FOR BLENDER 2.83+
USER MANUAL
for using KIT OPS 2
for both FREE and PRO versions
©2020 Altuit, Inc, All Rights reserved
Documentation written by Chipp Walters and Michael Semprevivo
V1.0
Table of Contents
9 Reasons to use KIT OPS PRO to manage your materials in Blender
Differences between PRO and FREE
Both FREE and PRO features and updates
To Install KIT OPS PRO or FREE
To Install Thumbnail Cache Engine
To INSTALL a MASTERFOLDER of KPACKS
2. Press the + button to add a new MASTERFOLDER full of KPACKS
3. Navigate to where you’ve unzipped the downloaded MASTERFOLDER
5. Now, go back up 1 level. Here is where you press the Accept button.
To Install and use kitops_toggle_view_display.py
To Convert an Object with INSERTS into a mesh
To Move, Scale or Resize an INSERT at any time
Scale feature during Add INSERT
To use any INSERT in GROUP mode after previously being in REGULAR mode
Deprecated GROUP MODE features
Deleting an INSERT in GROUP mode
Options for Apply in GROUP Mode
So, what mode should I work in?
FACTORY mode interface and properties
There are 3 different modes for Factory: In-Scene, New-Scene and Open-Scene
1. Select Objects in the current scene you want to make and parent them accordingly.
2. Set Origin, Scale and Rotate properties of parents and children objects
3. Assign Properties for all objects
6. Go back to the original scene
How to use a boolean object's material in the target object
Smoothing issues and how to fix them when using INSERTS
To create your own material ball
The Add INSERT and Add Materials buttons are disabled
KIT OPS 2 keeps throwing an error
How to I select individual parts of an INSERT?
My machine slows down when I use too many INSERTS. How do I speed it up?
How do I install other KIT OPS KPACKS of INSERTS? Like the Bonus one?
Where does Blender actually install addons?
Why is my INSERT being added upside down?
Why does my INSERT throw off the smoothing of the target object?
Uninstalling the Thumbnail Cache Engine ( Pillow )
Why don’t my INSERTS display the correct texture maps?
Complex Cutters don’t always work
KIT OPS Crashes Blender 2.83 when animating, rendering or Indirect Light baking
UPDATES
The docs do not always reflect the most current iteration of features in KIT OPS. For that reason, we recommend you watch the following videos, starting with the Bronson Edition to learn more about KIT OPS 2 PRO and KIT OPS FREE
(most recent at top)
Sherlock Edition (2.26.4)
This new version now works with 4.0 and has a super new search feature that makes it super easy to find INSERTS you’re looking for.
Cedar Creek Edition (2.24.23)
This new CEDAR CREEK version has some nifty new features including the ability to create eroded Decal INSERTS as well as array your INSERTS.
KINGSMAN
You can now save materials with a single click. Also, it’s easy now to organize several collections of KPACKS. Watch the video to learn more.
9 Reasons to use KIT OPS PRO to manage your materials in Blender
Some good info on using materials with KIT OPS
HARDPOINTS
Now with the ability to create cutter INSERTS directly from the scene. And, new Hardpoints feature makes assemblies a snap.
CHUCK NORRIS
Updates called CHUCK NORRIS Edition for both FREE and PRO. Added one-click creation of INSERTS for both FREE and PRO along with Material Editor that can now add materials to slots.
Updated so that minimum version is now Blender 2.93
Now that KIT OPS FREE can create basic inserts, what is the difference between it and KIT OPS PRO?
This is a question many of you may be asking. There are still substantial differences between the two products. Here is a list describing them as of KIT OPS: Chuck Norris edition.
Differences between PRO and FREE
1. PRO has snapping features, FREE does not. These are valuable especially when using KIT OPS PRO to create objects.
2. PRO has the ability to create INSERTS which have built-in Boolean union and difference modifiers, which can be linked with the target object and/or the INSERT itself. This allows you to create INSERTS that can cut holes in other objects. FREE cannot do this.
3. PRO allows for wire object types which are good for both positioning and creating objects location points.
4. If you want to use KIT OPS SYNTH, and create INSERTS for it, you'll need to use PRO.
5. PRO has the favorite menu system allowing you shortcuts to KPACKS
6. PRO has Factory mode allowing you to fully edit INSERTS and create thumbnails with custom settings.
7. KIT OPS BATCH only works with PRO
8. PRO works with KIT OPS PARALLAX to create parallax INSERTS with proper thumbnails.
9. PRO has the ability to easily create and edit materials.
10. Since KIT OPS 2 came out a year ago there have been 7 major updates, 2 of them FREE updates and all of them with PRO improvements.
11. As evidenced by our many and frequent feature updates over the past year, we jave many big plans on store for PRO.
RAVEN
Update called Raven Edition. Please see this video for more information.
LANDO
Update called the Lando Edition. Please see this video for more information:
CLARISE
Update called the Clarise Edition. Please see this video for more information:
BOURNE
Update called the Bourne Edition. Please see this video for more information:
BRONSON
There is a new update for both FREE and PRO called the Bronson Edition
The docs below have been updated to reflect the Bronson Edition updates. For newer updates, please see the videos above.
The main points for Bronson Edition updates are:
Both FREE and PRO features and updates
- New INSTANT THUMBNAIL viewing. You can now use the Thumbnail cache button in Preferences to install a thumbnail engine which instantly caches all thumbnails.
