Rotate object on local axis using a slider

Question

I have an object already rotated on X,Y axis and I'm trying to find a solution to use the value of a slider to rotate this object on it's 'Z' local axis.

I've made an little script to explain my problem. You will have the create a new scene, rotate the default cube using RR on all axis, then use the script :

import bpy
from bpy.props import FloatProperty
from mathutils import Vector, Matrix, Quaternion, Euler
from math import degrees, radians

class HelloWorldPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
    """Creates a Panel in the Object properties window"""
    bl_label = "Hello World Panel"
    bl_idname = "OBJECT_PT_hello"
    bl_space_type = 'PROPERTIES'
    bl_region_type = 'WINDOW'
    bl_context = "object"

    def draw(self, context):
        layout = self.layout

        obj = context.object

        row = layout.row()
        row.label(text="Active object is: " + obj.name)
        row = layout.row()
        row.prop(obj, "name")

        row = layout.row()
        row.prop(context.window_manager, "rotate")

def get_rotation(self):
    try:
        rotate = self["rotate"]
        #-- Here, the cube is always spinning...
        #obj = bpy.context.object
        #obj.matrix_world *= Matrix.Rotation(radians(self["rotate"]), 4, 'Z')
    except KeyError:
        self["rotate"] = 0
    return self["rotate"]


def set_rotation(self, value):
    self["rotate"] = value
    #-- Here, it's working at the beginning, but fail when going toward 0.
    obj = bpy.context.object
    obj.matrix_world *= Matrix.Rotation(radians(self["rotate"]), 4, 'Z')

def update_rotation(self, context):
    pass
    #-- Here, it's working at the beginning, but fail when going toward 0.
    #obj = bpy.context.object
    #obj.matrix_world *= Matrix.Rotation(radians(self["rotate"]), 4, 'Z')

def register():
    bpy.types.WindowManager.rotate = FloatProperty(name="Rotation", description="Rotate object.", 
                                                    get=get_rotation, set=set_rotation,
                                                    update=update_rotation)
    bpy.utils.register_class(HelloWorldPanel)


def unregister():
    del bpy.types.WindowManager.rotate
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(HelloWorldPanel)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    register()

As you can see, when using the script, the value of the slider will be add to the rotation, instead I would like the rotation to match the value of the slider. I've tried with an update and the getter/setter, but i failed to find a solution. I don't know if it's possible without an operator. thanks a lot for your help.

Answer 1

I'm copy/pasting the solution from @batFINGER so I will be able to change this problem to solved. Thanks.

import bpy
from bpy.props import FloatProperty
from mathutils import Vector, Matrix, Quaternion, Euler
from math import degrees, radians

class HelloWorldPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
    """Creates a Panel in the Object properties window"""
    bl_label = "Hello World Panel"
    bl_idname = "OBJECT_PT_hello"
    bl_space_type = 'PROPERTIES'
    bl_region_type = 'WINDOW'
    bl_context = "object"

    def draw(self, context):
        layout = self.layout

        obj = context.object

        row = layout.row()
        row.label(text="Active object is: " + obj.name)
        row = layout.row()
        row.prop(obj, "name")

        row = layout.row()
        row.prop(obj, "rotate")

def get_rotation(self):
    return self.rotation_euler.to_matrix().to_euler('ZYX').z

def set_rotation(self, value):
    rot = self.rotation_euler.to_matrix().to_euler('ZYX')
    rot.z = value
    self.rotation_euler = rot.to_matrix().to_euler(self.rotation_mode)

def register():
    bpy.types.Object.rotate = FloatProperty(name="Rotation",
            description="Rotate object.",
            get=get_rotation,
            set=set_rotation,
            unit='ROTATION')

    bpy.utils.register_class(HelloWorldPanel)


def unregister():
    del bpy.types.Object.rotate
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(HelloWorldPanel)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    register()

Answer 2

By using obj.matrix_world *= Matrix(...) you apply the rotation on top of the existing matrix, which explains the behaviour you're seeing.

Rather than changing the matrix, why not go to the source of the rotation itself, the rotation_euler property? You can just do obj.rotation_euler.z = radians(self["rotate"]) and let Blender to do the matrix math for you.

Alternatively you could use a driver that reads that particular window manager property.

Answer 3

Try Changing the line:

obj.matrix_world *= Matrix.Rotation(radians(self["rotate"]), 4, 'Z')

to

obj.matrix_world = Matrix.Rotation(self["rotate"], 4, 'Z')#input in radians

or

obj.matrix_world = Matrix.Rotation(radians(self["rotate"]), 4, 'Z')#input in degrees