feat(blenvy): reorganising & upgrade of auto_export change detection

* added new helpers to detect changes to project & settings
 * updated storage names
 * not using operator anymore
 * lots of related changes

tools/blenvy/TODO.md

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ Auto export
      - root path => relative to blend file path
      - asset path => relative to root path
      - blueprints/levels/blueprints path => relative to assets path
+ - [ ] add error handling for de/serialization of project, so that in case of error, the previous saved serialized project is thrown away
 
 
 - move out some parameters from auto export to a higher level (as they are now used in multiple places)
@@ -50,7 +51,22 @@ Blueprints:
     - [ ] decide where & when to do & store blueprints data
 
 Components:
-    - [ ] add support for adding components to collections
+    - [x] add support for adding components to collections
+    - [ ] upgrade all operators:
+        - [x] add 
+        - [x] remove
+        - [x] copy & paste
+        - [ ] OT_rename_component
+        - [ ] Fix_Component_Operator
+    - [ ] add handling for core::ops::Range<f32> & other ranges
+    - [ ] fix is_component_valid that is used in gltf_auto_export
+    - Hashmap Support
+        - [x] fix parsing of keys's type either on Bevy side (prefered) or on the Blender side 
+        - [x] fix weird issue with missing "0" property when adding new entry in empty hashmap => happens only if the values for the "setter" have never been set
+        - [ ] handle missing types in registry for keys & values
+
+    - [ ] Add correct upgrade handling from individual component to bevy_components
+
 
 General things to solve:
  - [x] save settings
@@ -67,3 +83,4 @@ General issues:
  - "parents" can only be blueprints
     - they normally need/have unique export paths (otherwise, user error, perhaps show it ?)
     - perhaps a simple hashing of the parent's path would be enought 
+ - addon-prefs => settings

tools/blenvy/__init__.py

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ from bpy.props import (StringProperty)
 
 
 # components management 
-from .bevy_components.components.operators import CopyComponentOperator, Fix_Component_Operator, OT_rename_component, RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator, RemoveComponentOperator, GenerateComponent_From_custom_property_Operator, PasteComponentOperator, AddComponentOperator, RenameHelper, Toggle_ComponentVisibility
+from .bevy_components.components.operators import CopyComponentOperator, Fix_Component_Operator, OT_rename_component, RemoveComponentFromAllItemsOperator, RemoveComponentOperator, GenerateComponent_From_custom_property_Operator, PasteComponentOperator, AddComponentOperator, RenameHelper, Toggle_ComponentVisibility
 
 from .bevy_components.registry.registry import ComponentsRegistry,MissingBevyType
 from .bevy_components.registry.operators import (COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_ALL, COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT, COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_ALL, COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT, OT_select_component_name_to_replace, OT_select_object, ReloadRegistryOperator, OT_OpenSchemaFileBrowser)
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ classes = [
     CopyComponentOperator,
     PasteComponentOperator,
     RemoveComponentOperator,
-    RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator,
+    RemoveComponentFromAllItemsOperator,
     Fix_Component_Operator,
     OT_rename_component,
     RenameHelper,

tools/blenvy/assets/operators.py

@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ class OT_Add_asset_filebrowser(Operator, ImportHelper):
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 
 
-def write_ron_assets_file(level_name, assets_hierarchy, internal_only=False):
+def write_ron_assets_file(level_name, assets_hierarchy, internal_only=False, levels_path_full="."):
     # just for testing, this uses the format of bevy_asset_loader's asset files
     '''
             ({
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ def write_ron_assets_file(level_name, assets_hierarchy, internal_only=False):
         if asset["internal"] or not internal_only:
             bla = f'\n    "{asset["name"]}": File ( path: "{asset["path"]}" ),'
             formated_assets.append(bla)
-    with open(f"testing/bevy_example/assets/assets_{level_name}.assets.ron", "w") as assets_file:
+    with open(f"{levels_path_full}/{level_name}.assets.ron", "w") as assets_file:
         assets_file.write("({")
         assets_file.writelines(formated_assets)
         assets_file.write("\n})")
@@ -200,15 +200,14 @@ class OT_test_bevy_assets(Operator):
 
     def execute(self, context):
         blenvy = context.window_manager.blenvy
+        settings = blenvy
         blueprints_registry = context.window_manager.blueprints_registry
         blueprints_registry.add_blueprints_data()
         blueprints_data = blueprints_registry.blueprints_data
 
-        settings = {"blueprints_path": "blueprints", "export_gltf_extension": ".glb"}
-        settings = SimpleNamespace(**settings)
         for scene in blenvy.main_scenes:
             assets_hierarchy = get_main_scene_assets_tree(scene, blueprints_data, settings)
             scene["assets"] = json.dumps(assets_hierarchy)
-            write_ron_assets_file(scene.name, assets_hierarchy, internal_only=False)
+            write_ron_assets_file(scene.name, assets_hierarchy, internal_only = False, levels_path_full = blenvy.levels_path_full)
 
         return {'FINISHED'}

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/components/metadata.py

@@ -52,23 +52,26 @@ class ComponentsMeta(PropertyGroup):
 
     @classmethod
     def register(cls):
+        # you can add components to both objects & collections
         bpy.types.Object.components_meta = PointerProperty(type=ComponentsMeta)
+        bpy.types.Collection.components_meta = PointerProperty(type=ComponentsMeta)
 
     @classmethod
     def unregister(cls):
         del bpy.types.Object.components_meta
+        del bpy.types.Collection.components_meta
 
-# remove no longer valid metadata from object
+# remove no longer valid metadata from item
-def cleanup_invalid_metadata(object):
+def cleanup_invalid_metadata(item):
-    bevy_components = get_bevy_components(object)
+    bevy_components = get_bevy_components(item)
     if len(bevy_components.keys()) == 0: # no components, bail out
         return
-    components_metadata = object.components_meta.components
+    components_metadata = item.components_meta.components
     to_remove = []
     for index, component_meta in enumerate(components_metadata):
         long_name = component_meta.long_name
         if long_name not in bevy_components.keys():
-            print("component:", long_name, "present in metadata, but not in object")
+            print("component:", long_name, "present in metadata, but not in item")
             to_remove.append(index)
     for index in to_remove:
         components_metadata.remove(index)
@@ -81,20 +84,22 @@ def find_component_definition_from_long_name(long_name):
 
 # FIXME: feels a bit heavy duty, should only be done
 # if the components panel is active ?
-def ensure_metadata_for_all_objects():
+def ensure_metadata_for_all_items():
     for object in bpy.data.objects:
         add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(object)
+    for collection in bpy.data.collections:
+        add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(collection)
 