- Gone is the Auto select INSERT checkbox. Now all users can use GROUP Mode which now has the auto-select feature.
- Rotate INSERTS when adding them- just scroll the mousewheel with the Alt key pressed down and you can rotate inserts in 15 degree increments.
- You can now choose whether to parent INSERTS to the target object or not. This feature is toggleable in both the main interface and the preferences.
- Various speed updates and optimizations
FREE features and updates
- Now many of the PRO features are available in FREE. In particular, you can now mirror and align your INSERTS after applying them. You can also re-target your INSERTS as well.
NOTE: The big difference between the two now is PRO is the KIT OPS you will want if you plan on saving materials or creating your own INSERTS.
Key KIT OPS Concepts
- KIT OPS 2 is an addon that works with Blender 2.93+
- KIT OPS 2 comes in both FREE and PRO version
- KIT OPS operates in 3 different modes: Regular (FREE and PRO), Smart (PRO only) and Factory (PRO only).
- Both versions allow for applying materials into object material slots.
- KIT OPS Regular and Smart mode uses specially designed .blend files, called INSERTS, to add collections of meshes to existing objects– either by cutting or adding with modifiers. Both modes can also be used to apply materials to objects as well as just adding objects to scenes.
- Smart mode allows for mirroring, duplicating and replicating INSERTS. It is now available in both KIT OPS FREE and KIT OPS PRO.
- Factory mode allows for the creation of INSERTS as is only available in KIT OPS PRO.
- New one button “basic” INSERT creation feature available to both FREE and PRO, but FREE version cannot create custom thumbnails, nor can it do any advanced Factory features like include Boolean modifiers on the Target object.PRO is required for other KIT OPS products like BATCH and PARALLAX.
- KIT OPS 1 will no longer be supported as of this release.
KIT OPS Video Manual
The KIT OPS Video Manual has a clickable Table of Contents in the video description. You may find it easier to learn about KIT OPS by viewing the video. NOTE: The video manual does not yet reflect the BRONSON Edition additions or those that come after. Please see above videos. |
What’s New
Please review the videos at the top of this page for more information on the new features of KIT OPS.
KIT OPS 2.0 brings a number of new innovations to KIT OPS PRO– in particular a streamlined workflow for the authoring of INSERTS and the ability to easily store materials.
You can now create INSERTS directly from a scene you’re working with, save them, and go back to working in your scene and applying them there. You can also choose an object with any material, and save it as a material only INSERT. This, along with some user interface optimizations, allows for a much smoother workflow than the previous version of KIT OPS.
For the record, KIT OPS 2 works with all INSERTS that worked with previous versions of KIT OPS.
Introduction
Troubleshooting? Look here.
KIT OPS is a unique Blender 2.93+ kitbashing addon that provides users with the ability to modify the design of existing objects with many different kitbash elements-- called INSERTS-- which are in fact specially constructed .blend files. The most interesting feature is the ability to actually carve into an existing object using boolean cut INSERTS. INSERTS are grouped into folders, called KPACKS and can be distributed on the web by others. There are two flavors of KIT OPS: KIT OPS FREE and KIT OPS PRO, with the main difference being PRO allows for authoring INSERTS.
Our customer value proposition for KIT OPS is to provide a great set of tools to quickly modify their existing models in unique ways with little training. And for PRO customers to create libraries of KIT OPS INSERTS of their own, either for their own use or for commercial sale.
Our target customers are hard surface modelers excited by kitbashing themes and unique and superfast workflows.
Thanks for downloading the KIT OPS 2.0 Smart Inserts System for Blender. The first version of KIT OPS is no longer being supported. KIT OPS 2.0 is a free update for KIT OPS FREE users as well as those who have already purchased KIT OPS PRO.
KIT OPS is a product of years of experience in both programming for Blender and building Blender products, combined with award-winning interface and concept/industrial designers working to create the ultimate in kitbashing toolsets.
We’re very proud of this product and we hope you will have hours of enjoyment and productivity using it.
First things first
KIT OPS comes in two different flavors: KIT OPS FREE and KIT OPS PRO.
KIT OPS uses libraries of special .blend files, called INSERTS, to modify objects and scenes. INSERTS are organized into folders called KPACKS. Most KPACKS are distributed in collections which have a single MASTERFOLDER with a number of KPACK folders inside.
To Install KIT OPS PRO or FREE
* During installation, Blender unzips the file and places the contents in your addons folder (wherever that may be). The .zip file is the archive and you can store it wherever you want. |
Please note: KIT OPS FREE comes with a few different KPACK folders of INSERTS. KIT OPS PRO does not. For KIT OPS PRO you’ll need to download and install the KPACK folders that come with it separately.
To Install Thumbnail Cache Engine
* If you want to Uninstall, please see Uninstalling Thumbnail Cache |
To Install KPACKS
Latest Install video: http://cw1.me/installkitops
When you purchase and download KPACKS, you will receive a .zip folder. Unzip the folder. The structure will have a single “Master…” folder and inside will be a number of other folders. These other folders are called “KPACKS” and inside them are the .blend inserts. A KPACK purchase may include 1 or more KPACK folders, all inside a different “Master” folder.
