📦 Installation

1. In Blender, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.

2. Click Install and select the .zip file for Addon Dev Tools.

3. Enable the add-on by checking the box next to its name.

🔄 Using Auto Reload

Purpose: Automatically reloads your add-on whenever its files are saved.

1. Open the 3D Viewport and navigate to the Sidebar (N-panel).

2. Go to the Addon Dev Tools tab.

3. In the Auto Reload panel:

   • Set the folder path to your add-on’s root directory.

   • Click Start Monitoring to begin watching for file changes.

   • Edit your code in an external editor (e.g. VS Code). Changes will auto-reload in Blender.

   • Click Stop Monitoring to end monitoring.

Note: Multi-file add-ons are supported, but have not been extensively tested in complex setups.

📦 Creating a Release ZIP

Purpose: Packages your add-on into a .zip file for distribution.

1. In the same Addon Dev Tools tab, scroll to the Make a ZIP Package panel.

2. Ensure the folder path is set.

3. Click Release Addon.

4. A .zip file will be created in a release subfolder inside your project.

🔧 Troubleshooting

• Ensure your folder path points to the root of the add-on (containing __init__.py).

• Reloading errors will appear in the Blender System Console (Window > Toggle System Console on Windows).

• Blender must have permission to read/write in the specified folder