-# returns whether an object has custom properties without matching metadata
+# returns whether an item has custom properties without matching metadata
-def do_object_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata(object):
+def do_item_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata(item):
-    components_metadata = getattr(object, "components_meta", None)
+    components_metadata = getattr(item, "components_meta", None)
     if components_metadata == None:
         return True
 
     components_metadata = components_metadata.components
 
     missing_metadata = False
-    for component_name in get_bevy_components(object) :
+    for component_name in get_bevy_components(item) :
         if component_name == "components_meta":
             continue
         component_meta =  next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_metadata), None)
@@ -111,72 +116,72 @@ def do_object_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata(object):
 
 import json
 
-def upsert_bevy_component(object, long_name, value):
+def upsert_bevy_component(item, long_name, value):
-    if not 'bevy_components' in object:
+    if not 'bevy_components' in item:
-        object['bevy_components'] = '{}'
+        item['bevy_components'] = '{}'
-    bevy_components = json.loads(object['bevy_components'])
+    bevy_components = json.loads(item['bevy_components'])
     bevy_components[long_name] = value
-    object['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(bevy_components)
+    item['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(bevy_components)
-    #object['bevy_components'][long_name] = value # Sigh, this does not work, hits Blender's 63 char length limit
+    #item['bevy_components'][long_name] = value # Sigh, this does not work, hits Blender's 63 char length limit
 
-def remove_bevy_component(object, long_name):
+def remove_bevy_component(item, long_name):
-    if 'bevy_components' in object:
+    if 'bevy_components' in item:
-        bevy_components = json.loads(object['bevy_components'])
+        bevy_components = json.loads(item['bevy_components'])
         if long_name in bevy_components:
             del bevy_components[long_name]
-            object['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(bevy_components)
+            item['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(bevy_components)
-    if long_name in object:
+    if long_name in item:
-        del object[long_name]
+        del item[long_name]
 
-def get_bevy_components(object):
+def get_bevy_components(item):
-    if 'bevy_components' in object:
+    if 'bevy_components' in item:
-        bevy_components = json.loads(object['bevy_components'])
+        bevy_components = json.loads(item['bevy_components'])
         return bevy_components
     return {}
 
-def get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, long_name):
+def get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(item, long_name):
-    bevy_components = get_bevy_components(object)
+    bevy_components = get_bevy_components(item)
     if len(bevy_components.keys()) == 0 :
         return None
     return bevy_components.get(long_name, None)
 
-def is_bevy_component_in_object(object, long_name):
+def is_bevy_component_in_item(item, long_name):
-    return get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, long_name) is not None
+    return get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(item, long_name) is not None
 
-# adds metadata to object only if it is missing
+# adds metadata to item only if it is missing
-def add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(object):
+def add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(item):
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
 
-    for component_name in get_bevy_components(object) :
+    for component_name in get_bevy_components(item) :
         if component_name == "components_meta":
             continue
-        upsert_component_in_object(object, component_name, registry)
+        upsert_component_in_item(item, component_name, registry)
                     
-# adds a component to an object (including metadata) using the provided component definition & optional value
+# adds a component to an item (including metadata) using the provided component definition & optional value
-def add_component_to_object(object, component_definition, value=None):
+def add_component_to_item(item, component_definition, value=None):
-    cleanup_invalid_metadata(object)
+    cleanup_invalid_metadata(item)
-    if object is not None:
+    if item is not None:
-        # print("add_component_to_object", component_definition)
+        # print("add_component_to_item", component_definition)
         long_name = component_definition["long_name"]
         registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
         if not registry.has_type_infos():
             raise Exception('registry type infos have not been loaded yet or are missing !')
         definition = registry.type_infos[long_name]
         # now we use our pre_generated property groups to set the initial value of our custom property
-        (_, propertyGroup) = upsert_component_in_object(object, long_name=long_name, registry=registry)
+        (_, propertyGroup) = upsert_component_in_item(item, long_name=long_name, registry=registry)
         if value == None:
             value = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, definition, registry, None)
         else: # we have provided a value, that is a raw , custom property value, to set the value of the propertyGroup
-            object["__disable__update"] = True # disable update callback while we set the values of the propertyGroup "tree" (as a propertyGroup can contain other propertyGroups) 
+            item["__disable__update"] = True # disable update callback while we set the values of the propertyGroup "tree" (as a propertyGroup can contain other propertyGroups) 
             property_group_value_from_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, definition, registry, value)
-            del object["__disable__update"]
+            del item["__disable__update"]
 
-        upsert_bevy_component(object, long_name, value)
+        upsert_bevy_component(item, long_name, value)
        
-def upsert_component_in_object(object, long_name, registry):
+def upsert_component_in_item(item, long_name, registry):
-    # print("upsert_component_in_object", object, "component name", component_name)
+    # print("upsert_component_in_item", item, "component name", component_name)
     # TODO: upsert this part too ?
-    target_components_metadata = object.components_meta.components
+    target_components_metadata = item.components_meta.components
     component_definition = registry.type_infos.get(long_name, None)
     if component_definition != None:
         short_name = component_definition["short_name"]
@@ -213,15 +218,15 @@ def upsert_component_in_object(object, long_name, registry):
             component_meta.enabled = False
             component_meta.invalid = True
             component_meta.invalid_details = "component not present in the schema, possibly renamed? Disabling for now"
-        # property_group_value_from_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, object[component_name])
+        # property_group_value_from_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, item[component_name])
 
         return (component_meta, propertyGroup)
     else:
         return(None, None)
 
 
-def copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_object(source_object, target_object, component_name, registry):
+def copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_item(source_item, target_item, component_name, registry):
-    if source_object == None or target_object == None or component_name == None:
+    if source_item == None or target_item == None or component_name == None:
         raise Exception('missing input data, cannot copy component propertryGroup')
     
     component_definition = find_component_definition_from_long_name(component_name)
@@ -230,82 +235,82 @@ def copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_object(source_object, target_object, co
 
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
 
-    source_components_metadata = source_object.components_meta.components
+    source_components_metadata = source_item.components_meta.components
     source_componentMeta = next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == long_name, source_components_metadata), None)
     # matching component means we already have this type of component 
     source_propertyGroup = getattr(source_componentMeta, property_group_name)
 
-    # now deal with the target object
+    # now deal with the target item
-    (_, target_propertyGroup) = upsert_component_in_object(target_object, component_name, registry)
+    (_, target_propertyGroup) = upsert_component_in_item(target_item, component_name, registry)
-    # add to object
+    # add to item
     value = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(target_propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, None)
-    upsert_bevy_component(target_object, long_name, value)
+    upsert_bevy_component(target_item, long_name, value)
 
     # copy the values over 
     for field_name in source_propertyGroup.field_names:
         if field_name in source_propertyGroup:
             target_propertyGroup[field_name] = source_propertyGroup[field_name]
-    apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties(target_object)
+    apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties(target_item)
 
 
 # TODO: move to propgroups ?
-def apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties(object):
+def apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties(item):
-    cleanup_invalid_metadata(object)
+    cleanup_invalid_metadata(item)
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
-    for component_name in get_bevy_components(object) :
+    for component_name in get_bevy_components(item) :
         """if component_name == "components_meta":
             continue"""
-        (_, propertyGroup) =  upsert_component_in_object(object, component_name, registry)
+        (_, propertyGroup) =  upsert_component_in_item(item, component_name, registry)
         component_definition = find_component_definition_from_long_name(component_name)
         if component_definition != None:
             value = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, None)
-            upsert_bevy_component(object=object, long_name=component_name, value=value)
+            upsert_bevy_component(item=item, long_name=component_name, value=value)
 