Note: DO NOT INSTALL the KPACKS zip file as if it were an addon! Blender addons typically come in .zip files. For these you can install them as described above and Blender will automatically UNZIP the addon and place it in the correct folder. Then you are even free to delete the original file. With KPACKS, you need to manually UNZIP the folders and store them in a location where you will not delete them. They will be accessed from that location every time you use KIT OPS. |
IMPORTANT CONCEPTSKPACK foldersKIT OPS INSERT files are special .blend files which reside in a folder. We call this folder a KPACK folder. The name of this KPACK folder is shown in the KIT OPS INSERT browser. And each INSERT file in the KPACK collection has the name of the .blend file – without the .blend extension. MASTERFOLDERSKPACK folders are grouped inside a MASTERFOLDER. The location of this MASTERFOLDER is what is required when adding new KPACKS using KIT OPS Preferences File Paths Tab. The name of the MASTERFOLDER does not show up in the KIT OPS INSERT browser. Note: Both KPACK and MASTERFOLDERS are named by their author and can be changed if you so wish. Do not change the .blend files unless you also change it’s matching thumbnail image. ORGANIZATION OF A MASTER FOLDER Below is the correct organization of a Masterfolder and the KPACK folders and files that reside inside it. (https://codepen.io/weizhenye/details/eoYvye) |
Masterfolder (any name, any location) ├── KPACK 1 folder (any name) │ ├── INSERT 1.blend │ ├── INSERT 1.png (256x256 PNG thumbnail) │ ├── INSERT 2.blend │ ├── INSERT 2.png │ ├── etc..blend │ └── etc..png ├── KPACK 2 folder │ ├── etc..blend │ └── etc..png └── KPACK etc. ├── etc..blend └── etc..blend |
To INSTALL a MASTERFOLDER of KPACKS
Use the User Prefs panel and the File Paths Tab to add your new MASTERFOLDER location to the KIT OPS plugin. This means you can store your newly downloaded MASTERFOLDER of KPACKS anywhere you like, including Dropbox or Google Drive.
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IMPORTANT: KPACK folders must be inside a MASTERFOLDER. You choose the MASTERFOLDER in the user prefs and it will search for all folders inside. You cannot place INSERTS (.blend files) at the root (MASTERFOLDER) level, and a KPACK folder cannot be a MASTERFOLDER!
To Install and use kitops_toggle_view_display.py
You can install kitops_toggle_view_display.py as you would any other addon: just use the Install button in the addon panel in Preferences and then enable.
Essentially, this is an addon with only one function, and no visible interface. It allows you to toggle any object's viewport visibility from solid, to wireframe, to bounding box, and then back to solid. This comes in handy when you are using boolean INSERTS. It can simplify the viewport display.
You can achieve this toggle behavior by enabling the addon, then pressing CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + Z. Each successive press of the keys changes the selected object from one state to the next.
You can see a video demonstration of how this works at: KIT OPS FREE + PRO: bronson edition BIG NEWS
New video showing all features of this add-on:
https://youtu.be/L_jXRoGQD5g
Overall Purpose of KIT OPS
This object took 10 minutes to create in KIT OPS |
KIT OPS is the systemized application of .blender files, called KIT OPS INSERTS, which can be used to instantly cut and add to existing objects or create standalone objects with the goal of rapidly creating and exploring new designs.
The application of different model parts is typically called “kitbashing” and takes its name from the early application of plastic model kit parts to larger scale models for the movie industry. The original Star Wars model spaceships were created in such a fashion. |
When used properly, KIT OPS can create objects and scenes with extreme efficiency and speed. Doors and windows can be inserted and cut through walls. Complex industrial designs can be generated in a single sitting. KIT OPS uses the power of the Blender modifiers to accomplish all of this.
Basic Workflow
KIT OPS uses MASTERFOLDERS, KPACK folders and .blend INSERT files. You can have any number of MASTERFOLDERS, each with KPACK folders inside. Using the KIT OPS interface, you select an object and choose an INSERT to drag onto it. You then position it, scale it, duplicate it and mirror it. Each INSERT automatically knows which parts to cut and which parts to keep.
KIT OPS works at the object level. This means KIT OPS INSERTS are applied to objects (called target objects) therefore MUST BE USED IN OBJECT MODE and never in Edit or Local mode. Before applying a KIT OPS INSERT as a modifier you can move it, duplicate it, mirror it and delete it.
Also, KIT OPS will not work in Quad View mode either.
During the design process, you can choose to APPLY INSERTS when you are comfortable with the design or DELETE INSERTS when you no longer wish to have them around.
KIT OPS FREE vs KIT OPS PRO
What is KIT OPS FREE?
KIT OPS FREE comprises the KIT OPS Blender addon + basic set of KIT OPS INSERTS + documentation. You can freely add any KIT OPS INSERTS from any KIT OPS KPACKS you own. You can download paid and free KPACKS at https://kit-ops.com/the-store
KIT OPS FREE now allows you to create your own INSERTS, but you cannot use any of the FACTORY advanced features like using boolean modifiers or creating custom thumbnails.
What is KIT OPS PRO?
The KIT OPS PRO version consists of the KIT OPS add-on, updated to KIT OPS PRO, which includes the INSERT FACTORY authoring toolkit, and like KIT OPS FREE, is provided with this documentation. The FACTORY mode allows you to easily author your own KIT OPS INSERTS as well as save MATERIALS to KPACKS.
