A Structural Modelling and Analysis Addon for Blender [PROJECT UPDATE]

Blender is a fantastic all round 3D modelling tool. Although mainly used by 3D artists, it also has a lot to offer the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. For example, take a look at the ambitious Bonsai (formerly BlenderBIM) project which aims to provide a full BIM modelling workflow right inside Blender. This is all achieved through an addon!

We’ve also used Blender in a number of EngineeringSkills courses - if you’re interested in covering the basics of structural modelling in Blender, take a look at this course.

3D Space Frame Analysis using Python and Blender

Imagine, build and analyse 3D space frames using the Direct Stiffness Method in Python

After completing this course...

You’ll understand how to apply the Direct Stiffness Method to solve 3D space frame structures.
You’ll have your own analysis programme to identify displacements, reactions and internal member forces for any 3D space frame.
You’ll be able to use Blender, a powerful open source 3D modelling software to build, visualise and export your structural models.

Blender addons are a great way of extending the functionality of Blender. They can take the form of simple utilities or tools that help speed up your workflow, all the way up to tools that add massive additional functionality to the software.

Project update

Back in August of 2024, I announced that I had started exploring the idea of building a structural analysis addon for Blender. You can take a look at my original announcement video here. At the time I was thinking mainly about building a simple modelling helper tool and wanted to guage interest in the addon and an EngineeringSkills course on how to build addons for Blender.

The response was really positive, so in the intervening months, here and there, I've been eeked out time to work on the project. Since my original announcement, I've decided to develop the addon into a full structural modelling and analysis tool.

The update video above will give a rundown of the current state of progress and the anticipated timelines for release of the addon and the course on how to actually build it.

While the addon will itself be a really useful tool, I think that knowing how to build your own addons is going to be the most valuable thing you can take away from this project. We all have different ways of working and different problems to solve, so being able to whip up a quick addon to anhance the functionality of Blender for your own particular workflow is huge!

Blender addon development using a combination of Serpens (node-based development) and Blender's Python scripting API.

An ongoing project

The course will focus on building V1 of the StructureWorks addon (you'll also get a complete copy of the addon with the course). This will include the ability to analyse 2D and 3D truss structures. However, my plan is to continue developing the addon beyond what we cover in the course.

Developing and maintaining the StructureWorks addon will become a core part of the EngineeringSkills offering.

Ultimately you can expect the addon to grow into a complete structural analysis tool for Blender. Version 2 (releasing later in 2025) will likely include the ability to analyse 2D and 3D frame structures. Future versions will continue to incopporate analyses from the library of EngineeringSkills courses - basically, the model is...

...cover the theory in an EngineeringSkills course, then build it into StructureWorks as an easily deployable analysis tool.

So, needless to say, it's going to be a busy 2025!

Accessing the addon and course

As usual, EngineeringSkills members will have full access to the addon and course. Addon updates will also be available to all members with an active subscription, at no extra cost. Checkout annual and lifetime membership options here and here.

📢 SIGNUP FOR LAUNCH NOTIFICATION

If you’re interested in accessing the StructureWorks addon and/or taking this course, head over to the course page and drop your email in the box at the top of the page.