 # apply component value(s) to custom property of a single component
-def apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties_for_component(object, component_name):
+def apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties_for_component(item, component_name):
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
-    (_, propertyGroup) =  upsert_component_in_object(object, component_name, registry)
+    (_, propertyGroup) =  upsert_component_in_item(item, component_name, registry)
     component_definition = find_component_definition_from_long_name(component_name)
     if component_definition != None:
         value = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, None)
-        object[component_name] = value
+        item[component_name] = value
     
-    components_metadata = object.components_meta.components
+    components_metadata = item.components_meta.components
     componentMeta = next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_metadata), None)
     if componentMeta:
         componentMeta.invalid = False
         componentMeta.invalid_details = ""
 
 
-def apply_customProperty_values_to_object_propertyGroups(object):
+def apply_customProperty_values_to_item_propertyGroups(item):
-    print("apply custom properties to ", object.name)
+    print("apply custom properties to ", item.name)
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
-    for component_name in get_bevy_components(object) :
+    for component_name in get_bevy_components(item) :
         if component_name == "components_meta":
             continue
         component_definition = find_component_definition_from_long_name(component_name)
         if component_definition != None:
             property_group_name = registry.get_propertyGroupName_from_longName(component_name)
-            components_metadata = object.components_meta.components
+            components_metadata = item.components_meta.components
             source_componentMeta = next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_metadata), None)
             # matching component means we already have this type of component 
             propertyGroup = getattr(source_componentMeta, property_group_name, None)
-            customProperty_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, component_name)
+            customProperty_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(item, component_name)
             #value = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, None)
             
-            object["__disable__update"] = True # disable update callback while we set the values of the propertyGroup "tree" (as a propertyGroup can contain other propertyGroups) 
+            item["__disable__update"] = True # disable update callback while we set the values of the propertyGroup "tree" (as a propertyGroup can contain other propertyGroups) 
             property_group_value_from_custom_property_value(propertyGroup, component_definition, registry, customProperty_value)
-            del object["__disable__update"]
+            del item["__disable__update"]
             source_componentMeta.invalid = False
             source_componentMeta.invalid_details = ""
 
-# removes the given component from the object: removes both the custom property and the matching metadata from the object
+# removes the given component from the item: removes both the custom property and the matching metadata from the item
-def remove_component_from_object(object, component_name):
+def remove_component_from_item(item, component_name):
     # remove the component value
-    remove_bevy_component(object, component_name)
+    remove_bevy_component(item, component_name)
 
     # now remove the component's metadata
-    components_metadata = getattr(object, "components_meta", None)
+    components_metadata = getattr(item, "components_meta", None)
     if components_metadata == None:
         return False
     
@@ -320,25 +325,25 @@ def remove_component_from_object(object, component_name):
         components_metadata.remove(index)
     return True
 
-def add_component_from_custom_property(object):
+def add_component_from_custom_property(item):
-    add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(object)
+    add_metadata_to_components_without_metadata(item)
-    apply_customProperty_values_to_object_propertyGroups(object)
+    apply_customProperty_values_to_item_propertyGroups(item)
 
-def rename_component(object, original_long_name, new_long_name):
+def rename_component(item, original_long_name, new_long_name):
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
     type_infos = registry.type_infos
     component_definition = type_infos[new_long_name]
 
-    component_ron_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object=object, long_name=original_long_name)
+    component_ron_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(item=item, long_name=original_long_name)
-    if component_ron_value is None and original_long_name in object:
+    if component_ron_value is None and original_long_name in item:
-        component_ron_value = object[original_long_name]
+        component_ron_value = item[original_long_name]
 
-    remove_component_from_object(object, original_long_name)
+    remove_component_from_item(item, original_long_name)
-    add_component_to_object(object, component_definition, component_ron_value)
+    add_component_to_item(item, component_definition, component_ron_value)
 
 
-def toggle_component(object, component_name):
+def toggle_component(item, component_name):
-    components_in_object = object.components_meta.components
+    components_in_item = item.components_meta.components
-    component_meta =  next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_in_object), None)
+    component_meta =  next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_in_item), None)
     if component_meta != None: 
         component_meta.visible = not component_meta.visible

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/components/operators.py

@@ -4,12 +4,13 @@ import bpy
 from bpy_types import Operator
 from bpy.props import (StringProperty)
 
-from .metadata import add_component_from_custom_property, add_component_to_object, apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties_for_component, copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_object, get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name, get_bevy_components, is_bevy_component_in_object, remove_component_from_object, rename_component, toggle_component
+from .metadata import add_component_from_custom_property, add_component_to_item, apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties_for_component, copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_item, get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name, get_bevy_components, is_bevy_component_in_item, remove_component_from_item, rename_component, toggle_component
+from ..utils import get_selected_object_or_collection
 
 class AddComponentOperator(Operator):
-    """Add Bevy component to object"""
+    """Add Bevy component to object/collection"""
     bl_idname = "object.add_bevy_component"
-    bl_label = "Add component to object Operator"
+    bl_label = "Add component to object/collection Operator"
     bl_options = {"UNDO"}
 
     component_type: StringProperty(
@@ -18,14 +19,14 @@ class AddComponentOperator(Operator):
     ) # type: ignore
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        object = context.object
+        target = get_selected_object_or_collection(context)
-        print("adding component ", self.component_type, "to object  '"+object.name+"'")
+        print("adding component ", self.component_type, "to target  '"+target.name+"'")
     
         has_component_type = self.component_type != ""
-        if has_component_type and object != None:
+        if has_component_type and target != None:
             type_infos = context.window_manager.components_registry.type_infos
             component_definition = type_infos[self.component_type]
-            add_component_to_object(object, component_definition)
+            add_component_to_item(target, component_definition)
 
         return {'FINISHED'}
 
@@ -40,28 +41,36 @@ class CopyComponentOperator(Operator):
         description="name of the component to copy",
     ) # type: ignore
 
-    source_object_name: StringProperty(
+    source_item_name: StringProperty(
-        name="source object name",
+        name="source item name",
-        description="name of the object to copy the component from",
+        description="name of the object/collection to copy the component from",
+    ) # type: ignore
+
+    source_item_type: StringProperty(
+        name="source item type",
+        description="type of the object/collection to copy the component from",
     ) # type: ignore
 
     @classmethod
     def register(cls):
         bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_component_name = StringProperty()
-        bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_object = StringProperty()
+        bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_item_name = StringProperty()
+        bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_item_type = StringProperty()
 
     @classmethod
     def unregister(cls):
         del bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_component_name
-        del bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_object
+        del bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_item_name
+        del bpy.types.WindowManager.copied_source_item_type
 
