How to make a button link to a DataLibrary using python?

Question

I have a random 3D model from a .blend file and I have been using Blenders Data Libraries to import it.

Here is the code:

import bpy
filepath = r"C:\path\example.blend"
coll_name = "collection name"
link = False
with bpy.data.libraries.load(filepath, link=link) as (data_from, data_to):
    data_to.collections = [c for c in data_from.collections if c.startswith(coll_name)]
for coll in data_to.collections:
    if coll is not None:
       bpy.context.scene.collection.children.link(coll)

It imports my object I need. But I would like to be able to press a button to activate it. So how can I do that?

I want the button to look like this:

(That type of formatting)

-

If you have any questions, please let me know and I will reply as soon as I can.

Thanks Daniel

Answer 1

i took the liberty to make an addon out of it.

It's a bit convoluted, so i made the simple version and EXTRA with file picker, it's mostly from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fuFDHR-UkE&list=PLa1F2ddGya_8acrgoQr1fTeIuQtkSd6BW&index=6

it adds a panel default 'N' key the panel can be merged with existing panels by modifying bl_category

just create a file in your blender instal folder /Version Nr/Scripts/Addons/ name it anything.py

then in blender after a restart go to preference/addons search for "Link data" and enable it.

hope that saves you a headache. hehe

bl_info = {
    "name" : "Link to Data Library",
    "author" : "Daniel",
    "description" : "Add description Here",
    "blender" : (2, 80, 0),
    "version" : (0, 0, 1),
    "location" : "",
    "warning" : "",
    "category" : "Generic"
}
import bpy
class OBJECT_OT_link_data(bpy.types.Operator):
    """Tool tip thingy"""
    bl_label = "Link Data"
    bl_idname = "object.link_data"
    bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
    bl_context = "objectmode"
def execute(self, context):

    filepath = r"C:\\path\example.blend"

    coll_name = "collection name"

    link = False

    with bpy.data.libraries.load(filepath, link=link) as (data_from, data_to):
        data_to.collections = [c for c in data_from.collections if c.startswith(coll_name)]

    for coll in data_to.collections:
        if coll is not None:
           bpy.context.scene.collection.children.link(coll)

    return {"FINISHED"}


class VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data(bpy.types.Panel):
    """Tool tip thingy"""
    bl_label = "Link To Data"
    bl_category = "Link Data"
    bl_space_type = 'VIEW_3D'
    bl_region_type = 'UI'
    bl_context = "objectmode"
def draw(self, context):
    layout = self.layout

    col = layout.column()

    col.operator("OBJECT_OT_link_data",
        text="link data",
        icon="PACKAGE"
    )



def register():
    bpy.utils.register_class(OBJECT_OT_link_data)
    bpy.utils.register_class(VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data)
def unregister():
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(OBJECT_OT_link_data)
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data)
if name == "main":
    register()

Modified version with EXTRA bits

bl_info = {
    "name" : "Link to Data Library",
    "author" : "Daniel",
    "description" : "Add description Here",
    "blender" : (2, 80, 0),
    "version" : (0, 0, 1),
    "location" : "",
    "warning" : "",
    "category" : "Generic"
}
import bpy
class OBJECT_OT_link_data(bpy.types.Operator):
    """Tool tip thingy"""
    bl_label = "Link Data"
    bl_idname = "object.link_data"
    bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
    bl_context = "objectmode"
def execute(self, context):

    filepath = bpy.path.abspath(context.scene.DanielLinkFile)

    coll_name = context.scene.DanielLinkCollection

    link = context.scene.DanielLink

    with bpy.data.libraries.load(filepath, link=link) as (data_from, data_to):
        data_to.collections = [c for c in data_from.collections if c.startswith(coll_name)]

    for coll in data_to.collections:
        if coll is not None:
           bpy.context.scene.collection.children.link(coll)

    return {"FINISHED"}


class VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data(bpy.types.Panel):
    """Tool tip thingy"""
    bl_label = "Link To Data"
    bl_category = "Link Data"
    bl_space_type = 'VIEW_3D'
    bl_region_type = 'UI'
    bl_context = "objectmode"
def draw(self, context):
    layout = self.layout

    col = layout.column()

    col.prop(context.scene, "DanielLinkFile")
    col.prop(context.scene, "DanielLinkCollection")
    col.prop(context.scene, "DanielLink")

    col.operator("OBJECT_OT_link_data",
        text="link data",
        icon="PACKAGE"
    )



def register():
    bpy.types.Scene.DanielLinkFile = bpy.props.StringProperty(name="Link File",subtype="FILE_PATH", default=r"C:\path\example.blend")
    bpy.types.Scene.DanielLinkCollection = bpy.props.StringProperty(name="Link Collection",default="collection name")
    bpy.types.Scene.DanielLink = bpy.props.BoolProperty(name="Link",default=False)
bpy.utils.register_class(OBJECT_OT_link_data)
bpy.utils.register_class(VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data)


def unregister():
    del bpy.types.Scene.DanielLinkFile
    del bpy.types.Scene.DanielLinkCollection
    del bpy.types.Scene.DanielLink
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(OBJECT_OT_link_data)
    bpy.utils.unregister_class(VIEW3D_PT_Link_Data)
if name == "main":
    register()
```