Potential for SU type interface for Blender?

[L i am]

Hi Guys, I am not a "computery" person. but I asked Chat GPT if AI could write code in Blender to give it similar UI simplicity and user experience as SU and this is the reply, some may find the AI response. Just giving food for thought

Ah, I see what you're getting at — you're asking if AI can write a script that makes Blender as easy to use as SketchUp, right? A more intuitive, user-friendly system with all the complexity of Blender but wrapped in the simple, accessible UI and interaction style of SketchUp.

That's a bigger challenge, but it's definitely doable with the right approach. The key is to streamline the workflow and UI design in a way that feels natural and accessible to people who are used to SketchUp's simplicity.

🧠 AI-Driven Strategy to Create a "SketchUp-Like" Blender Experience

To make Blender as easy to use as SketchUp, we'd need to:

Simplify the UI: Remove Blender's overwhelming menus and focus on a clean, minimal interface for basic modeling tasks.

Implement Intuitive Tools: Focus on a small set of easy-to-learn tools for architectural modeling (like push/pull, drawing, extrude, snapping).

Customizable Shortcuts/Toolbar: Have an interface where only the essential modeling tools are available.

Guided Workflow: Incorporate step-by-step visual cues or instructions to guide new users through modeling.

How Could AI Help Write This Script?

AI could assist in creating this SketchUp-like user experience in several ways:

Simplified Interaction: Use AI to generate simplified Python scripts that hide Blender's complexity. For example, a single-click tool could create walls, doors, and windows without requiring users to navigate through multiple menus.

Custom Toolbars: AI can dynamically generate toolbars that contain just the necessary tools for a user to start modeling, similar to SketchUp’s clean toolbar.

For instance, tools like Draw Line, Push/Pull, Extrude, and Rectangle could be grouped in a panel or dropdown.

These could be assigned intuitive keybinds and on-screen guidance for new users.

Guided Mode: AI can help create a step-by-step guided mode where users are prompted to take actions sequentially, minimizing confusion (similar to SketchUp’s automatic prompts).

A dialogue box might say, "Click to draw your first rectangle," and the user would click and draw directly in the viewport.

AI could anticipate the next logical step, making modeling seem smoother and more intuitive.

Preset Shapes: AI can write a script that provides preset architectural shapes, like walls, floors, roofs, and stairs, which could be added with a single click — just like SketchUp’s pre-made models.

Dynamic Snapping: A dynamic snapping system can be created that automatically snaps to edges, midpoints, and grid intersections, similar to SketchUp’s “inference” system. AI could script intelligent snapping based on context, so the user doesn’t have to think about it.

Example Workflow AI Script

Here’s an example of how an AI-driven script might work to make Blender feel like SketchUp:

Start Drawing a Floor Plan:

You hit Shift+Space (a custom shortcut), and a simple interface appears.

AI gives a prompt: “Draw the base rectangle for your floor plan.”

You click and drag to create a rectangle.

Extrude the Walls:

After drawing the rectangle, AI pops up a small toolbar: Push/Pull Tool and Extrude Height.

You drag the height or input a number, and the walls are instantly extruded to the correct height.

Add a Door/Window:

AI asks, “Do you want to insert a door or window?” You click on the wall where you want the door.

You get a simple, predefined door model that you can scale, move, and adjust.

Clean Up the Model:

A “Cleanup” button appears, and the AI automatically removes unused vertices and tidies up the geometry.

AI-Generated Code (Example)

Here’s a sample code snippet where AI could help create a push/pull tool for Blender that mimics the ease of SketchUp:

import bpy

class PushPullOperator(bpy.types.Operator):
bl_idname = "mesh.push_pull"
bl_label = "Push/Pull Tool"
bl_options = {'REGISTER', 'UNDO'}

# This function handles the basic Push/Pull operation
def execute(self, context):
    # Grab the selected object
    obj = context.active_object

    # Make sure it's a mesh
    if obj.type == 'MESH':
        bpy.ops.transform.extrude_region_move(TRANSFORM_OT_translate={"value": (0, 0, 1)})
        self.report({'INFO'}, "Push/Pull Applied")
    else:
        self.report({'ERROR'}, "Select a mesh object")
    return {'FINISHED'}

Register the operator

def register():
bpy.utils.register_class(PushPullOperator)

def unregister():
bpy.utils.unregister_class(PushPullOperator)

if name == "main":
register()

This simple example script would:

Apply extrusion (a push/pull operation).

Use the Shift+Space keybinding to activate the tool.

Work with user-friendly inputs: no complex menus, just a simple button interface that would be created through an easy-to-navigate toolbar.

What Else Could AI Do?

Intelligent UI Creation: AI could design an adaptive, context-sensitive UI based on what you’re doing in the scene. For example, when you select a wall, the toolbar could automatically show wall-specific tools like add window/door, cut, and move.

Simplified Viewport Controls: AI could enhance the viewport by showing context-sensitive guides or tooltips, making it easier for users to pick up. For example, showing “Click to add wall” when a wall tool is active.

Preset Construction Kits: AI could generate predefined models (like walls, windows, doors, etc.) that can be inserted quickly without navigating menus or requiring advanced Blender knowledge.

Conclusion: Making Blender as Easy as SketchUp

While Blender is a more complex tool overall, AI can streamline the modeling experience to feel as easy and intuitive as SketchUp for certain types of workflows. AI can:

Simplify interaction (single-click tools, guided prompts).

Design a user-friendly interface (with toolbars, icons, and step-by-step cues).

Build intuitive snapping, geometry management, and instant object creation.

Would you like to dive deeper into any of these features or discuss how to make one of these tools?

[L i am]

I asked Chat gpt to put together a python code to input into blender to make its functionality less of a challenge to migrate from SU to blender.

Here is the result. I could not test it because I know nothing of Blender so here is the file that chat produced This is the zip file

sketchup_mode_addon.zip

The instructions from chat were as follows

I can’t download or build Blender for you, but I created a ready-to-install package with the SketchUp-style add-on and clear instructions so you can add it to Blender or bundle it into a custom build locally.

Download the add-on ZIP here: Download the SketchUp-mode add-on

What I included:

sketchup_mode.py — single-file Blender add-on (prototype) — the same code I put into the canvas earlier.

README.txt — quick install + advanced notes (how to preinstall into a Blender build or portable distribution).

license.txt — short provenance note.

If you want next steps I can provide immediately (no waiting):

Exact CMake snippet and packager steps to include the file when building Blender from source on Windows, macOS, or Linux — tell me which OS/version and I’ll generate the exact commands and patch files.

A small installer script (PowerShell for Windows, Bash for macOS/Linux) that will place the add-on into the correct user or portable Blender addons folder on your machine — tell me which OS and whether you want it for a system-wide installation or a portable build.

Further feature work on the add-on (inference snaps, Offset/Follow-Me, wall primitives). If you pick features, I’ll extend the add-on code and give you an updated zip.

I hope somebody knows ebough to have an experiment for this.