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        if self.source_component_name != '' and self.source_object_name != "":
+        if self.source_component_name != '' and self.source_item_name != "" and self.source_item_type != "":
             context.window_manager.copied_source_component_name = self.source_component_name
-            context.window_manager.copied_source_object = self.source_object_name
+            context.window_manager.copied_source_item_name = self.source_item_name
+            context.window_manager.copied_source_item_type = self.source_item_type
         else:
-            self.report({"ERROR"}, "The source object name / component name to copy a component from have not been specified")
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "The source object/collection name or component name to copy a component from have not been specified")
 
         return {'FINISHED'}
     
@@ -73,28 +82,32 @@ class PasteComponentOperator(Operator):
     bl_options = {"UNDO"}
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        source_object_name = context.window_manager.copied_source_object
+        source_item_name = context.window_manager.copied_source_item_name
-        source_object = bpy.data.objects.get(source_object_name, None)
+        source_item_type = context.window_manager.copied_source_item_type
-        print("source object", source_object)
+        if source_item_type == 'Object':
-        if source_object == None:
+            source_item = bpy.data.objects.get(source_item_name, None)
+        elif source_item_type == 'Collection':
+            source_item = bpy.data.collections.get(source_item_name, None)
+
+        if source_item == None:
             self.report({"ERROR"}, "The source object to copy a component from does not exist")
         else:
             component_name = context.window_manager.copied_source_component_name
-            component_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(source_object, component_name)
+            component_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(source_item, component_name)
             if component_value is None:
                 self.report({"ERROR"}, "The source component to copy from does not exist")
             else:
-                print("pasting component to object: component name:", str(component_name), "component value:" + str(component_value))
+                print("pasting component to item:", source_item, "component name:", str(component_name), "component value:" + str(component_value))
-                print (context.object)
                 registry = context.window_manager.components_registry
-                copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_object(source_object, context.object, component_name, registry)
+                target_item = get_selected_object_or_collection(context)
+                copy_propertyGroup_values_to_another_item(source_item, target_item, component_name, registry)
 
         return {'FINISHED'}
     
 class RemoveComponentOperator(Operator):
-    """Remove Bevy component from object"""
+    """Remove Bevy component from object/collection"""
     bl_idname = "object.remove_bevy_component"
-    bl_label = "Remove component from object Operator"
+    bl_label = "Remove component from object/collection Operator"
     bl_options = {"UNDO"}
 
     component_name: StringProperty(
@@ -102,34 +115,44 @@ class RemoveComponentOperator(Operator):
         description="component to delete",
     ) # type: ignore
 
-    object_name: StringProperty(
+    item_name: StringProperty(
         name="object name",
         description="object whose component to delete",
         default=""
     ) # type: ignore
 
-    def execute(self, context):
+    item_type: StringProperty(
-        if self.object_name == "":
+        name="item type",
-            object = context.object
+        description="type of the object/collection to delete",
-        else:
+    ) # type: ignore
-            object = bpy.data.objects[self.object_name]
-        print("removing component ", self.component_name, "from object  '"+object.name+"'")
 
-        if object is not None and 'bevy_components' in object :
+    def execute(self, context):
-            component_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, self.component_name)
+        target = None
+        if self.item_name == "":
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "The target to remove ("+ self.component_name +") from does not exist")
+        else:
+            if self.item_type == 'Object':
+                target = bpy.data.objects[self.item_name]
+            elif self.item_type == 'Collection':
+                target = bpy.data.collections[self.item_name]
+
+        print("removing component ", self.component_name, "from object  '"+target.name+"'")
+
+        if target is not None and 'bevy_components' in target :
+            component_value = get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(target, self.component_name)
             if component_value is not None:
-                remove_component_from_object(object, self.component_name)
+                remove_component_from_item(target, self.component_name)
             else :
                 self.report({"ERROR"}, "The component to remove ("+ self.component_name +") does not exist")
         else: 
-            self.report({"ERROR"}, "The object to remove ("+ self.component_name +") from does not exist")
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "The target to remove ("+ self.component_name +") from does not exist")
         return {'FINISHED'}
 
 
-class RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator(Operator):
+class RemoveComponentFromAllItemsOperator(Operator):
-    """Remove Bevy component from all object"""
+    """Remove Bevy component from all items"""
     bl_idname = "object.remove_bevy_component_all"
-    bl_label = "Remove component from all objects Operator"
+    bl_label = "Remove component from all items Operator"
     bl_options = {"UNDO"}
 
     component_name: StringProperty(
@@ -146,17 +169,28 @@ class RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator(Operator):
         del bpy.types.WindowManager.components_remove_progress
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        print("removing component ", self.component_name, "from all objects")
+        print("removing component ", self.component_name, "from all objects/collections")
-        total = len(bpy.data.objects)
+        total = len(bpy.data.objects) + len(bpy.data.collections)
         for index, object in enumerate(bpy.data.objects):
             if len(object.keys()) > 0:
-                if object is not None and is_bevy_component_in_object(object, self.component_name): 
+                if object is not None and is_bevy_component_in_item(object, self.component_name): 
-                    remove_component_from_object(object, self.component_name)
+                    remove_component_from_item(object, self.component_name)
             
             progress = index / total
             context.window_manager.components_remove_progress = progress
             # now force refresh the ui
             bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer(type='DRAW_WIN_SWAP', iterations=1)
+
+        for index, collection in enumerate(bpy.data.collections):
+            if len(collection.keys()) > 0:
+                if collection is not None and is_bevy_component_in_item(collection, self.component_name): 
+                    remove_component_from_item(collection, self.component_name)
+            
+            progress = index / total
+            context.window_manager.components_remove_progress = progress
+            # now force refresh the ui
+            bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer(type='DRAW_WIN_SWAP', iterations=1)
+        
         context.window_manager.components_remove_progress = -1.0
 
         return {'FINISHED'}
@@ -212,8 +246,8 @@ class OT_rename_component(Operator):
         total = len(target_objects)
 
         if original_name != '' and new_name != '' and original_name != new_name and len(target_objects) > 0:
-            for index, object_name in enumerate(target_objects):
+            for index, item_name in enumerate(target_objects):
-                object = bpy.data.objects[object_name]
+                object = bpy.data.objects[item_name]
                 if object and original_name in get_bevy_components(object) or original_name in object:
                     try:
                         # attempt conversion
@@ -293,7 +327,7 @@ class Fix_Component_Operator(Operator):
         object = context.object
         error = False
         try:
-            apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties_for_component(object, self.component_name)
+            apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties_for_component(object, self.component_name)
         except Exception as error:
             if "__disable__update" in object:
                 del object["__disable__update"] # make sure custom properties are updateable afterwards, even in the case of failure
@@ -315,7 +349,7 @@ class Toggle_ComponentVisibility(Operator):
     ) # type: ignore
 
     def execute(self, context):
-        object = context.object
+        target = get_selected_object_or_collection(context)
-        toggle_component(object, self.component_name)
+        toggle_component(target, self.component_name)
         return {'FINISHED'}
 

