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BLBlender

Documen

by John Roper·Workflow

Images © John Roper. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Documen earns its place in the superhive library for turning .blend file details into a shareable HTML overview, with a settings difference checker aimed at catching problems before files reach the render farm.

What is Documen?

Documen is a Blender add-on that exports information about a .blend file into a mobile-responsive HTML file, so you can review your files from anywhere. The export can include quick info about the file, an example rendered frame, and detailed render settings.

A frame-board lists each keyframe or marker in the file along with information about it. Documen also reports the global output path and any file output nodes, the images used in the file, and a list of files linked to it. A settings difference checker compares one file's render settings against another's. You work through it in three steps: make your art, choose the info, then export, all from a panel in the 3D View sidebar.

For larger setups, multi-file export gives an overview of an entire production, and a command line script generator supports command line workflows and running Blender on a server. You can also add a custom, non-distracting watermark with your own message to each outputted file.

Who is Documen best for?

Documen is best for blender users reviewing .blend files, render settings and outputs before sending them to a render farm, including across multiple files or on a server.

How much does Documen cost?

Documen is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Exports .blend file information to a mobile-responsive HTML file
  • Includes quick file info, an example rendered frame, and detailed render settings
  • Frame-board that lists each keyframe or marker with information about it
  • Settings difference checker comparing render settings between two files
  • Reports the global output path, file output nodes, images used, and linked files
  • Multi-file export plus a command line script generator for server workflows
  • Custom, non-distracting watermark with your own message

Tags

#documentation#HTML export#render settings#blend file#watermark#multi-file export#render review

Frequently asked questions

Does Documen work with Blender 2.8?

Documen lists Blender 2.8 as its supported version, so that's the release it's built for. It runs from a panel in the 3D View sidebar, where you choose the information you want and export it. If you're on a newer Blender release, check the developer's page to confirm current compatibility before relying on it, since the version noted here points specifically to 2.8. Confirming this up front avoids surprises when you go to export documentation from your own files.

How do I create documentation with Documen?

Documen works in three short steps: make your art, choose the info you want, and export a file. The tool lives in a panel in the 3D View sidebar, so you select which details to include and generate a mobile-responsive HTML file from there. That file can carry quick info about the file, an example rendered frame, render settings, a frame-board of keyframes and markers, and more. Once exported, the HTML page can be reviewed wherever you are.

Can Documen handle multiple files or Blender running on a server?

Documen includes features aimed at larger workflows. Multi-file export lets you build an overview of an entire production rather than documenting one file at a time, and a command line script generator supports command line use and running Blender on a server. A settings checker helps confirm your files are set up the way they should be. Together these make it suited to reviewing many files or to server-based pipelines, not just single-scene work on a local machine.

Is Documen free to download?

Documen is listed as free in this catalog, so there's no cost to add it from here. Licensing and pricing can change over time, though, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you download. The plugin is released under the GPL license according to the details provided, which is worth noting if you plan to modify or redistribute it. For the latest and most accurate information, the developer's page is the best place to confirm.

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