Comparison Table
Below is a table comparing KIT OPS FREE to KIT OPS PRO
KIT OPS FREE | KIT OPS PRO | |
Use any KIT OPS KPACK INSERTS | YES | YES |
Convert to Mesh | YES | YES |
Auto Select INSERTS | YES | YES |
Auto Scale INSERTS | YES | YES |
Documentation and Support | YES | YES |
Remove KIT OPS Properties (helps in using KIT OPS on top of other KIT OPS) | YES | YES |
Save Material to INSERT | NO (not directly) | YES |
INSERT GROUP Mode
| YES | YES |
INSERT authoring with FACTORY mode with boolean modifiers and custom thumbnail generation | NO | YES |
Face, Edge and Vertex Snap Modes | NO | YES |
Quick Create “basic” INSERT mode | YES | YES |
THE INTERFACE
Preferences
KIT OPS Prefs General Tab |
General Tab
- Author: Metadata used in KIT OPS PRO to identify INSERTS. You can leave blank if you like.
- INSERT offset X and offset Y: Horizontal and Vertical offset distance used for INSERTS when using the Thumbnail panel. Leave as default unless you’re having a hard time placing INSERTS after you’ve picked them from the panel.
- Fast vs Exact Boolean Modifier setting for Blender versions > 2.90. Fast is the default mode, and Exact is the more accurate but takes longer version of Boolean modifiers. KIT OPS will default to whichever you choose.
- Thumbnail labels: Displays names of INSERTS under the thumbnails in the preview popup.
- Enable auto-select in regular mode: Default condition of the auto-select feature for Regular mode. Sometimes auto-select can confuse users especially when they are trying to select a ‘piece’ of an INSERT.
- Sort Modifiers: When checked allows you to select which modifiers will always be placed AFTER any modifiers KIT OPS inserts. Leave unchecked unless you are sure about what you want. The selected ones shown are the weighted normal modifier which always helps a model after many boolean modifiers and the last bevel modifier which is good if you’re wanting to add that last bevel on an object full of KIT OPS INSERTS. Of note: this does NOT place modifiers, only sorts existing modifiers.
- Use Export and Import to save your KPACKS list settings.
File Paths Tab
KIT OPS File Paths Tab |
With KIT OPS you can have multiple MASTERFOLDERS. Each MASTERFOLDER contains any number of other KPACK folders, each contains one or more specially prepared .blender files called INSERTS. In the KIT OPS prefs, you can choose to add your own MASTERFOLDER or designate one which is shared with you via Dropbox, Google Drive or other sharing service.
- Press the + button to add a new MASTERFOLDER.
- Press the folder button to search for a new MASTERFOLDER. See Install KPACKS for more information on how to select the correct folder.
- The path for the MASTERFOLDER you selected.
- The name of the MASTERFOLDER
- Press ‘x’ to delete the MASTERFOLDER from the preferences. This does NOT delete any actual files or folders.
- Press the eye icon to toggle on/off whether you are using this MASTERFOLDER
- Sorts the MASTERFOLDERS so they show up in a different order in the KIT OPS interface.
- Refreshes the KPACKS and MASTERFOLDERS in KIT OPS.
KIT OPS Main User Interface
* KIT OPS PRO only |
Understanding KIT OPS
A key driver during the development of KIT OPS was a focus on flexibility and power. The designers and developers of KIT OPS are award-winning 3D professionals who make their living creating, coding and building commercial games, products, and AR/VR experiences using multiple applications and workflows.
KIT OPS has many advanced features to aid in the rapid creation and design of 3D scenes. Because of this, there is a bit of a learning curve to using KIT OPS in the advanced (GROUP) mode. For many users, it’s pretty easy to get started in REGULAR mode and grow into using the GROUP mode as you continue to use KIT OPS.
Important: KIT OPS works at the object level. This means KIT OPS INSERTS are applied to objects (called target objects) and MUST BE USED IN OBJECT MODE and never in Edit or Local mode. During these modes, KIT OPS functions are disabled.
Before we get started explaining the different modes, it’s important to understand the structure of a KIT OPS insert, as well as the limitations of Blender so you can also understand why the GROUP mode was created.
Blender Collections
Unlike many other applications, grouping objects in a collection in Blender does not bind them together as one might typically suspect. If you group objects A and B in a collection, then move, rotate or scale either A or B, the other is not similarly affected. This means the easy way to move, rotate or scale a set of Blender objects (grouped or not), is to create a parent/child relationship. This way a single parent can be selected and any transform done to the parent object is also done to all the children objects.
KIT OPS INSERTS have a parent object which allows the user to move, rotate and scale it, and all the children objects as well. This means if you select the parent object in the INSERT, you can then move, rotate and scale all of the INSERT objects together.
When in Smart mode, KIT OPS always selects the parent object of an INSERT no matter what. This makes it very easy to move, rotate and scale an INSERT. |
Adding INSERTS
An INSERT is placed on a target object by first selecting the target object. There are certainly cases, like adding a living room chair, where the insert can be placed without having anything selected. In those cases, the INSERT is placed at the cursor location and you can easily move it from there.
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TIP: If your target object already has at least one INSERT, and that INSERT is selected, you can continue to place new INSERTS and KIT OPS will automatically select the main object. This means you don’t need to continually select the target object when adding INSERTS to it, as long as one of it’s INSERTS is selected. |
Assigning Materials
KIT OPS now has the ability to assign materials from various KIT OPS KPACKS. To do this follow these instructions:
To assign a material to an object.