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/components/ui.py

@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 import json
 import bpy
 
+from ..utils import get_selection_type
 from ..registry.operators import COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT
-from .metadata import do_object_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata, get_bevy_components
+from .metadata import do_item_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata, get_bevy_components
 from .operators import AddComponentOperator, CopyComponentOperator, Fix_Component_Operator, RemoveComponentOperator, GenerateComponent_From_custom_property_Operator, PasteComponentOperator, Toggle_ComponentVisibility
    
 def draw_propertyGroup( propertyGroup, layout, nesting =[], rootName=None):
@@ -158,11 +159,24 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_ComponentsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
 
     def draw_header(self, context):
         layout = self.layout
-        name = context.object.name if context.object != None else ''
+        name = ""
-        layout.label(text="Components For "+ name)
+        target_type = ""
+        object = next(iter(context.selected_objects), None)
+        collection = context.collection
+        if object is not None:
+            name = object.name
+            target_type = "Object"
+        elif collection is not None:
+            name = collection.name
+            target_type = "Collection"
+        # name = context.object.name if context.object != None else ''
+        layout.label(text=f"Components for {name} ({target_type})")
+
+        print("object", context.object, "active", context.active_object, "objects", context.selected_objects)
 
     def draw(self, context):
-        object = context.object
+        object = next(iter(context.selected_objects), None)
+        collection = context.collection
         layout = self.layout
 
         # we get & load our component registry
@@ -171,6 +185,15 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_ComponentsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
         registry_has_type_infos = registry.has_type_infos()
 
         if object is not None:
+            draw_component_ui(layout, object, registry, available_components, registry_has_type_infos, context)
+        elif collection is not None:
+            draw_component_ui(layout, collection, registry, available_components, registry_has_type_infos, context)
+        else: 
+            layout.label(text ="Select an object to edit its components")      
+
+
+
+def draw_component_ui(layout, object_or_collection, registry, available_components, registry_has_type_infos, context):
     row = layout.row(align=True)
     row.prop(available_components, "list", text="Component")
     row.prop(available_components, "filter",text="Filter")
@@ -186,22 +209,22 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_ComponentsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
     # paste components
     row = layout.row(align=True)
     row.operator(PasteComponentOperator.bl_idname, text="Paste component ("+bpy.context.window_manager.copied_source_component_name+")", icon="PASTEDOWN")
-            row.enabled = registry_has_type_infos and context.window_manager.copied_source_object != ''
+    row.enabled = registry_has_type_infos and context.window_manager.copied_source_item_name != ''
 
     layout.separator()
 
     # upgrate custom props to components
-            upgradeable_customProperties = registry.has_type_infos() and do_object_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata(context.object)
+    upgradeable_customProperties = registry.has_type_infos() and do_item_custom_properties_have_missing_metadata(object_or_collection)
     if upgradeable_customProperties:
         row = layout.row(align=True)
         op = row.operator(GenerateComponent_From_custom_property_Operator.bl_idname, text="generate components from custom properties" , icon="LOOP_FORWARDS") 
         layout.separator()
 
 
-            components_in_object = object.components_meta.components
+    components_in_object = object_or_collection.components_meta.components
     #print("components_names", dict(components_bla).keys())
 
-            for component_name in sorted(get_bevy_components(object)) : # sorted by component name, practical
+    for component_name in sorted(get_bevy_components(object_or_collection)) : # sorted by component name, practical
         #print("component_name", component_name)
         if component_name == "components_meta": 
             continue
@@ -262,11 +285,14 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_ComponentsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
 
         op = row.operator(RemoveComponentOperator.bl_idname, text="", icon="X")
         op.component_name = component_name
+        op.item_name = object_or_collection.name
+        op.item_type = get_selection_type(object_or_collection)
         row.separator()
         
         op = row.operator(CopyComponentOperator.bl_idname, text="", icon="COPYDOWN")
         op.source_component_name = component_name
-                op.source_object_name = object.name
+        op.source_item_name = object_or_collection.name
+        op.source_item_type = get_selection_type(object_or_collection)
         row.separator()
         
         #if not single_field:
@@ -274,6 +300,3 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_ComponentsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
         op = row.operator(Toggle_ComponentVisibility.bl_idname, text="", icon=toggle_icon)
         op.component_name = component_name
         #row.separator()
-
-        else: 
-            layout.label(text ="Select an object to edit its components")      

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/propGroups/prop_groups.py

@@ -1,30 +1,30 @@
 import bpy
+
 from .conversions_from_prop_group import property_group_value_to_custom_property_value
 from .process_component import process_component
 from .utils import update_calback_helper
+from ..utils import get_selected_object_or_collection
 
 import json
 ## main callback function, fired whenever any property changes, no matter the nesting level
 def update_component(self, context, definition, component_name):
     registry = bpy.context.window_manager.components_registry
-    current_object = bpy.context.object
+    
-    update_disabled = current_object["__disable__update"] if "__disable__update" in current_object else False
+    current_object_or_collection = get_selected_object_or_collection(context)
+    update_disabled = current_object_or_collection["__disable__update"] if "__disable__update" in current_object_or_collection else False
     update_disabled = registry.disable_all_object_updates or update_disabled # global settings
     if update_disabled:
         return
-    print("")
+    components_in_object = current_object_or_collection.components_meta.components
-    print("update in component", component_name, self, "current_object", current_object.name)
-    components_in_object = current_object.components_meta.components
     component_meta =  next(filter(lambda component: component["long_name"] == component_name, components_in_object), None)
 
     if component_meta != None:
         property_group_name = registry.get_propertyGroupName_from_longName(component_name)
         property_group = getattr(component_meta, property_group_name)
         # we use our helper to set the values
-        object = context.object
+        previous = json.loads(current_object_or_collection['bevy_components'])
-        previous = json.loads(object['bevy_components'])
         previous[component_name] = property_group_value_to_custom_property_value(property_group, definition, registry, None)
-        object['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(previous)
+        current_object_or_collection['bevy_components'] = json.dumps(previous)
 
 
 def generate_propertyGroups_for_components():

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/registry/operators.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from bpy_extras.io_utils import ImportHelper
 
 from ...settings import upsert_settings
 
-from ..components.metadata import apply_customProperty_values_to_object_propertyGroups, apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties, ensure_metadata_for_all_objects
+from ..components.metadata import apply_customProperty_values_to_item_propertyGroups, apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties, ensure_metadata_for_all_items
 from ..propGroups.prop_groups import generate_propertyGroups_for_components
 
 class ReloadRegistryOperator(Operator):
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class ReloadRegistryOperator(Operator):
         print("")
         print("")
         print("")
-        ensure_metadata_for_all_objects()
+        ensure_metadata_for_all_items()
 
