I have downloaded an add-on hosted on github today using this green 'Download/Clone' button. However, when I try to install it via User Preferences > Addons > Install it does not appear in the Add-on list, no matter what I do.
Q: How to download and install add-ons hosted on github properly? What am I doing wrong?
Search for any instructions on how to install the add-on in the first place and make sure you follow them step by step (can vary). In most cases those instructions listed in the README.md as part of the repository.
Before downloading the entire repository using the 'Code' button, make sure there is no actual release (In most cases there is, to keep development organized):
If so, click on Releases Tab and download the latest release (.zip or single .py file):
Once downloaded, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install, select the file (zip or py file) and press Install Add-on as usual.
__init.py__ located in the main directoryIf there is no release version, using the 'Code' button is the only option to download the add-on. If there is an __init__.py file located in the main directory, click the green 'Code' button and download the zip:
Once downloaded, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install, select the file (.zip or .py file) and press Install Add-on as usual.
Note: This way you can also try an experimental version of the add-on in case the release version is behind some changes.
__init__.py is part of a subfolderSearch for __init__.py in the repository and copy the folder containing this file to your Add-on directory:
$HOME/.config/blender/<version>//Library/Application Support/Blender/<version>/%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\<version>\You can get also get the folder per machine using the python console: bpy.utils.script_path_user() and / or bpy.utils.script_paths("addons")
Further reading: Addons: Only some .zips will install
