📚 Mass Exporter Documentation

✨ What makes Mass Exporter special?

Fast, reliable, and user-friendly batch exporting with automatic texture handling, customizable file naming, and support for 8 popular 3D formats.

1. Download the MassExporter.zip file (do not extract it)
2. Open Blender and go to Edit → Preferences
3. Navigate to the Add-ons tab
4. Click Install... button at the top
5. Browse and select the downloaded mass_export.zip file
6. Click Install Add-on
7. Enable the addon by checking the checkbox next to "Import-Export: Mass Exporter"
8. The addon panel will appear in the 3D Viewport sidebar under "Mass Exporter" tab

💡 Tip: Press N in the 3D Viewport to toggle the sidebar if you don't see it.

⚡ 30-Second Setup

1. Select your objects in the viewport
2. Open Mass Exporter panel (press N)
3. Click the [+] button to add formats
4. Enable formats you want (checkboxes)
5. Click Export All Formats
6. Done! All formats exported to your chosen folder

1. Select Objects: Select the object(s) you want to export in the 3D Viewport
2. Open Panel: Press N and click the "Mass Exporter" tab
3. Set Path: Choose where to save files in "Export Location"
4. Add Format: Click "Add Format" and choose your desired format (e.g., FBX)
5. Export: Click the large "Export" button

✅ Done!

Your files are exported to the chosen location, organized by format in subfolders.

Workflow 1: Export Single Object to Multiple Formats

1. Select your object (e.g., a character model)
2. Set export scope to "Export Selected Objects"
3. Add FBX format (enable "Pack Textures to Folder")
4. Add OBJ format
5. Add GLTF format (choose GLB)
6. Click Export

Result: You get three files: Character_FBX.fbx, Character_OBJ.obj, Character_GLTF.glb

Workflow 2: Batch Export Multiple Props

1. Select all prop objects (Shift+Click)
2. Set export scope to "Export Each Object Separately"
3. Add FBX format
4. Set file pattern to {object}_{format}
5. Click Export

Result: Each prop gets its own FBX file: Prop1_FBX.fbx, Prop2_FBX.fbx, etc.

Workflow 3: Export Scene by Collections

1. Organize your scene into collections (Environment, Characters, Props)
2. Set export scope to "Export Each Collection Separately"
3. Add your desired formats
4. Set file pattern to {collection}_{format}
5. Click Export

Result: Separate files for each collection: Environment_FBX.fbx, Characters_FBX.fbx, Props_FBX.fbx

💡 Default Pattern: {object}_{format} produces files like Cube_FBX.fbx

• Auto-Copy Textures: Automatically copy textures to export folder
• Texture Subfolder: Organize textures in a dedicated subfolder
• Relative Paths: Use relative paths for portability
• Format Support: Works with OBJ, FBX, GLTF, DAE formats
• Smart Detection: Finds textures from material nodes
• Deduplication: Prevents duplicate texture files

🎮 FBX (Filmbox)

Best For: Game engines (Unity, Unreal), 3D applications, animation

Extension: .fbx

Key Settings:

• FBX Version: Choose from 7.4 to latest versions
• Apply Scale: Automatic unit conversion
• Apply Modifiers: Bake modifier stack before export
• Mesh/Armature: Include bones and rigging
• Animation: Bake animations with custom frame ranges
• Axis Conversion: Correct coordinate systems
• Texture Export: Pack textures to folder automatically

🌐 glTF/GLB (GL Transmission Format)

Best For: Web 3D, AR/VR, real-time rendering, Three.js

Extension: .gltf (separate) or .glb (binary)

Key Settings:

• Format: glTF Separate (.gltf + textures) or GLB Binary (.glb)
• Compression: Draco compression for smaller file sizes
• Materials: Automatic PBR material conversion
• Textures: Embed or link external textures
• Animation: Export skeletal and morph target animations
• Optimization: Web-optimized output

📐 OBJ (Wavefront Object)

Best For: Universal compatibility, simple geometry, static models

Extension: .obj (+ .mtl for materials)

Key Settings:

• MTL Export: Include material library file
• UV Coordinates: Export texture coordinates
• Normals: Include vertex and face normals
• Vertex Colors: Export painted vertex colors
• Triangulate: Convert faces to triangles
• Texture Copy: Automatically copy texture files

🖨️ STL (Stereolithography)

Best For: 3D printing, CAD applications, CNC machining

Extension: .stl

Key Settings:

• Format: ASCII (text) or Binary (smaller files)
• Batch Mode: Optimized for multiple objects
• Scale: Unit conversion for proper dimensions
• Apply Modifiers: Bake all deformations
• Scene Unit: Respect scene unit settings

📊 PLY (Polygon File Format)

Best For: Point clouds, 3D scanning, mesh data, scientific visualization

Extension: .ply

Key Settings:

• Format: ASCII or Binary
• Vertex Colors: Export color data per vertex
• Normals: Include vertex normal data
• UV Coordinates: Export texture coordinates

🎬 USD (Universal Scene Description)

Best For: Pixar pipeline, VFX, film production, complex scenes

Extension: .usd, .usda (ASCII), .usdc (binary)

Key Settings:

• Format: USD/USDA/USDC variants
• Material Schema: Support for material definitions
• Hierarchy: Preserve object relationships
• Animation: Export animated properties
• Instancing: Optimize repeated geometry

🔄 Collada (DAE)

Best For: Cross-platform compatibility, open standard workflows

Extension: .dae

Key Settings:

• Apply Modifiers: Bake modifier stack
• Triangulate: Convert to triangles
• Materials: Export material definitions
• UV Maps: Include texture coordinates
• Texture Deduplication: Prevents duplicate texture files

💫 Alembic (ABC)

Best For: VFX interchange, animation caching, deformation data

Extension: .abc

Key Settings:

• Frame Range: Export specific animation frames
• Deformation: Cache mesh deformations
• Particle Systems: Export particle data
• Subdivision: Export subdivision surface data
• Transform: Bake transformations

1. Export Selected Objects

What it does: Combines all selected objects into a single export file per format.

Use when: You want to export multiple objects together (e.g., character with accessories).

2. Export Each Object Separately

What it does: Creates a separate export file for each selected object.

Use when: Batch exporting individual assets.

3. Export All Collections

What it does: Exports all collections in one file per format.

Use when: You want the entire scene hierarchy in one file.

4. Export Each Collection Separately

What it does: Creates a separate file for each collection.

Use when: Scene is organized into logical groups.

5. Export Entire Scene

What it does: Exports everything visible in the scene.

Use when: Full scene export is needed.

6. Export Only Visible

What it does: Exports only objects that are visible in viewport.

Use when: You've hidden unwanted objects and want to export what's shown.

💡 Pro Tip: Use collections and visibility to organize complex scenes before exporting.

Default Pattern

Available Tokens

Token	Description	Example Output
{object}	Name of the exported object	Character, Sword, Tree
{collection}	Collection name (if exporting collections)	Props, Environment
{parent}	Parent object name	Armature, Root
{index}	Sequential number (000, 001, 002...)	000, 001, 002
{format}	Export format name	FBX, OBJ, GLTF
{date}	Current date (YYYY-MM-DD)	2024-12-10
{time}	Current time (HH-MM-SS)	14-30-45

Example Patterns

Pattern: {object}_{format} (Default)

Pattern: {object}_{index}_{format}

Pattern: {date}_{object}_{format}

Pattern: {collection}_{object}_{format}

💡 Tip: Use meaningful patterns that help organize your exported assets. The pattern applies to all formats you're exporting.

How Texture Export Works

FBX Texture Export

1. Add FBX format to your export list
2. Click on FBX in Format Settings panel
3. Enable "Pack Textures to Folder" checkbox
4. Export your model

Result: All textures are copied to the same folder as the FBX file.

OBJ Texture Export

Automatic! When "Write Material File" is enabled (default), textures are automatically copied and referenced in the .mtl file.

DAE (Collada) Texture Export

Automatic with smart deduplication! If you have materials with names like "Material" and "Material.001" pointing to the same texture, only one copy is created.