         # now force refresh the ui
         for area in context.screen.areas: 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_ALL(Operator):
         total = len(bpy.data.objects)
 
         for index, object in enumerate(bpy.data.objects):
-            apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties(object)
+            apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties(object)
             progress = index / total
             context.window_manager.custom_properties_from_components_progress_all = progress
             # now force refresh the ui
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ class COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT(Operator):
         context.window_manager.custom_properties_from_components_progress = 0.5
         # now force refresh the ui
         bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer(type='DRAW_WIN_SWAP', iterations=1)
-        apply_propertyGroup_values_to_object_customProperties(object)
+        apply_propertyGroup_values_to_item_customProperties(object)
 
         context.window_manager.custom_properties_from_components_progress = -1.0
         return {'FINISHED'}
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ class COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT(Operator):
         object = context.object
         error = False
         try:
-            apply_customProperty_values_to_object_propertyGroups(object)
+            apply_customProperty_values_to_item_propertyGroups(object)
             progress = 0.5
             context.window_manager.components_from_custom_properties_progress = progress
             try:
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ class COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_ALL(Operator):
         for index, object in enumerate(bpy.data.objects):
           
             try:
-                apply_customProperty_values_to_object_propertyGroups(object)
+                apply_customProperty_values_to_item_propertyGroups(object)
             except Exception as error:
                 del object["__disable__update"] # make sure custom properties are updateable afterwards, even in the case of failure
                 errors.append( "object: '" + object.name + "', error: " + str(error))

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/registry/registry.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from bpy.props import (StringProperty, BoolProperty, FloatProperty, FloatVectorP
 
 from ...settings import load_settings
 from ..propGroups.prop_groups import generate_propertyGroups_for_components
-from ..components.metadata import ComponentMetadata, ensure_metadata_for_all_objects
+from ..components.metadata import ComponentMetadata, ensure_metadata_for_all_items
 
 # helper class to store missing bevy types information
 class MissingBevyType(bpy.types.PropertyGroup):
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ class ComponentsRegistry(PropertyGroup):
             self.schemaPath = settings["components_schemaPath"]
             self.load_schema()
             generate_propertyGroups_for_components()
-            ensure_metadata_for_all_objects()
+            ensure_metadata_for_all_items()
 
 
     # we keep a list of component propertyGroup around 

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/registry/ui.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import bpy
 from bpy_types import (UIList)
 from bpy.props import (StringProperty)
 
-from ..components.operators import OT_rename_component, RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator, RemoveComponentOperator
+from ..components.operators import OT_rename_component, RemoveComponentFromAllItemsOperator, RemoveComponentOperator
 from .operators import(
     COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_ALL, 
     COMPONENTS_OT_REFRESH_PROPGROUPS_FROM_CUSTOM_PROPERTIES_CURRENT, 
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ class BEVY_COMPONENTS_PT_AdvancedToolsPanel(bpy.types.Panel):
         col = row.column()
         remove_components_progress = context.window_manager.components_remove_progress
         if remove_components_progress == -1.0:
-            operator = row.operator(RemoveComponentFromAllObjectsOperator.bl_idname, text="", icon="X")
+            operator = row.operator(RemoveComponentFromAllItemsOperator.bl_idname, text="", icon="X")
             operator.component_name = context.window_manager.bevy_component_rename_helper.original_name
             col.enabled = registry_has_type_infos and original_name != ""
         else:

tools/blenvy/bevy_components/utils.py

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import bpy
+
+#FIXME: does not work if object is hidden !!
+def get_selected_object_or_collection(context):
+    target = None
+    object = next(iter(context.selected_objects), None)
+    collection = context.collection
+    if object is not None:
+        target = object
+    elif collection is not None:
+        target = collection
+    return target
+
+def get_selection_type(selection):
+    if isinstance(selection, bpy.types.Object):
+        return 'Object'
+    if isinstance(selection, bpy.types.Collection):
+        return 'Collection'

tools/blenvy/core/ui/ui.py

@@ -44,21 +44,10 @@ class BLENVY_PT_SidePanel(bpy.types.Panel):
         library_scene_active = False
         active_collection = context.collection
 
-        print("BLA", blenvy.assets_path_full)
+        """print("BLA", blenvy.assets_path_full)
         print("BLA", blenvy.blueprints_path_full)
         print("BLA", blenvy.levels_path_full)
-        print("BLA", blenvy.materials_path_full)
+        print("BLA", blenvy.materials_path_full)"""
-
-        """current_auto_settings = load_settings(".gltf_auto_export_settings")
-        current_gltf_settings = load_settings(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
-        
-        if current_auto_settings is not None:
-            #print("current_auto_settings", current_auto_settings)
-            main_scene_names = current_auto_settings["main_scene_names"]
-            library_scene_names = current_auto_settings["library_scene_names"]
-
-            world_scene_active = context.scene.name in main_scene_names
-            library_scene_active = context.scene.name in library_scene_names"""
 
         # Now to actual drawing of the UI
         target = row.box() if active_mode == 'COMPONENTS' else row
@@ -103,8 +92,6 @@ class BLENVY_PT_SidePanel(bpy.types.Panel):
                 draw_folder_browser(layout=row, label="Materials Folder", prop_origin=blenvy, target_property="materials_path")
 
                 panel.separator()
-
-
                 # scenes selection
                 if len(blenvy.main_scenes) == 0 and len(blenvy.library_scenes) == 0:
                     row = panel.row()
@@ -114,7 +101,6 @@ class BLENVY_PT_SidePanel(bpy.types.Panel):
                     row = panel.row()
                     row.label(text="Please select and add one using the UI below")
 
-
                 section = panel
                 rows = 2
                 row = section.row()

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/__init__.py

@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@ def cleanup_file():
     
 def gltf_post_export_callback(data):
     #print("post_export", data)
+    blenvy = bpy.context.window_manager.blenvy
     bpy.context.window_manager.auto_export_tracker.export_finished()
 
-    gltf_settings_backup = bpy.context.window_manager.gltf_settings_backup
+    gltf_settings_backup = blenvy.auto_export.gltf_settings_backup
     gltf_filepath = data["gltf_filepath"]
     gltf_export_id = data['gltf_export_id']
     if gltf_export_id == "gltf_auto_export":
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ def gltf_post_export_callback(data):
         scene = bpy.context.scene
         if "glTF2ExportSettings" in scene:
             settings = scene["glTF2ExportSettings"]
-            export_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+            export_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
             # now write new settings
             export_settings.clear()
 
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ def gltf_post_export_callback(data):
         else:
             if "glTF2ExportSettings" in scene:
                 del scene["glTF2ExportSettings"]
-        bpy.context.window_manager.gltf_settings_backup = ""
+        blenvy.auto_export.gltf_settings_backup = ""
        
         # the absurd length one has to go through to RESET THE OPERATOR because it has global state !!!!! AAAAAHHH
         last_operator = bpy.context.window_manager.auto_export_tracker.last_operator

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/get_standard_exporter_settings.py

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import bpy
 import json
 
 def get_standard_exporter_settings():
-    standard_gltf_exporter_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
+    standard_gltf_exporter_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
     if standard_gltf_exporter_settings != None:
         try:
             standard_gltf_exporter_settings = json.loads(standard_gltf_exporter_settings.as_string())

