diff --git a/tools/blenvy/TODO.md b/tools/blenvy/TODO.md
index 5e39d7c..a362344 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/TODO.md
+++ b/tools/blenvy/TODO.md
@@ -65,10 +65,10 @@ Components:
         - [ ] handle missing types in registry for keys & values
 
     - [ ] Add correct upgrade handling from individual component to bevy_components
-    - [ ] Settings handling:
-        - [ ] move saveable settings out to a settings file
-        - [ ] update save & load
-        - [ ] add handling of polling frequency & enabling
+    - [x] Settings handling:
+        - [x] move saveable settings out to a settings file
+        - [x] update save & load
+        - [x] add handling of polling frequency & enabling
 
 
 General things to solve:
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ General issues:
 - [x] fix auto export workflow
 - [ ] should we write the previous _xxx data only AFTER a sucessfull export only ?
 - [x] add hashing of modifiers/ geometry nodes in serialize scene
-- [ ] add ability to FORCE export specific blueprints & levels
+- [x] add ability to FORCE export specific blueprints & levels
 - [ ] undo after a save removes any saved "serialized scene" data ? DIG into this
 - [ ] handle scene renames between saves (breaks diffing)
 - [ ] change scene selector to work on actual scenes aka to deal with renamed scenes
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/blueprints/get_blueprints_to_export.py b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/blueprints/get_blueprints_to_export.py
index 235295d..1306591 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/blueprints/get_blueprints_to_export.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/blueprints/get_blueprints_to_export.py
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@
 from blenvy.core.scene_helpers import get_main_and_library_scenes
 from blenvy.blueprints.blueprint_helpers import find_blueprints_not_on_disk
 
-# TODO: this should also take the split/embed mode into account: if a nested collection changes AND embed is active, its container collection should also be exported
+
+def is_blueprint_always_export(blueprint):
+    return blueprint.collection['always_export'] if 'always_export' in blueprint.collection else False
+
+# this also takes the split/embed mode into account: if a nested collection changes AND embed is active, its container collection should also be exported
 def get_blueprints_to_export(changes_per_scene, changed_export_parameters, blueprints_data, settings):
     export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings, "export_gltf_extension", ".glb")
     blueprints_path_full = getattr(settings,"blueprints_path_full", "")
@@ -33,8 +37,10 @@ def get_blueprints_to_export(changes_per_scene, changed_export_parameters, bluep
                 # FIXME: double check this: why are we combining these two ?
                 changed_blueprints += changed_local_blueprints
 
+        # also deal with blueprints that are always marked as "always_export"
+        blueprints_always_export = [blueprint for blueprint in internal_blueprints if is_blueprint_always_export(blueprint)]
        
-        blueprints_to_export =  list(set(changed_blueprints + blueprints_not_on_disk))
+        blueprints_to_export =  list(set(changed_blueprints + blueprints_not_on_disk + blueprints_always_export))
 
 
     # filter out blueprints that are not marked & deal with the different combine modes
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/prepare_and_export.py b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/prepare_and_export.py
index 51b6d39..e5c9730 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/prepare_and_export.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/prepare_and_export.py
@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ def prepare_and_export():
         # determine changed objects
         per_scene_changes = get_changes_per_scene(settings=blenvy)
         # determine changed parameters 
-        setting_changes = get_setting_changes()
+        setting_changes = False # get_setting_changes()
         # do the actual export
-        # auto_export(per_scene_changes, setting_changes, blenvy)
+        blenvy.auto_export.dry_run = 'NO_EXPORT'#'DISABLED'#
+        auto_export(per_scene_changes, setting_changes, blenvy)
 
         # cleanup 
         # TODO: these are likely obsolete
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/tracker.py b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/tracker.py
index 72772a9..9bb9b77 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/tracker.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/common/tracker.py
@@ -77,14 +77,14 @@ class AutoExportTracker(PropertyGroup):
     @classmethod
     def deps_post_update_handler(cls, scene, depsgraph):
         # print("change detection enabled", cls.change_detection_enabled)
-        print("change detected", list(map(lambda x: x.name, list(bpy.data.scenes))))
+        #print("change detected", list(map(lambda x: x.name, list(bpy.data.scenes))))
 
         """ops = bpy.context.window_manager.operators
         print("last operators", ops)
         for op in ops:
             print("operator", op)"""
-        active_operator = bpy.context.active_operator
-        if active_operator:
+        active_operator = getattr(bpy.context.active_operator, 'active_operator' , None)
+        if active_operator is not None:
             #print("Operator", active_operator.bl_label, active_operator.bl_idname)
             if active_operator.bl_idname == "EXPORT_SCENE_OT_gltf" and active_operator.gltf_export_id == "gltf_auto_export":
                 # we backup any existing gltf export settings, if there were any
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/levels/get_levels_to_export.py b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/levels/get_levels_to_export.py
index 9f7a38f..b50d45e 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/levels/get_levels_to_export.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/add_ons/auto_export/levels/get_levels_to_export.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import bpy
 from blenvy.core.scene_helpers import get_main_and_library_scenes
 from blenvy.blueprints.blueprint_helpers import check_if_blueprint_on_disk
 