The material is now assigned. Make sure you are in the material preview (formerly LookDev) or the rendered view mode to see the changes. |
TIP: When a material is added to a scene, KIT OPS first checks to see if that same material already exists, and uses it instead of the one added. This helps with memory and overall scene organization. BUT, if you want a separate instance of the material applied, then use the CTRL key when pressing the Add Material button. |
TIP: When adding a material to an object with more than one slot, KIT OPS will replace ALL the slots in the object. If you don’t want this, then just make sure nothing is selected in your scene, and add the material. It will now be available as a material to choose for whatever object and/or slot you like. |
About Modes
KIT OPS works in two different ‘modes.’ The REGULAR mode and GROUP mode. REGULAR mode is the simpler mode, allowing you to just drag and drop INSERTS where you want them. The GROUP mode allows for much more control over the INSERTS after you’ve placed them.
Keep in mind, in KIT OPS, it is possible to take an INSERT which was added in REGULAR mode and convert it for use in GROUP mode. More on that later.
REGULAR Mode
If you just want to get started and don’t want to work with any of the advanced features, then consider using the REGULAR mode. With it you can place multiple INSERTS into your scene. Be sure to first select the target object before placing an INSERT. If no target object is selected, the INSERT will be placed at the cursor location.
In REGULAR mode, all INSERTS have no link to the target object. Because of this, the GROUP mode features, like Mirror, Duplicate, Repeat and Duplicate do not work.
To delete an INSERT
(Note, best to delete INSERTS in GROUP mode because it will select the whole INSERT).
- Be sure you are in GROUP mode.
- Select INSERT and press the X Delete key
- If the INSERT was attached to a target object, then you may want to delete the now empty modifier(s) of that object. If you don’t, the next INSERT you add to that object will automatically clean up the modifier list for you.
To Convert an Object with INSERTS into a mesh
- Press the Convert to mesh button and your object will be converted to a mesh and all modifiers will be subsequently removed.
To Move, Scale or Resize an INSERT at any time
In order to transform the INSERT, you must first select it’s parent object. Typically this means you need to turn on GROUP Mode to auto-select it.
Once the parent INSERT object is selected, you can apply G Grab, R Rotate and S Scale.
Note: Shift+D Duplicate does not work in Regular mode, as it will only duplicate the selected object and not the children, etc. Also, it will not automatically link the cutter object to the target object. If you want to do this, you will need to use GROUP mode.
TIP: You can easily move, rotate and resize your INSERT right after placing. Just press G Grab, R Rotate and S Scale. |
Scale feature during Add INSERT
There are two basic modes for scaling: Auto scale and Original scale. You set this by checking the Auto scale box on or off.
Auto scale mode
When KIT OPS is in Auto scale mode, the scaling controls are enabled. When loaded, the INSERT will be set to one of 3 different scales: Large, Medium and Small. |
Default scale for Large is 100% of the largest side of the bounding box for the target object. For Medium it is 50% and for Small it is 25%. Each of these can be customized separately using the Scale drag bar below the Large, Medium, Small radio buttons.
Also, when inserting and while the INSERT is loaded, the user can scroll the mouse wheel to toggle from Large to Medium, Medium to Small and Small to Large scale.
Original Scale mode
If Auto scale is unchecked, then KIT OPS will insert in Original Scale mode. This is especially important when you know the scale of the INSERT must not change– say for a window, door, person or object which you know is authored in the proper scale.
One feature of Original Scale mode is the user can scroll the mouse wheel to make the object larger or smaller. While this makes the INSERT no longer the original size, the user can always change it back to 1:1 in Blender’s numeric properties panel (N key).
Auto Select Inserts
When GROUP mod is on, you select INSERTS including any objects included within them. This automatically selects the parent of the INSERT, which allows you to easily move, rotate or scale it.
TIP: You should turn GROUP mode off, if you want to select different parts of the INSERT to change their material setting. |
Remove KIT OPS props
You may find in some cases there may be other things like you would like to do– like add an INSERT to an existing INSERT (which isn’t possible). So, for those cases, you can select the INSERT and use the Remove KIT OPS props button. Either select the parent of the INSERT or use GROUP mode to select the whole INSERT.
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GROUP MODE
GROUPmode (previously called SMART mode) can be toggled ON and OFF with no effect on the current scene’s INSERTS.
To use any INSERT in GROUP mode after previously being in REGULAR mode
You can go between Regular mode and Smart mode. Sometimes an INSERT was created in Regular mode, and then you will want to do something like mirror it in GROUP mode.
This is great for Duplicate, Mirror, Apply, Delete, Align and other commands as these are only available in GROUP mode.
As soon as the REGULAR mode is toggled on, many times all existing INSERTS are set to REGULAR mode. This means they lose the link to the target object. They are still connected via the target object modifiers, but KIT OPS no longer knows if and who they are connected to. And without that information, there is no way to create or edit Duplicate, Mirror, Apply, Delete, Align and other commands. Reapplying a target object for an INSERT is simple.
- Deselect everything. Use the Select All button to select all KIT OPS INSERTS.
- Switch to GROUP mode.
- Use the eyedropper tool and choose the target object you want all the INSERTS to connect with. If you have multiple target objects, then you will need to select individual INSTANCES and ‘eyedrop’ them to their respective target.
- NOTE: After you’re in GROUP mode, when you select an INSERT the target object field now has two new controls. The first is an x button which unlinks the INSERT from the target object. The second is a selection lock button, which effectively locks the target object and keeps it from being selected. This is sometimes desirable when trying to select INSERTS and you keep selecting the target object.
The good stuff!
So, let’s go over some of the really cool things you can do in GROUP mode.