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/operators.py

@@ -135,10 +135,10 @@ class AutoExportGLTF(Operator, AutoExportGltfAddonPreferences):#, ExportHelper):
         return True
         # compare both the auto export settings & the gltf settings
         previous_auto_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous"] if ".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else None
-        previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else None
+        previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else None
 
         current_auto_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
-        current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
+        current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
 
         #check if params have changed
         
@@ -149,10 +149,10 @@ class AutoExportGLTF(Operator, AutoExportGltfAddonPreferences):#, ExportHelper):
             changed = True
         elif previous_gltf_settings == None:
             #print("previous gltf settings missing, exporting")
-            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous")
+            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous")
             previous_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps({}))
             if current_gltf_settings == None:
-                current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+                current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
                 current_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps({}))
 
             changed = True
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ class AutoExportGLTF(Operator, AutoExportGltfAddonPreferences):#, ExportHelper):
             previous_auto_settings.write(current_auto_settings.as_string()) # TODO : check if this is always valid
 
         if current_gltf_settings != None:
-            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings_previous")
+            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous")
             previous_gltf_settings.clear()
             previous_gltf_settings.write(current_gltf_settings.as_string())
 

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/prepare_and_export.py

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import bpy
+
+from .project_diff import get_changes_per_scene, project_diff, serialize_current
+from ...settings import are_settings_identical
+from .auto_export import auto_export
+from .settings_diff import get_setting_changes
+
+# prepare export by gather the changes to the scenes & settings
+def prepare_and_export():
+    blenvy = bpy.context.window_manager.blenvy
+    bpy.context.window_manager.auto_export_tracker.disable_change_detection()
+    auto_export_settings = blenvy.auto_export
+    if auto_export_settings.auto_export: # only do the actual exporting if auto export is actually enabled
+
+        # determine changed objects
+        per_scene_changes = get_changes_per_scene()
+        # determine changed parameters 
+        setting_changes = get_setting_changes()
+        # do the actual export
+        auto_export(per_scene_changes, setting_changes, blenvy)
+
+        # cleanup 
+        # TODO: these are likely obsolete
+        # reset the list of changes in the tracker
+        bpy.context.window_manager.auto_export_tracker.clear_changes()
+        print("AUTO EXPORT DONE")            
+        bpy.app.timers.register(bpy.context.window_manager.auto_export_tracker.enable_change_detection, first_interval=0.1)

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/project_diff.py

@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ def foo():
     previous_stored.clear()
     previous_stored.write(json.dumps(current))
 
-def project_diff(previous, current):
+    
+def serialize_current():
     # sigh... you need to save & reset the frame otherwise it saves the values AT THE CURRENT FRAME WHICH CAN DIFFER ACROSS SCENES
     current_frames = [scene.frame_current for scene in bpy.data.scenes]
     for scene in bpy.data.scenes:
@@ -40,10 +41,35 @@ def project_diff(previous, current):
     for (index, scene) in enumerate(bpy.data.scenes):
         scene.frame_set(int(current_frames[index]))
     
+    return current
+
+def get_changes_per_scene():
+    current = serialize_current()
+
+    previous_stored = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy.project.serialized"] if ".blenvy.project.serialized" in bpy.data.texts else None
+    if previous_stored == None:
+        previous_stored = bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy.project.serialized")
+        previous_stored.write(json.dumps(current))
+        return {}
+    
+    previous = json.loads(previous_stored.as_string())
+    
+    # determin changes
+    changes_per_scene = project_diff(previous, current)
+
+    # save the current project as previous
+    previous_stored.clear()
+    previous_stored.write(json.dumps(current))
+    return changes_per_scene
+
+
+def project_diff(previous, current):
+    
     changes_per_scene = {}
 
     # TODO : how do we deal with changed scene names ???
     for scene in current:
+        print("SCENE", scene)
         previous_object_names = list(previous[scene].keys())
         current_object_names =list(current[scene].keys())
         added =  list(set(current_object_names) - set(previous_object_names))

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/settings_diff.py

@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import bpy
+
+from ...settings import are_settings_identical, load_settings
+
+# which settings are specific to auto_export # TODO: can we infer this ?
+auto_export_parameter_names = [
+    'project_root_path',
+    'assets_path',
+    'blueprints_path',
+    'levels_path',
+    'materials_path',
+    #'main_scene_names',
+    #'library_scene_names',
+
+    'export_scene_settings',
+    'export_blueprints',
+    'export_separate_dynamic_and_static_objects',
+    'export_materials_library',
+    'collection_instances_combine_mode',
+    'export_marked_assets'
+]
+
+def get_setting_changes():
+    previous_gltf_settings = load_settings(".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous")
+    current_gltf_settings = load_settings(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
+    gltf_settings_changed = not are_settings_identical(previous_gltf_settings, current_gltf_settings)
+
+    previous_export_settings = load_settings(".blenvy_export_settings_previous")
+    current_export_settings = load_settings(".blenvy_export_settings")
+    auto_export_settings_changed = not are_settings_identical(previous_export_settings, current_export_settings)
+
+
+    return {}
+
+def did_export_settings_change(self):
+        return True
+        # compare both the auto export settings & the gltf settings
+        previous_auto_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous"] if ".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else None
+        previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else None
+
+        current_auto_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
+        current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else None
+
+        #check if params have changed
+        
+        # if there were no setting before, it is new, we need export
+        changed = False
+        if previous_auto_settings == None:
+            #print("previous settings missing, exporting")
+            changed = True
+        elif previous_gltf_settings == None:
+            #print("previous gltf settings missing, exporting")
+            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous")
+            previous_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps({}))
+            if current_gltf_settings == None:
+                current_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
+                current_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps({}))
+
+            changed = True
+
+        else:
+            auto_settings_changed = sorted(json.loads(previous_auto_settings.as_string()).items()) != sorted(json.loads(current_auto_settings.as_string()).items()) if current_auto_settings != None else False
+            gltf_settings_changed = sorted(json.loads(previous_gltf_settings.as_string()).items()) != sorted(json.loads(current_gltf_settings.as_string()).items()) if current_gltf_settings != None else False
+            
+            """print("auto settings previous", sorted(json.loads(previous_auto_settings.as_string()).items()))
+            print("auto settings current", sorted(json.loads(current_auto_settings.as_string()).items()))
+            print("auto_settings_changed", auto_settings_changed)
+
+            print("gltf settings previous", sorted(json.loads(previous_gltf_settings.as_string()).items()))
+            print("gltf settings current", sorted(json.loads(current_gltf_settings.as_string()).items()))
+            print("gltf_settings_changed", gltf_settings_changed)"""
+
+            changed = auto_settings_changed or gltf_settings_changed
+        # now write the current settings to the "previous settings"
+        if current_auto_settings != None:
+            previous_auto_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous"] if ".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_settings_previous")
+            previous_auto_settings.clear()
+            previous_auto_settings.write(current_auto_settings.as_string()) # TODO : check if this is always valid
+
+        if current_gltf_settings != None:
+            previous_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings_previous")
+            previous_gltf_settings.clear()
+            previous_gltf_settings.write(current_gltf_settings.as_string())
+
+        return changed