@@ -33,19 +34,32 @@ def changed_object_in_scene(scene_name, changes_per_scene, blueprints_data, coll
         return level_needs_export
     return False
 
+def is_level_always_export(scene_name):
+    scene = bpy.data.scenes[scene_name]
+    return scene['always_export'] if 'always_export' in scene else False
 
-# this also takes the split/embed mode into account: if a collection instance changes AND embed is active, its container level/world should also be exported
-def get_levels_to_export(changes_per_scene, changed_export_parameters, blueprints_data, settings):
+def should_level_be_exported(scene_name, changed_export_parameters, changes_per_scene, blueprints_data, settings):
     export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings, "export_gltf_extension")
     levels_path_full = getattr(settings, "levels_path_full")
 
     change_detection = getattr(settings.auto_export, "change_detection")
     collection_instances_combine_mode = getattr(settings.auto_export, "collection_instances_combine_mode")
 
+    # the list of conditions to determine IF a level should be exported or not
+    return (
+        not change_detection 
+        or changed_export_parameters 
+        or is_level_always_export(scene_name) 
+        or scene_name in changes_per_scene.keys() 
+        or changed_object_in_scene(scene_name, changes_per_scene, blueprints_data, collection_instances_combine_mode) 
+        or not check_if_blueprint_on_disk(scene_name, levels_path_full, export_gltf_extension) 
+    )
+
+# this also takes the split/embed mode into account: if a collection instance changes AND embed is active, its container level/world should also be exported
+def get_levels_to_export(changes_per_scene, changed_export_parameters, blueprints_data, settings):
     [main_scene_names, level_scenes, library_scene_names, library_scenes] = get_main_and_library_scenes(settings)
- 
     # determine list of main scenes to export
     # we have more relaxed rules to determine if the main scenes have changed : any change is ok, (allows easier handling of changes, render settings etc)
-    main_scenes_to_export = [scene_name for scene_name in main_scene_names if not change_detection or changed_export_parameters or scene_name in changes_per_scene.keys() or changed_object_in_scene(scene_name, changes_per_scene, blueprints_data, collection_instances_combine_mode) or not check_if_blueprint_on_disk(scene_name, levels_path_full, export_gltf_extension) ]
+    main_scenes_to_export = [scene_name for scene_name in main_scene_names if should_level_be_exported(scene_name, changed_export_parameters, changes_per_scene, blueprints_data, settings)]
 
     return (main_scenes_to_export)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/assets/asset_helpers.py b/tools/blenvy/assets/asset_helpers.py
index 64f5a26..4484eca 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/assets/asset_helpers.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/assets/asset_helpers.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ def get_user_assets(scene_or_collection):
     return user_assets
 
 def get_generated_assets(scene_or_collection):
-    generated_assets = []
+    generated_assets = getattr(scene_or_collection, 'generated_assets', [])
     return generated_assets
 
 def get_user_assets_as_list(scene_or_collection):
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_registry.py b/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_registry.py
index 24ab2ab..5a32300 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_registry.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_registry.py
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ class AssetsRegistry(PropertyGroup):
     def register(cls):
         bpy.types.Scene.user_assets = CollectionProperty(name="user assets", type=Asset)
         bpy.types.Collection.user_assets = CollectionProperty(name="user assets", type=Asset) 
+
+        bpy.types.Scene.generated_assets = CollectionProperty(name="generated assets", type=Asset)
+        bpy.types.Collection.generated_assets = CollectionProperty(name="generated assets", type=Asset) 
+
         bpy.types.WindowManager.assets_registry = PointerProperty(type=AssetsRegistry)
 
 
@@ -49,6 +53,9 @@ class AssetsRegistry(PropertyGroup):
         del bpy.types.Scene.user_assets
         del bpy.types.Collection.user_assets
 
+        del bpy.types.Scene.generated_assets
+        del bpy.types.Collection.generated_assets
+
     def add_asset(self, name, type, path, internal): # internal means it cannot be edited by the user, aka auto generated
         in_list = [asset for asset in self.assets_list if (asset["path"] == path)]
         in_list = len(in_list) > 0
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_scan.py b/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_scan.py
index 254a9db..c3564b0 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_scan.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/assets/assets_scan.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def get_userTextures():
 
 def get_blueprint_assets_tree(blueprint, blueprints_data, parent, settings):
     blueprints_path = getattr(settings, "blueprints_path")
-    export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings, "export_gltf_extension")
+    export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings.auto_export, "export_gltf_extension", ".glb")
     assets_list = []
     
