How to run a python script external to Blender to run bpy commands in Blender'spython console

Question

Platform = Ubuntu Linux 64 bit, Blender 2.77a

When creating models using bpy-based python scripting, there many times I need to type in the same code in Blender's python console; every time I invoke a new blender session.

For example if something is wrong with objects, I type the following:

for object in bpy.data.object:
    print(object.name + " is at location " + str(object.location)) 

I would like to put this in an xxx.py file I create in a documents folder so when I need to execute it in the Blender python console at each Blender session, all I would need to do is run the .py file ; this will save a lot of repetitive typing.

How do I do this?

Sam

Answer 1

This is the equivalent to running the script directly, referencing a scripts path from a 2 line text-block.

filename = "/full/path/to/myscript.py"
exec(compile(open(filename).read(), filename, 'exec'))

You might want to reference a script relative to the blend file.

import bpy
filepath = bpy.path.abspath("//myscript.py")
exec(compile(open(filepath).read(), filepath, 'exec'))

Answer 2

Using blender's text editor you can open a script file to read and edit it. The text editor also has a "Run Script" button to easily run the script you are editing.

An open text file can also be run within the python console with

exec(compile(bpy.data.texts['Text'].as_string(), 'textblock', 'exec'))

this has an advantage when debugging as the variables in the script will remain available in the console after it has been run.

Some time back I started using an addon posted on blender artists that adds a menu to the console which lets you run any open text block in blender's python console. You gave me an idea to expand it a bit by adding another menu made from script files in a directory, the addon will now also list the files within a specific directory which will be loaded and run when chosen. You can download the updated addon here.