Variant Manager – User Manual

Version: 1.0.0
Author: OakenPixel
Blender Version: 4.0.0+

 Overview

Variant Manager is a Blender add-on designed to simplify the process of switching between design alternatives, organizing visual options, and managing variant sets — all within an intuitive interface. Whether you're a product designer, 3D artist, game developer, or architect, Variant Manager helps you present and compare ideas with clarity and control.

 Key Features

• One-Click Variant Switching: Turn collections into variants, show one variant and automatically hide the rest.

• Group Variants: Combine multiple object variants into a single, unified group.

• Naming-Based Detection: Automatically recognizes collections using a simple naming format.

• Multi-Level Variation Support: Organize collections by Section, Group, and Variant Number.

• Visual Feedback: Active variants and groups are clearly marked.

• Flexible Organization: Add, edit, and remove variants or groups at any time.

• Presentation-Ready: Ideal for showing clients multiple options quickly and professionally.

 Installation

1. Download the Addon
   Get the ZIP file from Superhive.

2. Install the Addon
   Open Blender and go to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons.
   Click Install…, select the ZIP file, and install.

3. Enable the Add-on
   In the Add-ons list, check the box next to Variant Manager.

4. Save Preferences
   Click Save Preferences to keep it enabled permanently.

 Collection Naming Convention

Variant Manager recognizes variant collections based on this format:

SectionName_var_VariantName

 Example:

Lights_var_1

• Lights → Section/group

• 1 → Variant identifier

  
  

✅ Any collection containing _var_ is automatically detected as a variant.

 Basic Usage

1. Collections named with _var_ are automatically detected.

2. Click on variant buttons in the UI to toggle visibility.

3. Only one variant per group is shown at a time.

4. Active variants are marked with ✔️ checkmarks.

5. Multiple variants can be shown by combining them into groups.

 Creating Variant Groups

Method 1: From Active Variants (Recommended)

1. Activate the variants you want to use together.

2. Click “Create Group from Active Variants”.

3. Enter a name for your group.

4. The group is saved and listed in the panel.

   
   

 Managing Variant Groups

• Activate: Click the radio button (🔘) next to the group name.

• Edit: Click the ✏️ icon to modify the group.

• Delete: Click the ❌ icon to remove the group.

• Visual Cue: Active groups are highlighted for clarity.

 Batch Rendering

Automatically render multiple variants with multiple cameras — in one go.
Batch Rendering lets you queue selected variants and cameras, then export every combination with a single click.

How it works
   ✅ Only collections added to the render queue are managed
   ✅ All other scene content stays untouched
   ✅ Simple queue-based rendering system — no manual toggling required

Step-by-Step Workflow

Step 1: Enable Render Queue Mode

• Click ‘Add Renders’ in the Render section of the UI

• Click on the variants you want to include

• Click ‘Exit Add Renders’ when done

Step 2: (Optional) Add Group Sets

• While in Add Renders mode, click the render icon (📷) next to a group set

• All variants in the group will be added at once

Step 3: Add Cameras

• Click ‘Add All’ to include every camera

• Or manually select cameras from the list

• Use checkboxes to enable/disable individual cameras

Step 4: Configure Output

• Choose your export folder

• Enable Variant Folders to organize images per variant

• Enable Camera Suffix to include the camera name in each filename

• Example output: VariantName_CameraName.png

Step 5: Render!

• Click ‘Render X Images’

• Each selected variant is rendered with each enabled camera

• Rendering progress is shown in real-time

• Press ESC to cancel at any time
  
  

  Use Case Highlights

  • Present multiple lighting setups from different angles

  • Showcase product materials and styles side by side

  • Prepare clean, organized outputs for clients or portfolio presentations

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Example Use Cases

• Product Designers: Instantly switch between different materials, styles, or colors.

• Architects: Present alternate furniture layouts, lighting setups, or finishes.

• Game Developers: Compare versions of props, enemies, or environmental setups.

• 3D Artists: Swap entire outfit sets, accessories, or lighting styles for characters.

• Presentations: Seamlessly show your client design options live in the viewport.

 Tips & Best Practices

• Keep your naming clean and consistent.

• Use sections and groups to separate large scenes logically.

• Group variants by function (e.g. Lighting, Furniture, Walls, etc.).

• Combine with camera bookmarks to present different layouts or designs interactively.

 Accessing the Tutorial

Click the “Tutorial” button in the Variant Manager UI to access the interactive help system.
Available modules:

• Create a Variant

• Create Group from Variants

• Edit Variant Group

• Switch Variants

• Manage Visibility