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?
