. This area is intended to temporarily overwrite these.

Image of the pre export operations

  1. Overwrite Filepath.
  2. Custom Folder.
  3. Export Folder.
  4. Search and Replace.

Image of the pre export operations

  1. Color: Choose the Export Collection color.
  2. File Name: Use the filename as prefix.
  3. Prefix: Use a custom prefix.
  4. Suffix: Use a custom suffix.
  5. Export Path: Assign filepath on creation.
  6. Export Preset: Assign preset on creation.
  7. Collection Offset: Assign collection offset.

Create Export Collection

  1. Parent Collection.
  2. Create Export Collection.
  3. Add Exporter to Collection.

The Popup Panel offers quick access to the Export List and key operations. Assign it to a hotkey or add it to the Quick Favorites menu for convenience.


Outliner

Image of Outliner

Right-click in the Outliner to perform export-related tasks. Outliner -> Right Click -> Simple Export.

  1. Add Exporter to Collection: Add an Exporter with all specified settings to the collection.
  2. Batch Operations: See Batch Operations for further information.

Preferences

Image of the Simple Export Preferences

  1. Export Format Defaults: Assign the default formats and corresponding presets.
  2. Export Path Defaults: Specify how export paths are generated by default.
  3. Export Collection Defaults: Defaults when creating an export collection or assigning an Exporter to an existing collection.
  4. Pre Export Operations: Operations to be applied before the export is taking place. See Pre Export Defaults

Export Path

By default, the export path is based on the .blend file's location, with options for mirroring folder structures. Use the Search/Replace tool to adjust paths.

Image of Custom Folder setup

Example:
- .blend File: C:\projects\workdata\tree.blend
- Export Path: C:\projects\sourcedata\tree_a.fbx
- Search/Replace: Replace workdata with sourcedata.

Alternatively, the export folder can also be selected directly.

Image of Custom Folder setup


Export Collection

Export Collections define export settings and behaviors. You can configure the following aspects of the export collider creation.

Image of Custom Folder setup

  1. Color: Assign a color to the collection.
  2. Use Blend File Name as Prefix: Append the file name to the collection name.
  3. Prefix: Add a custom prefix.
  4. Suffix: Add a custom suffix.
  5. Collection Offset: Specify the parent object’s location as an offset.
  6. Assign Export Path: Set the export path for the collection.
  7. Assign Export Preset: Apply a preset to the collection.

Pre Export Defaults

Operations performed before the collection gets exported.

Warning

These operations can only be performed if the Simple Export addon is installed. They will not be triggered when using the default collection export.

  • Move to Origin: Move collections to the origin based on the collection offset.

UI Customization

Control the level of detail displayed in the Export List and adjust when Info Popups appear (e.g., only on errors or always). Preferences allow you to optimize the UI for different workflows.

Image of Export list with the most essential elements only

All Elements Enabled:
Image of Export list with all options visible

All Elements Disabled:
Image of Export list with the most essential elements only