 
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ def get_blueprint_assets_tree(blueprint, blueprints_data, parent, settings):
 
 def get_main_scene_assets_tree(main_scene, blueprints_data, settings):
     blueprints_path =  getattr(settings, "blueprints_path")
-    export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings, "export_gltf_extension")
+    export_gltf_extension = getattr(settings.auto_export, "export_gltf_extension", ".glb")
     blueprint_instance_names_for_scene = blueprints_data.blueprint_instances_per_main_scene.get(main_scene.name, None)
 
     assets_list = get_user_assets_as_list(main_scene)
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/assets/ui.py b/tools/blenvy/assets/ui.py
index 5991c56..8693d62 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/assets/ui.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/assets/ui.py
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@ from .assets_scan import get_main_scene_assets_tree
 from .asset_helpers import get_user_assets, does_asset_exist
 
 def draw_assets(layout, name, title, asset_registry, target_type, target_name, editable=True, user_assets= [], generated_assets = []):
+    number_of_user_assets = len(user_assets)
+    number_of_generated_assets = len(generated_assets)
+
     header, panel = layout.panel(f"assets{name}", default_closed=False)
-    header.label(text=title, icon="ASSET_MANAGER")
+    header.label(text=title + f"({number_of_user_assets + number_of_generated_assets})", icon="ASSET_MANAGER")
 
     if panel:
         if editable:
@@ -92,9 +95,8 @@ class Blenvy_assets(bpy.types.Panel):
             #print("dfs")
             for scene_selector in blenvy.main_scenes:
                 scene = bpy.data.scenes[scene_selector.name]
-                #get_main_scene_assets_tree(scene, blueprints_data, settings)
                 user_assets = get_user_assets(scene)
-                #print("user assets", user_assets, scene)
+                
                 row = panel.row()
                 row.prop(scene, "always_export")
 
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/blueprints/blueprints_registry.py b/tools/blenvy/blueprints/blueprints_registry.py
index 84f8b06..bee3536 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/blueprints/blueprints_registry.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/blueprints/blueprints_registry.py
@@ -72,6 +72,3 @@ class BlueprintsRegistry(PropertyGroup):
         blueprints_data = blueprints_scan(level_scenes, library_scenes, settings)
         self.blueprints_data = blueprints_data
         return blueprints_data
-        #print("bla", self.blueprints_data)
-        """for blueprint in blueprints_data.blueprints:
-            self.add_blueprint(blueprint)"""
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/blueprints/operators.py b/tools/blenvy/blueprints/operators.py
index 949272c..fb80a2c 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/blueprints/operators.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/blueprints/operators.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import os
 import bpy
 from bpy_types import (Operator)
 from bpy.props import (StringProperty)
+from blenvy.core.helpers_collections import set_active_collection
 
 class OT_select_blueprint(Operator):
     """Select blueprint """
@@ -27,7 +28,8 @@ class OT_select_blueprint(Operator):
                 bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='DESELECT')
                 bpy.context.window.scene = scene
                 bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = None
-                bpy.context.view_layer.active_layer_collection = bpy.context.view_layer.layer_collection.children[self.blueprint_collection_name]
+                set_active_collection(scene, self.blueprint_collection_name)
+                #bpy.context.view_layer.active_layer_collection = bpy.context.view_layer.layer_collection.children[self.blueprint_collection_name]
                 #bpy.context.view_layer.collections.active = collection
                 #            bpy.context.view_layer.active_layer_collection = collection
                 """for o in collection.objects:
diff --git a/tools/blenvy/levels/ui.py b/tools/blenvy/levels/ui.py
index bf54728..19149ba 100644
--- a/tools/blenvy/levels/ui.py
+++ b/tools/blenvy/levels/ui.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 import bpy
-from ..assets.assets_scan import get_main_scene_assets_tree
-from ..assets.asset_helpers import get_user_assets
+from ..assets.asset_helpers import get_generated_assets, get_user_assets
 from ..assets.ui import draw_assets
 
 class Blenvy_levels(bpy.types.Panel):
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@ class Blenvy_levels(bpy.types.Panel):
 
             if panel:
                 user_assets = get_user_assets(scene)
+                generated_assets =  get_generated_assets(scene)
                 row = panel.row()
                 #row.label(text="row")
                 """col = row.column()
@@ -54,23 +54,8 @@ class Blenvy_levels(bpy.types.Panel):
 
                 col = split.column()
 
-                scene_assets_panel = draw_assets(layout=col, name=f"{scene.name}_assets", title=f"Assets", asset_registry=asset_registry, user_assets=user_assets, target_type="SCENE", target_name=scene.name)
+                scene_assets_panel = draw_assets(layout=col, name=f"{scene.name}_assets", title=f"Assets", asset_registry=asset_registry, user_assets=user_assets, generated_assets=generated_assets, target_type="SCENE", target_name=scene.name)
 
     
         settings = {"blueprints_path": "blueprints", "export_gltf_extension": ".glb"}
         settings = SimpleNamespace(**settings)
-
-        """if panel:
-            for scene_selector in blenvy.main_scenes:
-                scene = bpy.data.scenes[scene_selector.name]
-                #get_main_scene_assets_tree(scene, blueprints_data, settings)
-                user_assets = get_user_assets(scene)
-                #print("user assets", user_assets, scene)
-                row = panel.row()
-                header.prop(scene, "always_export")
-
-                sub_header, sub_panel = row.box().panel(f"assets{name}", default_closed=False)
-
-
-                scene_assets_panel = draw_assets(layout=sub_panel, name=scene.name, title=f"{scene.name} Assets", asset_registry=asset_registry, user_assets=user_assets, target_type="SCENE", target_name=scene.name)
-                """
\ No newline at end of file