🧰 StructureWorks...
...an addon for Structural Analysis inside Blender
3D truss analysis using StructureWorks.
Blender is a fantastic all-around 3D modelling tool. Although traditionally used by 3D artists, it’s gaining a dedicated following among the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) community…and for good reason!
The StructureWorks addon allows you to perform structural analysis inside Blender. This allows you to take advantage of Blender's powerful 3D modelling capabilities to create your own structural models, and then analyse them using the addon.
Geometry Nodes + StructureWorks Grasshopper-ish 🦗
Geometry Nodes is a powerful node-based parametric modelling workflow available inside Blender. In the video below, I demonstrate how we can combine the power of parameteric modelling with the StructureWorks addon to create a Grasshopper-like workflow inside Blender.
Installation and basic usage
StructureWorks is installed like any other Blender addon. After downloading the addon, simply install it using Blender's preferences panel. You can watch the video below for a step-by-step demonstration.
The video below also demonstrates basic usage of the addon. In it, we'll briefly run through the analysis of each of the 4 demo structures included with the addon.
Learn how to build this addon!
The StructureWorks addon is a great example of how you can extend Blender's functionality to suit your own needs. If you're interested in learning how to build your own Blender addons, check out our course below!
The addon is made available as part of the course, so if you want to download the current version of the complete addon, you should enrol in the course 👇
This will grant you access to all future updates and improvements to the addon!
Building Engineering Modelling and Analysis Addons in Blender
Unleash the power of Blender by learning how to build custom tools to complement your workflows
After completing this course...
- You’ll be able to build custom logic directly inside Blender and build your own sharable tools in the form of addons.
- You’ll understand how to add custom UI elements such as buttons, menus and panels into the Blender interface.
- You’ll be comfortable using a combination of Serpens, the intuitive and user-friendly node-based development workflow and custom scripting to develop your addons.
- You’ll understand how to implement custom analysis code in your addon and leverage Blender’s 3D capabilities for modelling and visualising structural behaviour.
Release 0.1.0 - March 2025
This is the first release of the addon. This version corresponds to what we build in the accompanying course, Building Engineering Modelling and Analysis Addons in Blender. Future releases will extend the functionality further.
Blender compatibility: tested in versions 4.2.6 to 4.3.2
0.1.0 Features
- 2D and 3D truss analysis (axially-loaded structural members only)
- Specify and assign cross-sections and materials to individual members
- Visualise axial forces heat maps
- Visualise deflected shapes
- Export model data and results to CSV
- Pie-menu for quick access to model and results visualisation controls
- Demo structure library