GLTF/GLB Texture Export

• GLB Format: Textures are embedded in the binary file
• GLTF Format: Textures are separate files in the same folder

Texture Types Supported

Type	How It's Handled
External Images	Copied from their original location
Packed Images	Saved to export folder first, then copied
Generated Images	Saved to export folder with appropriate format

Troubleshooting Texture Export

Problem: Textures not exporting with FBX

Solution: Make sure "Pack Textures to Folder" is enabled in FBX format settings.

Problem: Missing .mtl file for OBJ

Solution: Ensure "Write Material File" is enabled in OBJ settings (it's on by default).

Problem: Textures in wrong location

Solution: Textures are always exported to the same folder as the model file. This is by design for maximum compatibility.

💡 Note: Your original Blender file is never modified. Image paths remain unchanged after export.

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Export button does nothing

Cause: No formats enabled or no export path set

Solution:

1. Add at least one export format
2. Enable the format (checkbox must be checked)
3. Set a valid export path

Issue: "No objects selected" error

Cause: Export scope is set to "Selected Objects" but nothing is selected

Solution:

• Select objects in 3D viewport before exporting, OR
• Change export scope to "Entire Scene" or "Only Visible"

Issue: Files exported to wrong location

Solution: Check the "Export Location" path in the main panel. Use the folder icon to browse to the correct location.

Issue: Textures missing after export

For FBX: Enable "Pack Textures to Folder" in format settings

For OBJ: Ensure "Write Material File" is enabled

For GLTF: Choose GLB format for embedded textures

Issue: Progress bar stuck

Solution:

1. Check Blender's console (Window → Toggle System Console on Windows)
2. Look for error messages
3. If frozen, restart Blender and try with simpler settings

Issue: Exported file won't open in target application

Solution:

• Verify the target application supports the format
• Try different format settings (e.g., FBX with different axis conversion)
• Check file size - very large files may take time to load
• Ensure textures are in the same folder as the model file

Issue: Duplicate .001 files created (DAE)

Status: ✅ Fixed in v1.0! If you still see this, please report it.

Issue: Unwanted .fbm folders (FBX)

Status: ✅ Fixed in v1.0! The addon now prevents these folders from being created.

Getting Help

If you encounter issues not covered here:

1. Check the Console: Window → Toggle System Console (Windows) or launch Blender from terminal (Mac/Linux)
2. Enable Debug Logging: Open Advanced Settings panel and enable "Debug Logging"
3. Contact Support: Check the marketplace listing for support options

System Requirements

• Blender: 3.0 or higher
• Python: Bundled with Blender (no external installation needed)
• OS: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.13+, Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+)
• Disk Space: Minimal (addon ~500KB) + export space

Performance Considerations

Operation	Performance	Notes
Single object export	Fast (<1s)	Depends on format and complexity
Batch export (10 objects)	Moderate (5-15s)	Sequential processing
Texture copying	Fast (per texture)	Depends on file size
Large scenes (>1000 objects)	Variable	Use collection-based export

Changelog

Version 1.0.0 (2024)

Initial Release

• ✨ Multi-format export support (8 formats)
• ✨ Flexible export scopes
• ✨ Automatic texture export
• ✨ Customizable file naming
• ✨ Format-specific settings
• ✨ Progress tracking
• ✨ Format presets
• 🐛 Fixed: FBX .fbm folder creation
• 🐛 Fixed: DAE duplicate .001 textures
• 🔧 Disabled: Batch Processing (not ready)
• 🔧 Disabled: Parallel Export (not ready)

Future Roadmap

Version 1.1 (Planned)

• Bug fixes based on user feedback
• Performance optimizations
• Additional format presets

Version 2.0 (Planned)

• Batch Processing implementation
• Parallel Export implementation
• Enhanced animation export
• Custom export scripts
• Cloud export integration

License & Credits

License: GPL-3.0-or-later

Support: Available through marketplace support channels

Thank you for using Mass Exporter!

We hope this tool makes your Blender workflow more efficient and enjoyable.