refactor export_indicators.py and get colour changes to work for exported objects. make sure everything is pep8 compliant. finish readme and blender_manifest

Author: speculative-artefact

README.md

@@ -1,2 +1,62 @@
-# blender_exporter
-A Blender add-on to make the exporting of meshes easier
+# EasyMesh Batch Exporter for Blender
+
+![License: GPL-2.0-or-later](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-GPL--2.0--or--later-blue.svg)
+![Blender: 4.2+](https://img.shields.io/badge/Blender-4.2+-orange.svg)
+
+A Blender add-on for batch exporting multiple selected mesh objects with customisable settings, including LOD generation and viewport indicators for recent exports.
+
+## Features
+
+* **Batch Export:** Export multiple selected mesh objects at once.
+* **Multiple Formats:** Supports exporting to FBX, OBJ, glTF (gltf+bin+textures), USD, and STL.
+* **Custom Transforms:**
+    * Optionally zero the object's location before export.
+    * Apply custom export scale (behaviour dependent on exporter).
+    * Set custom Forward and Up axes.
+* **Naming Options:** Add custom prefixes and suffixes to exported filenames.
+* **Mesh Processing:**
+    * Apply all existing (visible) modifiers before export.
+    * Optionally triangulate meshes using different methods.
+    * Optionally generate Levels of Detail (LODs) using the Decimate modifier (creates `_LOD00`, `_LOD01`, etc. files).
+* **Export Indicators:** Provides visual feedback in the viewport for recently exported objects (Green = fresh, Yellow = stale) and lists them in the panel.
+* **Status Bar Progress:** Shows export progress in Blender's status bar for longer operations.
+
+## Installation
+
+1.  Download the latest release `.zip` file from the [Releases page](https://github.com/doommchips/blender_mesh_exporter/releases).
+2.  In Blender, go to `Edit` > `Preferences...`.
+3.  Navigate to the `Add-ons` tab.
+4.  Click `Install...` and select the downloaded `.zip` file.
+5.  Find the add-on named "EasyMesh Batch Exporter" in the list (you can search for it).
+6.  Enable the add-on by checking the checkbox next to its name.
+
+## Usage
+
+1.  **Find the Panel:** The add-on's panel appears in the 3D Viewport's Sidebar (Press `N` key if hidden) under the "Exporter" tab.
+2.  **Select Objects:** Select one or more mesh objects you want to export in the 3D Viewport.
+3.  **Configure Settings:** Adjust the settings in the "Batch Exporter" panel:
+    * **Export Path:** Choose the directory where files will be saved.
+    * **Format:** Select the desired output file format (FBX, OBJ, etc.).
+    * **Coordinate System:** Set the Forward and Up axes according to your target application's needs.
+    * **Scale:** Set the global export scale (if supported by the format).
+    * **Zero Location:** If checked, object copies will have their location set to (0,0,0) before export.
+    * **Triangulate:** If checked, applies triangulation to the exported mesh copy. Choose the desired method.
+    * **Rename File:** Add optional Prefix and/or Suffix to the exported filenames.
+    * **LOD Generation (Optional):** Check the box in the "LOD Generation" sub-panel header to enable it. Configure the number of LODs, Decimation Type, and Ratio/Iterations for each level. Note that LOD0 is the base mesh (after base modifiers/triangulation), and subsequent LODs are generated progressively from fresh copies.
+4.  **Export:** Click the "Export Selected Meshes" button.
+5.  **Progress:** Monitor the export progress in Blender's bottom status bar. Console output provides detailed logs.
+
+## Export Indicators
+
+* After an object is successfully exported (including all its LODs if enabled), it will be marked in the viewport.
+* **Green:** Object exported within the last minute (`FRESH`).
+* **Yellow:** Object exported within the last 5 minutes (`STALE`).
+* **Normal Color:** Object export indicator has expired, or indicators were cleared.
+* **Visibility:** To see these colours in the 3D Viewport, ensure you are in **Solid** display mode and that the **Shading -> Color** type is set to **Object**.
+    ![Viewport Shading Object Color](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/_images/editors_3dview_controls_shading_solid_color_object.png) *(Image from Blender Manual)*
+* **Recent Exports Panel:** A list of recently exported objects (still FRESH or STALE) appears in a sub-panel. Clicking the icon selects the object.
+* **Clear Indicators:** The "Clear All Export Indicators" button at the bottom of the "Recent Exports" panel will immediately remove the status from all objects and restore their original viewport colors.
+
+*(Optional: Add a screenshot of your add-on's panel here)*
+```markdown
+![Add-on Panel Screenshot](placeholder_panel_screenshot.png)

