During my time at "Lucas-Nülle GmbH", I was taking on the role of tools developer for the 3D team.
My task was to maintain an asset database of almost 2000 assets by the time I left as well as supporting the artists and my other colleagues with tools to streamline their work processes.
This post outlines four of the tools that I worked on under supervision of Trey Ramm built with Python as Blender plugins or as stand-alone programs.
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ASSET TOOLS
This Blender plugin integrates the remote database directly with the Blender interface. Assets may be uploaded, edited and downloaded directly from the server, while syncing the the database state across all users' machines. It also validates meshes, materials and textures, enforces production standards that keep the database organized and automatic thumbnail generation.
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RENDERING TOOLS
This Blender plugin is used by the artists and marketing to create high-quality standardized product renders of the assets authored by the 3D team. It supports several separated rendering workflows using a compact step-by-step interface.
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CURVE DATA EDITOR
The electronic assets in the database contain snapping points and metadata describing how those parts are connected to other parts using different types of wires, plugs and cables. This stand-alone python GUI let's users author and edit the cable and plug descriptions that are shared among the project, integrating with the ASSET TOOLS.
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LN-AU CHECKER
The LN-AU units are products stands that contain a selection of articles that each are also assets on the database. This stand-alone python GUI tracks the progress of said units including a breakdown on the progress of the contained articles. It is used by project managers for tracking and overseeing the progress made by the 3D artists.