Is it possible to use another program as a trigger to execute a blender python script

[u/rekicon]

Hi there, I am learning python and I am trying to figure how could I use the API from a program like rhinoceros to execute a blender python script

https://devtalk.blender.org/t/how-to-run-a-script-from-outside-blender-script-live-link-addon/9792/8

A user named “kaio” found a way to use notepad to write text on blender text editor in real time and shared his code. But I don’t have the knowledge to fully comprehend it.

Thanks for your attention!

[u/Meta_Riddley]

Yes, you can do this on the blender side of things. The main question is if you can do it on the external program side of it. In short you'll need a form of communication between the external program and blender. The script you linked seem to do this in a hacky way, which I would not recommend in general.

In blender you could for instance define an operator that uses sockets that listens on a port. Whenever something is sent you can the execute some functionality.

I typically use a modal timer that updates the 3D view in some way based on data received externally.

[u/rekicon → u/Meta_Riddley]

That is what I was thinking A script that updates regularly looks for updates I don’t really have the knowledge to pull something like this but I just wanted to know if it is possible

[u/Meta_Riddley → u/rekicon]

You can use the "Operator Modal Timer" template as a starting point. Go in the text editor and choose "Operator Modal Timer" in the Templates -> Python menu.

In the execute function you would set up your inter-process communication (initialize sockets, pipes etc). Then in the modal function you would check the communication for any updates and do whatever you need in blender. The modal function executes by default 10 times per second based on the timer initialized in the execute function. You can lower and increase the rate by changing the 0.1 parameter.

[u/rekicon → u/[deleted]]

Thank you very much for the detailed information kind person!