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/auto_export/tracker.py

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import bpy
 from bpy.types import (PropertyGroup)
 from bpy.props import (PointerProperty, IntProperty, StringProperty)
 
+from .prepare_and_export import prepare_and_export
+
 from ..constants import TEMPSCENE_PREFIX
 
 class AutoExportTracker(PropertyGroup):
@@ -51,9 +53,7 @@ class AutoExportTracker(PropertyGroup):
     def save_handler(cls, scene, depsgraph):
         print("-------------")
         print("saved", bpy.data.filepath)
-        # auto_export(changes_per_scene, export_parameters_changed)
+        prepare_and_export()
-        bpy.ops.export_scenes.auto_gltf(direct_mode= True)
-
         # (re)set a few things after exporting
         # reset wether the gltf export paramters were changed since the last save 
         cls.export_params_changed = False

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/helpers/serialize_scene.py

@@ -228,6 +228,6 @@ def serialize_scene():
     print("")
     print("data json", json.dumps(data))"""
 
-    return json.dumps(data)
+    return data # json.dumps(data)
 
 

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/helpers/to_remove_later.py

@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def duplicate_object2(object, original_name):
                         settings = scene["glTF2ExportSettings"]
                         formatted_settings = dict(settings)
 
-                        export_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+                        export_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
                         
                         #check if params have changed
                         bpy.context.window_manager.gltf_settings_changed = sorted(json.loads(export_settings.as_string()).items()) != sorted(formatted_settings.items())

tools/blenvy/gltf_auto_export/settings.py

@@ -71,3 +71,10 @@ class AutoExportSettings(PropertyGroup):
         description='Collections that have been marked as assets will be systematically exported, even if not in use in another scene',
         default=True
     ) # type: ignore
+
+
+    # special property for gltf settings
+    gltf_settings_backup: StringProperty(
+        name="gltf settings backup",
+        description="backup for existing gltf settings so that we can restore them"
+    ) # type: ignore

tools/blenvy/tests/test_bevy_integration.py

@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def test_export_complex(setup_data):
     stored_auto_settings.write(json.dumps(export_props))
 
     # and store settings for the gltf part
-    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
     stored_gltf_settings.clear()
     stored_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps(gltf_settings))
 

tools/blenvy/tests/test_bevy_integration_prepare.py

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def test_export_external_blueprints(setup_data):
     stored_auto_settings.write(json.dumps(export_props))
 
     # and store settings for the gltf part
-    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
     stored_gltf_settings.clear()
     stored_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps(gltf_settings))
 

tools/blenvy/tests/test_changed_parameters.py

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def test_export_changed_parameters(setup_data):
         "export_optimize_animation_size": False
     }
     # and store settings for the gltf part
-    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
     stored_gltf_settings.clear()
     stored_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps(gltf_settings))
 
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ def test_export_changed_parameters(setup_data):
         "export_optimize_animation_size": True
     }
 
-    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
     stored_gltf_settings.clear()
     stored_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps(gltf_settings))
 

tools/blenvy/tests/test_components.py

@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ def test_copy_paste_components(setup_data):
     setattr(propertyGroup, propertyGroup.field_names[0], 25.0)
 
     copy_component_operator = bpy.ops.object.copy_bevy_component
-    copy_component_operator(source_component_name=long_name, source_object_name=object.name)
+    copy_component_operator(source_component_name=long_name, source_item_name=object.name)
 
     # ---------------------------------------
     # TARGET object 

tools/blenvy/tests/test_helpers.py

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def prepare_auto_export(auto_export_overrides={}, gltf_export_settings = {"expor
 
     gltf_settings = gltf_export_settings
     # and store settings for the gltf part
-    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings"] if ".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".gltf_auto_export_gltf_settings")
+    stored_gltf_settings = bpy.data.texts[".blenvy_gltf_settings"] if ".blenvy_gltf_settings" in bpy.data.texts else bpy.data.texts.new(".blenvy_gltf_settings")
     stored_gltf_settings.clear()
     stored_gltf_settings.write(json.dumps(gltf_settings))
 

tools/blenvy/tests/test_rename_components.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import bpy
 import pprint
 import pytest
 
-from ..bevy_components.components.metadata import get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name, get_bevy_components, is_bevy_component_in_object, upsert_bevy_component
+from ..bevy_components.components.metadata import get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name, get_bevy_components, is_bevy_component_in_item, upsert_bevy_component
 
 from .setup_data import setup_data
 
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ def test_rename_component_single_unit_struct(setup_data):
 
     rename_component_operator(original_name=source_component_name, new_name=target_component_name, target_objects=json.dumps([object.name]))
 
-    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, source_component_name)
+    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, source_component_name)
-    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, target_component_name)
+    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, target_component_name)
     assert is_old_component_in_object == False
     assert is_new_component_in_object == True
     assert get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, target_component_name) == '()'
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@ def test_rename_component_single_complex_struct(setup_data):
 
     rename_component_operator(original_name=source_component_name, new_name=target_component_name, target_objects=json.dumps([object.name]))
 
-    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, source_component_name)
+    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, source_component_name)
-    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, target_component_name)
+    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, target_component_name)
     assert is_old_component_in_object == False
     assert is_new_component_in_object == True
     assert get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, target_component_name) == 'Capsule(Vec3(x:1.0, y:2.0, z:0.0), Vec3(x:0.0, y:0.0, z:0.0), 3.0)'
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ def test_rename_component_bulk(setup_data):
     rename_component_operator(original_name=source_component_name, new_name=target_component_name, target_objects=json.dumps(objects_names))
 
     for object in bpy.data.objects:
-        is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, source_component_name)
+        is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, source_component_name)
-        is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, target_component_name)
+        is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, target_component_name)
         assert is_old_component_in_object == False
         assert is_new_component_in_object == True
         assert get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, target_component_name) == '()'
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@ def test_rename_component_single_error_handling(setup_data):
     
     target_component_metadata = get_component_metadata(object, target_component_name)
 
-    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, source_component_name)
+    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, source_component_name)
-    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, target_component_name)
+    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, target_component_name)
     assert is_old_component_in_object == False
     assert is_new_component_in_object == True
     assert get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, target_component_name) == 'Capsule(Vec3(x:1.0, y:2.0, z:0.0), Vec3(x:0.0, y:0.0, z:0.0), 3.0)'
@@ -143,8 +143,8 @@ def test_rename_component_single_error_handling_clean_errors(setup_data):
     
     target_component_metadata = get_component_metadata(object, target_component_name)
 
-    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, source_component_name)
+    is_old_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, source_component_name)
-    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_object(object, target_component_name)
+    is_new_component_in_object = is_bevy_component_in_item(object, target_component_name)
     assert is_old_component_in_object == False
     assert is_new_component_in_object == True
     assert get_bevy_component_value_by_long_name(object, target_component_name) == 'Capsule(Vec3(x:1.0, y:2.0, z:0.0), Vec3(x:0.0, y:0.0, z:0.0), 3.0)'