- You can Shift+D Duplicate INSERTS to place them in other places on your objects. By doing this, KIT OPS will create new modifiers and copy all the INSERTS parent and child objects.
- After Shift+D you can Shift+R to repeat the action. This way you can create any number of INSERTS along the length of an object.
- You can Mirror the selected INSERT about the X, Y, and Z axis. Once mirrored, they stay as a connected mirror modifier even if you switch to REGULAR mode.
Keep in mind, if you switch to REGULAR mode, none of the changes you made in GROUP mode go away– so everything is preserved!
Alignment in GROUP Mode
It is possible to Align INSERTS to the working plane of the target object. This is done with the Align controls.
The Align controls present themselves automatically when in GROUP mode and an INSERT is selected. Because the INSERT has been applied to a given plane, the Align controls are 2D in nature. When applied, they move the selected INSERT respective to the target object based on the button operation. They consist of the following from top left to bottom right. Align to Top, Align to Bottom, Align to Left, Align to Right, Align to Horizontal Center, Align to Vertical Center, Stretch to match Width, Stretch to match Height. On occasion, the alignment button may not work as you expected. Look in the F9 panel and you’ll see a checkbox which when toggled should provide the desired result. |
Select All button
This button is a very powerful component of KIT OPS. It is used to select all the KIT OPS INSERTS in your scene. After pressing the button, you will see a variety of options at the bottom of the KIT OPS panel. You can also use F6 to view these options.
The default is for all the options to be selected. Solid inserts refers to all the objects in the INSERT which have faces and are not boolean difference or union that are or can be linked to the target object. |
Bool inserts refers to all the boolean difference and union modifiers that are or can be linked to the target object.
Wire inserts refers to non-face, non-boolean geometry. This is sometimes used in creating visual indications for an INSERT.
With some INSERTS, like the large keyboard insert, there are many many objects and you can use these options to properly select the different objects.
Deprecated GROUP MODE features
The following GROUP mode only features, while some are continuing to work, are deprecated in favor of newer features explained above that accomplish many of the same things. These features will be removed in a future version. |
Deleting an INSERT in GROUP mode
Apply button in Smart Mode
Options for Apply in GROUP Mode
Keep INSERT keeps the parent and children parts of the INSERT. You probably want this checked on UNLESS the whole of the INSERT is a modifier (cutter or union object). Then you can toggle this button to remove or keep the full INSERT.
Make real is a checkbox that removes all KIT OPS custom properties from the INSERT and it’s objects. KIT OPS custom properties are used for several things in both REGULAR and GROUP modes. They add zero overhead to the program, but are used for things like selecting, modifying, deleting, transforms and other KIT OPS specific operations. It is not necessary to Make real, but we have added this just in case you would like to do this.
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So, what mode should I work in?
It depends (of course!). If you’re using KIT OPS to add furniture to a living room, then REGULAR mode is fine. In fact if you’re not expecting to move, rotate or resize INSERTS after applying them, then REGULAR mode is fine. If you have literally a massive amount of INSERTS in a scene, then REGULAR mode is faster.
If you like to delete INSERTS with the X key, then GROUP mode is probably what you want.
If you want to continually tweak, duplicate, mirror, move, rotate and scale your INSERTS, then GROUP mode is for you. Keep in mind, you can easily toggle between the two modes with the only caveat being that you may need to reassign the target objects, which is an easy process and discussed above.
It is generally advised to work in the less processor intensive REGULAR mode when possible and to toggle into GROUP mode only when needing to access those specific features.
FACTORY mode
What is FACTORY mode?
Simply, FACTORY mode is the part of KIT OPS where you create and edit INSERTS. INSERTS are specially prepared .blend files.
A KEY concept about FACTORY mode is the understanding KIT OPS is smart enough to know when it is editing (not creating) an existing INSERT. It does this by checking to see if the INSERT is part of a registered KIT OPS MASTERFOLDER KPACK Set (as specified in the KIT OPS Preferences. If you are trying to EDIT an INSERT, and FACTORY mode is not present, then the INSERT isn’t registered properly. |
There are a number of different ways you can create and edit INSERTS. New in KIT OPS 2 is the ability to create INSERTS directly from a scene using something we call In-Scene FACTORY mode. This creates a significant streamlining of the user experience and interface. You can also now create MATERIAL INSERTS which are used to store a given material.
Creating INSERTS
There are now two different ways to create an INSERT. As mentioned above, In-Scene FACTORY mode creates an INSERT directly from the scene you are currently working on. You can also use the legacy and traditional New-Scene FACTORY mode where you create the INSERT from a new scene.
Common to all FACTORY modes are object settings which need to be set for all objects in the INSERT.
FACTORY mode interface and properties
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Cutter Modes
When assigning the Cutter property to a boolean object of an INSERT in FACTORY mode, there are several options available: Difference- This is the default mode and tells KIT OPS to set the modifier to be a Boolean Difference to the target object Union- This tells KIT OPS to set the modifier to be a Boolean Union to the target object. Intersect- This tells KIT OPS to set the modifier to be a Boolean Intersect to the target object. Insert- This unique setting tells KIT OPS to use this only as a modifier for the INSERT and not the target object. Useful when trying to create a Difference from an existing object set to Difference. |
There are 3 different modes for Factory: In-Scene, New-Scene and Open-Scene
In-Scene Factory mode
means you are able to create an INSERT while you are working in an existing scene. KIT OPS will create a new scene in your existing .blend file and move your selected objects to it for INSERT creation. Once completed, you can close the factory scene and you go back to your original working scene.
