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====== Blender PhotoCreator ======
The Blender PhotoCreator reads in processed IGXC or OC files into Blender and creates renderings.

===== Requirements =====

Installed Blender version.

:!: Make sure Blender Gui language is set to english

Make sure to have access to the IG.Graphics.Data.Tools (Tools) repository. If not ask the admin for help.

Inside this repository go to Importers/Blender

For correct rendering following files are required:

  * PhotoCreator///BlenderVersion///CameraPosition.py
  * PhotoCreator///BlenderVersion///CollectionHandling.py
  * PhotoCreator///BlenderVersion///PhotoCreator.py
  * PhotoCreator///BlenderVersion///PhotoCreator.blend
  * Shared///BlenderVersion///IGMaterialMapping.py
  * Shared///BlenderVersion///IGVelvet.py
  * Shared///BlenderVersion///IGXCImporter.py
  * Shared///BlenderVersion///OCImporter.py
  * Shared///BlenderVersion///NormalMapCombine.py
  * SceneExporter///BlenderVersion///SceneExporter.py

:!: For correct rendering the CTM-Importer from Tools/Importers/OpenCTM///BlenderVersion// must be installed as Addon in Blender.

===== How To =====
==== Setting up the structure ====
On your PC, create a folder called: **Blender_PhotoCreator** \\
Into this folder copy the listed python and blend files from the [[#requirements| Requirements]] section.

<code>
Blender_PhotoCreator
  │  ├── PhotoCreator.blend
  │  ├── CameraPosition.py
  │  ├── CollectionHandling.py
  │  ├── PhotoCreator.py
  │  ├── IGMaterialMapping.py
  │  ├── IGVelvet.py
  │  ├── IGXCImporter.py
  │  ├── OCImporter.py
  │  ├── NormalMapCombine.py
  │  ├── RenderSettings.py
  │  └── SceneExporter.py
</code>

An **index.txt** file is required as well. \\
See the next topics for more details:
  * [[#oc zip|OC ZIP]]
  * [[#igx2go|IGX2GO]]
  * [[#ig.gfx.photocreator|IG.GFX.PhotoCreator]]

==== OC Zip ====

In case using an OC zip (downloadable from [[ig.creator:products:graphical:configurator#Using data outside the Creator|IG.Creator]]), unpack this file into a folder, first. \\
Secondly, inside the unpacked folder, create an **index.txt** file. \\
Open the **index.txt** file and write the file path to the **scene.json** inside the file.

<code>
<SomePath>\scene.json
</code>

Copy the **index.txt** file into the Blender_PhotoCreator directory.

==== IGX2GO ====

In case using an IGX2Go zip (downloadable from [[ig.creator:products:graphical:configurator#Using data outside the Creator|IG.Creator]]), unpack the zip file into a folder, first. \\
Secondly, inside the unpacked folder, create an **index.txt** file. \\
Open the **index.txt** file and write the file path of the **Scene.igxc** into this file.

<code>
<SomePath>\scene.json
</code>

Copy the **index.txt** file to the Blender_PhotoCreator directory.

==== IG.GFX.PhotoCreator ====
In case using the **IG.GFX.PhotoCreator** follow it's [[ig:gfx:photocreator|instruction]] to get the assets and scene descriptions first.\\
The **IG.GFX.PhotoCreator** creates a folder called **Photos**. Inside this folder there is an **index.txt** file. \\
Copy the **index.txt** file to the Blender_PhotoCreator directory.

==== Starting the Rendering ====

=== Inside Blender ===
Open the PhotoCreator.blend file in the Blender_PhotoCreator folder. \\
On the left side, there is a big empty area. Here the **PhotoCreator.py** can be opened. \\
Open the **PhotoCreator.py** file. \\
To run the rendering, press the **Play** button in the text editor or run it with the shortcut **Alt+P**. (The mouse must be inside the text editor area!) \\
The assets are loaded inside Blender and the rendering is started automatically. \\
Keep in mind, the **rendering will take some time** and Blender will not be able to answer during this task! \\
The saved image can be found inside the **Bender_PhotoCreator/Render** folder

=== From Commandline or Terminal ===

To run the Blender PhotoCreator inside the Commandline or Terminal best is to create a **batch** or **shell** script. (Depends on OS) \\
Name the script **create** and save it inside the **Blender_PhotoCreator** folder. \\
Inside this script define the following commands: \\
See  [[blender:environment_variable|Environment Variable]]

**Windows**

<code batch>
REM BLENDER -> environment variable to your installed blender verison
%BLENDER% -b ./PhotoCreator.blend -P ./PhotoCreator.py
</code>

** Linux or MacOS**

<code bash>
# blender -> environment variable to your installed blender verison
blender -b ./PhotoCreator.blend -P ./PhotoCreator.py
</code>

Run the file and wait until it finished. \\
The saved image can be found inside the **Render** folder.

== Env.json ==
This file can be provided **optionally** with a scene description and holds blender render settings.\\
This file can be set for all scene files individually or can be defined as a global env.json\\

For individual usage the scene file and env file names must follow this naming convention:

> Test-scene.igxc
> Test-env.json
-> Both files need to have the same prefix (e.g. Test), followed by -scene or -env.

To use a global env.json. add the **ENVIRONMENTPATH** variable to the **batch/shell** **create** file and give it a **directory+env.json**

**Windows**
<code batch>
set ENVIRONMENTPATH=<someGobalPath>/global-env.json
</code>

**Linux or Mac**
<code bash>
export ENVIRONMENTPATH=<someGobalPath>\global-env.json
</code>

=== Environments ===

An Environment is a virtual world around the imported scene. \\
The id must be entered in the json file controlled by the **IG.GFX.PhotoCreator** or can be added manually inside the env.json

Follwing environments are defined:

  * **?** - Use as prefix for all following environments. If "?" is added to the environment, the image is rendered as preview with less samples and 50% pixel resolution. 

  * **"01"** - transparent background
  * **"02"** - matt white background
  * **"03"** - glossy white background
  * **"04"** - matt white background without shadow
  * **"05"** - transparent background without shadow
  * **"06"** - matt white with xyz axis
  * **"07"** - matt light gray background
  * **"igo"** -  preview with 100% pixel resolution

=== Cameras ===
== Customizable Cameras ==
Camera positions (eye and target) can be set **exteranlly** in the [[ig:gfx:photocreator:sampels|Photo.json]] file. \\
The rotation is calculated automatically from the positions.

== Default Cameras ==
Instead of using a customizable camera, it is possible to use an automatically posed camera.\\
The camera is placed, depending on the object's bounding box, at the following positions:

  * FrontRight
  * FrontLeft
  * FrontCenter
  * TopCenter

The positons are defined through the [[ig:gfx:photocreator|IG.GFX.PhotoCreator parameters]] appearing when the IG.GFX.PhotoCreator is started without parameters.

=== Additional Parameters ===
Additional parameters can be used within the **create** file inside the **Commandline** or **Terminal**. \\
The following parameters can be used to have extra control for the photo rendering process:

  * **IGPCOUTDIR** (Default: None): specify this inside the batch/shell script to define another output directory. The default directory is ./Render
  * **ENVIRONMENTPATH**: specify this to enable the usage of a globally defined *-env.json. See the section [[#env.json|Env.json]] for more details.
  * **COLORMANAGEMENT**: specify this to enable filmic color look for renderings. Values are True or False

===== Known Issues =====

=== Linux ===
Error: 
the drivers are not activated proparly