Blender
| Author: | Blender Foundation |
|---|---|
| Operating systems: | Any Major |
| Programming languages: | C, C++, Python |
| Software type: | 3D Modelling |
| File Formats: | .blend |
| Version: | 3.3 LTS |
| Date of latest version: | 2022-09-07 |
| Download: | https://www.blender.org/ |
Blender is an open-source 3D modelling software available across all major operating systems. Its latest LTS version is Blender 3.3, which was released in September 2022.
Addons
Blender features an addon system that allows running custom scripts that interact with Blender's Python API. This Python API underwent a major rework in Blender 2.8, meaning that plugins designed for Blender 2.79 or earlier need explicit porting and updating.
Various addons that were specifically designed for Mario Kart 8 have been released in the past. Several of these have become obsolete with the release of Track Studio or were designed for Blender 2.79. There are also more general addons available that are also useful for track modelling, such as those that aid the creation of good UV maps.
Blender 2.79 Addons
The following plugins were designed for Blender 2.79:
- io_scene_bfres and io_scene_mk8muunt: Load game models, Import and export BYAML files. Obsoleted by Track Studio.
- Mario Kart 8 Blender Path XML Exporter: Export path data, such as lap paths, gravity paths, or glide paths. Obsoleted by Track Studio.
- blender-mk8-bake-shadows: Bake shadows and ambient occlusion and combine them in the correct channels of a single image. Bakes are made using the internal Blender Renderer.
Blender 3.x Addons
The following addons are available in newer version of Blender:
- MK8-Baking-Tool: Bake shadows and move it to the correct channel of an image. Bakes are made using the Cycles renderer. Baking multiple meshes at the same time is currently not supported.
- Blender Baking Add-on: Bake shadows, ambient occlusion and lightmaps quicker with similar results as Nintendo's bakes. It is based off Rodmjorgeh's Mario Kart 8 Lighting Guide.