__init__.py

@@ -13,26 +13,7 @@
 #
 # Copyright (C) 2025 Bradley Walker
 
-bl_info = {
-    "name": "EasyMesh Batch Exporter",
-    "author": "Bradley Walker",
-    "version": (1, 1, 0),
-    "blender": (4, 2, 0), 
-    "location": "View3D > Sidebar > Exporter",
-    "description": (
-        "Batch export multiple selected mesh objects with customisable "
-        "settings like LOD generation, triangulation, prefix/suffix "
-        "naming, and transform options. Useful for game development "
-        "pipelines."
-    ),
-    "warning": "",
-    "doc_url": "",
-    "category": "Import-Export",
-}
-
 import bpy
-
-# Import other modules
 from . import properties
 from . import operators
 from . import panels
@@ -49,7 +30,7 @@ def register():
     properties.register_properties()
     for cls in classes:
         bpy.utils.register_class(cls)
-    export_indicators.register() # Register timer and indicator operators/panels
+    export_indicators.register() # Register timer and indic operators/panels
 
 def unregister():
     export_indicators.unregister() # Unregister timer first

blender_manifest.toml

@@ -1,82 +1,45 @@
 schema_version = "1.0.0"
 
-# Example of manifest file for a Blender extension
-# Change the values according to your extension
-id = "mesh_exporter"
+id = "easymesh_batch_exporter"
 version = "1.0.0"
-name = "Mesh Exporter"
-tagline = "Make exporting meshes easier"
+name = "EasyMesh Batch Exporter"
+tagline = "Batch export meshes with LODs, triangulation, custom transforms, and naming."
 maintainer = "Bradley Walker"
-# Supported types: "add-on", "theme"
 type = "add-on"
 
-# Optional link to documentation, support, source files, etc
-# website = "https://extensions.blender.org/add-ons/my-example-package/"
+# Optional: Add URL to GitHub repo or documentation if available
+website = "https://github.com/doommchips/blender_mesh_exporter/releases"
 
-# Optional list defined by Blender and server, see:
-# https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/tags.html
 tags = [
-  "Import-Export", 
+  "Import-Export",
   "Mesh",
   "Object",
   "Pipeline",
-  "User Interface"]
+  "User Interface",
+  "3D View",
+  "Game Engine"
+]
 
 blender_version_min = "4.2.0"
-# # Optional: Blender version that the extension does not support, earlier versions are supported.
-# # This can be omitted and defined later on the extensions platform if an issue is found.
 # blender_version_max = "5.1.0"
 
-# License conforming to https://spdx.org/licenses/ (use "SPDX: prefix)
-# https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/licenses.html
 license = [
   "SPDX:GPL-2.0-or-later",
 ]
-# Optional: required by some licenses.
 copyright = [
   "2025 Bradley Walker"
 ]
 
-# Optional list of supported platforms. If omitted, the extension will be available in all operating systems.
-# platforms = ["windows-x64", "macos-arm64", "linux-x64"]
-# Other supported platforms: "windows-arm64", "macos-x64"
-
-# Optional: bundle 3rd party Python modules.
-# https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/python_wheels.html
-# wheels = [
-#   "./wheels/hexdump-3.3-py3-none-any.whl",
-#   "./wheels/jsmin-3.0.1-py3-none-any.whl",
-# ]
+platforms = ["windows-x64", "macos-arm64", "linux-x64"]
+# wheels = []
 
-# Optional: add-ons can list which resources they will require:
-# * files (for access of any filesystem operations)
-# * network (for internet access)
-# * clipboard (to read and/or write the system clipboard)
-# * camera (to capture photos and videos)
-# * microphone (to capture audio)
-#
-# If using network, remember to also check `bpy.app.online_access`
-# https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/addons.html#internet-access
-#
-# For each permission it is important to also specify the reason why it is required.
-# Keep this a single short sentence without a period (.) at the end.
-# For longer explanations use the documentation or detail page.
-#
-# [permissions]
-# network = "Need to sync motion-capture data to server"
-# files = "Import/export FBX from/to disk"
-# clipboard = "Copy and paste bone transforms"
+# Declare necessary permissions
+[permissions]
+files = "Export mesh files to the specified directory"
 
-# Optional: build settings.
-# https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/command_line_arguments.html#command-line-args-extension-build
 # [build]
-# paths_exclude_pattern = [
-#   "__pycache__/",
-#   "/.git/",
-#   "/*.zip",
-# ]
+# paths_exclude_pattern = []
 
-# Add-on features for search filters
 [features]
 workspace = true
 ui = true