New-Scene Factory mode
is when you start with a brand new file and create your INSERT. As soon as you save the .blend file to a registered KPACK folder, KIT OPS will immediately switch to Open-Scene Factory mode.
Open-Scene Factory mode
is when you open up an INSERT directly in Blender to edit it. KIT OPS "knows" whether or not a file is an INSERT based upon whether or not it's stored in a registered KPACK folder, and switches the interface to Factory mode as soon as it is detected.
In-Scene FACTORY mode
Here is the typical Workflow using In-Scene FACTORY mode
First, you need to press the Create INSERT button on KIT OPS. This will create a brand new scene in your current .blend file and load it with the necessary objects for creating your INSERT and thumbnail.
1. Select Objects in the current scene you want to make and parent them accordingly.
You need to parent the objects to a single parent object.* If there is a main cutting object, then consider using it.Then you select the parent object and you press the Create INSERT button which will copy the parent and child objects to a new scene in your current Blender file called KITOPS FACTORY.
*It is not necessary to parent if the object only has boolean cutters or unions as KIT OPS will smartly detect those and parent them accordingly.
2. Set Origin, Scale and Rotate properties of parents and children objects
(This can also have been done previous to coming to FACTORY mode)
It’s important the origin of the parent object be correct as it is where the INSERT will be applied. It doesn’t matter if it’s at 0,0,0 but it’s a good idea for creating thumbnails and testing your INSERT to set it there. Make sure the scale and rotation values are the defaults as well. A parent object with a different rotation or scale will not work properly.
3. Assign Properties for all objects
You now can apply different properties for the objects in the INSERT.
See Factory Mode Interface for instructions on what are the individuals properties to be assigned.
4. Save INSERT
Press the Save INSERT button and the Blender File View window will display opened to the current KPACK folder as defined in the Regular mode interface.
5. Create Thumbnail
Use the KIT OPS FACTORY control panel to create a thumbnail. See Creating Thumbnails for more information.
6. Go back to the original scene
Press the Close Factory Scene button to remove the INSERT scene and go back to the original scene.
NOTE: Once you enter FACTORY mode, you will lose your existing object in the main scene, so please save your scene.
TIP: If you enter FACTORY mode from In-Scene Editing, you may decide to exit without making changes. But if you do, you will lose your INSERT object, so just use the UNDO CTRL + Z to take you back without losing any information. |
New-Scene FACTORY mode
This FACTORY mode is the legacy default mode, where you can create your INSERT in a new scene, and once you save it in a registered KPACK folder, the KIT OPS interface will switch to FACTORY mode where you can set the appropriate properties.
Open-Scene Factory mode
There are two ways to edit an existing INSERT. The first to use the Edit INSERT button with the INSERT you want to edit being shown in the thumbnail display as shown below.
This new way to quickly edit an INSERT is to find it in the thumbnail browser, then just press the Edit INSERT button. You will be prompted to Lose unsaved changes? This is because the button will directly open the INSERT blend file for editing in Open-Scene Factory mode and you will not have an opportunity to save your changes. So, always save changes before pressing the Edit INSERT button. After successfully pressing the button, the INSERT will open in the Open Scene Editing mode (below). |
You can also open and edit an INSERT .blend file directly using the Blender File View panel. Once open, KIT OPS will check to see if the .blend file resides in a KPACK folder (based on KIT OPS preferences) and automatically load itself in FACTORY mode.
Then you can edit your INSERT just as you would in legacy mode and save it, and create a thumbnail.
NOTE: Do not SAVE your INSERT after loading the render scene for the thumbnail (the SAVE INSERT button goes away, but you can still accidentally save from the File menu or using CTRL+S which you should not do!) Instead use the REVERT file menu item. |
Creating Materials
You can now create Materials INSERTS directly from within your scene file. It’s easy. Just select the object that has the material you want (in material slot 1), then press the Create Material INSERT button, name it and save it. You can press numpad 0 to then go to camera view and then press Render Thumbnail, then Close FACTORY Scene to go back to where you were.
Creating Thumbnails
Creating individual thumbnails has also received some much needed attention. Gone is the batch thumbnail mode– there’s a new product called KIT OPS BATCH that does that and a whole lot more in a much simpler interface and workflow. Check it out.
When in FACTORY mode, you can easily create a thumbnail for your INSERT by doing the following:
- Thumbnails can only be created for INSERTS that are saved– so first save your INSERT.
- If your INSERT has a cutter, then move it to the floor until you see it cut into the floor.
- Next, go into Camera mode by pressing Numpad + 0
- If the INSERT isn’t framed properly, then press the Camera to INSERT button.
- Now, check the framing. If it’s not correct, then adjust it. If the lighting is not correct, then adjust the lighting.
- Press the Render Thumbnail button and you’re done!
- Press the Close FACTORY Scene button (visible only if you came from a different scene).
Addendum
Anatomy of a KIT OPS INSERT
An INSERT in KIT OPS is a plain .blend file which has some added custom properties so the KIT OPS engine can provide more functionality. Many of the INSERTS you use have a boolean “cutter” object which is used as the target object modifier, and in fact can be inspected in the target object modifier stack.
