Blender python coding with VSCode: getting started

Tested with Blender 2.93.1 on Windows 10-64bit but should work also with older/newer versions of Blender and other OS like Linux or macOS

Steps:

1. Install Blender 2.93.1

2. Install VSCode

3. Install Python (same version which is used within Blender: 2.93.1 uses Python 3.9.2)

1. to check which version of Python use used within Blender: just open Blender and switch to the "scripting" view and read the Python version:
2. Ensure to add Python to environment variables

4. Install and setup VSCode Python Extension

1. Select Python interpreter: CTRL+SHIFT+P -> Python: Select Interpreter
   • select the interpreter from installed Python
2. Select Python Linter: CTRL+SHIFT+P -> Python: Select Linter
   • select pylint and probably install it

5. Install and setup VSCode Python Langage Server

1. Configure in your User Settings:

"python.languageServer": "Pylance"

6. Test Python extension

1. Open "./src/hello_world.py"
2. Right-click anywhere in the editor window and select Run Python File in Terminal
3. You should see something like this:

Hello World!

Python version: 3.9.2 (tags/v3.9.2:1a79785, Feb 19 2021, 13:44:55) [MSC v.1928 64 bit (AMD64)]

7. Install and setup auto complete/intelli sense modules for Blender python API

1. Download or clone https://github.com/Korchy/blender_autocomplete
2. Add to User Settings:

"python.autoComplete.extraPaths": [
"<PATH_TO_BLENDER_AUTOCOMPLETE>/blender_autocomplete/2.93"
],
"python.analysis.extraPaths": [
    "<PATH_TO_BLENDER_AUTOCOMPLETE>/blender_autocomplete/2.93"
],
"python.linting.pylintArgs": [
    "--init-hook",
    "import sys; sys.path.append('<PATH_TO_BLENDER_AUTOCOMPLETE>,/blender_autocomplete/2.93')"
],

8. Test script within Blender

1. Open the blender_coding.blend file with Blender
2. Toggle console:
3. Run the blender_hello_world.py script, it should display the blender version in the console window

9. Setup remote debugging

TODO!