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First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter target

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 01:02
by Worldblender
From June 3:
https://www.blender.org/download/releases/2-83/
With over 1250 bugfixes, and further critical fixes due throughout the next two years as part of the Long Term Support program, Blender 2.83 LTS provides the performance and stability needed for major projects. New features include VR support, OpenVDB import, OptiX viewport denoising and a powerful new physics-enabled Cloth Brush.

From https://www.blender.org/download/lts/:
The Blender LTS program is aimed at ensuring that long-lasting projects can be executed using a stable Blender version, which will provide critical fixes throughout a 2-year time span.
The LTS version will not have any new features, API changes or improvements. Any critical fix that is applied to the 2.9 series will be regularly ported over to Blender 2.83 LTS.

With this very recent change, we'll finally have a stable target for porting the STK Blender add-on to without worrying about breaking changes that could make it harder to port it if we wait too long.
BTW, I unfortunately have summer school until the beginning of August, so it is unlikely I can help out right away. To consolidate the work I'll do around that time, I'll be working on:
  • Finishing the STK Blender add-on (https://github.com/supertuxkart/stk-blender), by adding the actual importing and exporting functionality. Other missing functionality will be added in where possible.
  • One of my own Blender add-ons that imports models from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (https://gitlab.com/Worldblender/io_scene_numdlb). It's mainly the porting part that needs to be done, and will also add additional functionality where possible, though harder to do as the formats my add-on works with are intentionally undocumented [by the original developers]. I previously used it to make my collection of karts based off of the base roster fighters from Smash Ultimate, and will update them + add new ones based on DLC once this add-on is updated.
I have this stuff in mind, but I don't want to lose focus or time for my school assignments for now. I prefer dedicating hours of work onto particular project at a time, which conflicts with the way that school assignments are usually given out.

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 02:48
by benau
honestl supporting new blender is not really a top priority because stk uses only a tiny portion of blender feature.....

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 02:57
by Worldblender
benau {l Wrote}:honestl supporting new blender is not really a top priority because stk uses only a tiny portion of blender feature.....

Hmm, I can understand that, but the various Linux distros are eventually going to package only the newer Blender versions in their latest OS versions. By getting the STK Blender addons working in those newer versions, I can save people from searching and downloading older Blender versions.
Unless is there some other alternative that you propose we should migrate to instead? I will be working on porting the addon eventually in about two more months, but not while I have classes to take.

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 03:07
by benau
when sam / benau have time we may do the porting...

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 03:13
by Worldblender
benau {l Wrote}:when sam / benau have time we may do the porting...

Okay, if you say so. If that doesn't happen by August, I may start to do the porting myself. If either if you do find the time, tell me, so that I don't end up duplicating the work both of you would do.

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 07 Jun 2020, 04:02
by benau
i think i will use my time for vulkan stk probably so you can go head yourself, not sure about samuncle though Image

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 16 Aug 2020, 04:41
by Worldblender
Finally, I have upgraded both my desktop and laptop systems to Ubuntu 20.04, which ships with Blender 2.82 (upgraded to 2.83.4 with the PPA at https://launchpad.net/~thomas-schiex/+a ... tu/blender), so I'm ready to begin porting the STK Blender addon set. I still have Blender 2.79 installed as a snap package in case I need to use things that currently don't work on Blender >= 2.80.

Re: First Blender LTS release 2.83, better STK exporter targ

PostPosted: 17 Aug 2020, 22:48
by Worldblender
Me and another person have made enough progress to the point where we can now import and export SPM files. However, no work has started on GUI stuff yet, but I'll get there soon. For now, at least I'm making some progress that will eventually cumulate in people finally able to use Blender 2.80+ for STK models.