Many INSERTS also have non-boolean objects. This thumbnail image of a KIT OPS keypad INSERT shows both the boolean “cutter” and the non-boolean key objects. The cutter is shown in orange. When applied, the cutter is attached to the target object as a boolean difference modifier. In almost all of these cases, the cutter object is also the parent of all of the other objects in the INSERT. Sometimes the boolean object is a union and not a difference object. In these cases the INSERT is added to the target object and is not subtracted. |
Tips
How to use a boolean object's material in the target object
Here’s how you can change the material of your boolean cutter and have it shown on your target object.
https://youtu.be/Ha-BSgLYDYU?si=HlnuXoWecES-o7YQ&t=86
Smoothing issues and how to fix them when using INSERTS
Sometimes you may encounter smoothing issues. Here are a few ways of troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
To create your own material ball
Load Factory defaults in Blender. This disables both the KIT OPS and SYNTH addons. Edit the material.blend file found in your addons masterfolder, keep the same object name and save it. Then restart Blender.
The Add INSERT and Add Materials buttons are disabled
These buttons are auto-disabled when either:
- In Local mode
- In Quad View mode
KIT OPS 2 keeps throwing an error
Make sure you are using Blender 2.83 or greater. If so, then proceed to First Steps below.
First Steps
Make sure and TURN OFF Smart Mode. It can sometimes interfere with operations like “Convert to Mesh.”
Also, try re-installing KIT OPS PRO if you’re having trouble creating INSERTS. You may have accidentally saved over the Factory file.
If you’re still having trouble with the addon, please check out http://cw1.me/troubleshoot
How to I select individual parts of an INSERT?
You need to make sure Auto select is OFF in order to select part of an INSERT.
My machine slows down when I use too many INSERTS. How do I speed it up?
Different computers perform better based on specs. If you’re having performance issues after adding multiple INSERTS, here are some ideas you may wish to try:
- Use REGULAR mode and only switch to GROUP mode when you need to use GROUP mode features. Don't forget to 're-target' the INSERT if you go to GROUP mode.
- Look at your modifiers list for the target object and see how many you have. You may find out you are actually installing lots of modifiers. Remember complex INSERTS can have multiple modifiers as well.
- Apply the modifiers after you place them, then they will not be placed in the modifier list and things will go much faster.
How do I install other KIT OPS KPACKS of INSERTS? Like the Bonus one?
Read the KPACKS install instructions
Not seeing any thumbnails
This is if you’re not using the fast thumbnail cache introduced in the BRONSON Edition.
Sometimes it can take quite some time for thumbnails to display. The thumbnail rendering routine in KIT OPS is the same as in many other addons, and is an integral part of Blender.
Thumbnails are “multi-threaded” and have a lower priority than other threads in Blender. This means if you have something else going on (like EEVEE rendering) it can slow down the thumbnail display– especially if you have a slower computer.
Also, be sure the INSERTS have a .png file with the same name as the .blend INSERT file. So if an INSERT file is named foo.blend, the thumbnail would be foo.png. If it is not, it will not render.
If you are not seeing any thumbnails, you may have overtaxed the resources of Blender. Try turning off some of the addons and see if that doesn’t help. If not then check out http://cw1.me/troubleshoot
Where does Blender actually install addons?
To find Blender's add-on directory, switch to Blender's Python Console window, type the following commands:
import bpy
bpy.utils.script_path_user()
Blender will tell you where the add-on directory is.
Why is my INSERT being added upside down?
This is because either your INSERT has flipped faces, or the object you’re adding to has flipped faces. See the diagram below to show the status of all faces (blue are correct and face outwards, red are reversed and face inwards– you want to add to blue faces).
Why does my INSERT throw off the smoothing of the target object?
You may need to check your auto smooth settings:
Or, you may have custom split normals on your cutter as shown below (If it says Clear Custom Split Normals Data– then you do have custom split normals.)
See for more details: https://youtu.be/pESAuH8VAOs
Why can’t I load KPACKS?
You need to unzip them first. See Installing KPACKS
Uninstalling the Thumbnail Cache Engine ( Pillow )
delete the following folders from c:\users\ <username> \appdata\roaming\python\python37\site-packages: PIL Pillow-8.2.0.dist-info(edited)
Why don’t my INSERTS display the correct texture maps?
There are a few reasons why this might be the case.
- Firstly, make sure the material you use has a unique name. If KIT OPS adds an INSERT, and there are already materials in the scene with the same name, it will use the existing material that is already there. This way you don’t end up creating a huge material list which chews up all your graphics memory.
- You may need to turn on Automatically Pack into .blend under File > External Data. See image below. FWIW, most people enable this feature in their startup file. This has been fixed in the RAVEN Edition. So, if you’re still seeing this problem, then the issue is that you are using CTRL + S to save your INSERT and not the Save INSERT button. Always use the Save INSERT button!
Known Issues
Complex Cutters don’t always work
This is a known problem for legacy INSERTS. Best is to open them up in KIT OPS PRO, and just save them without doing anything. Then they are fixed!
KIT OPS Crashes Blender 2.83 when animating, rendering or Indirect Light baking
This is a known problem for some users, though our developers cannot duplicate it. We believe it has to do with some core Blender routines and we’re waiting on some fixes to resolve it.This only happens when GROUP mode is turned on in KIT OPS PRO. We suggest keeping Smart mode off unless you are using it.
UPDATE: Many users have reported a corrupted startup scene and/or prefs file are responsible for this crash. To identify if this is the case, see http://cw1.me/troubleshoot
UPDATE: This issue seems to be fixed with Blender 2.9+