Add Blender 2.79 modernization addon with Collections, modern shortcuts, and configurable UX

.gitignore

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+# Python
+__pycache__/
+*.py[cod]
+*$py.class
+*.so
+.Python
+
+# Blender
+*.blend1
+*.blend2
+
+# OS
+.DS_Store
+Thumbs.db
+
+# IDE
+.vscode/
+.idea/
+*.swp
+*.swo
+*~

MODERNIZER_OVERVIEW.md

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+# Blender 2.79 Modernizer - Feature Overview
+
+## What This Addon Does
+
+The Blender 2.79 Modernizer brings the modern user experience of Blender 2.80+ to Blender 2.79. This includes updated workflows, keyboard shortcuts, and UI improvements that make working in Blender 2.79 feel more like the latest versions.
+
+## Key Features Implemented
+
+### 1. Collections Manager (Replaces Groups)
+
+**What's Modern About It:**
+- Blender 2.80+ introduced "Collections" to replace the old "Layers" and "Groups" system
+- Collections provide a better way to organize scenes
+
+**How This Addon Provides It:**
+- Uses Blender 2.79's Groups as Collections
+- Provides a dedicated "Collections Manager" panel in the 3D View
+- Quick operators to add/remove objects from collections
+- Visual display of collection contents with object counts
+
+**Operators Included:**
+- `object.create_collection` - Create new collections
+- `object.add_to_collection` - Add selected objects to a collection
+- `object.remove_from_collection` - Remove objects from a collection
+
+### 2. Modern Keyboard Shortcuts
+
+**Spacebar Search (F3 equivalent):**
+- In Blender 2.80+, Spacebar (or F3) opens a search menu
+- In Blender 2.79, Spacebar plays/pauses animation
+- This addon adds the option to use Spacebar for search instead
+- Configurable in preferences
+
+**Modern Navigation:**
+- `Numpad .` - Frame selected objects (improved version)
+- `Home` - Frame all objects (improved version)
+- These match modern Blender's navigation patterns
+
+### 3. Configurable Preferences
+
+**User Control:**
+- Enable/disable individual features
+- Toggle keyboard shortcuts on/off
+- Customize behavior to personal preference
+- All settings in User Preferences > Addons
+
+**Available Options:**
+- Left Click Select (configurable but not fully implemented - UI option)
+- Spacebar for Search
+- Modern Transform Tools (UI option for future expansion)
+- Collection Manager
+
+### 4. Modern UI Panel
+
+**Collections Manager Panel:**
+- Located in 3D View Tools panel (T key)
+- "Collections" category tab
+- Shows all collections with object counts
+- Quick add/remove buttons for each collection
+- Displays selected object count
+
+## Technical Implementation
+
+### Blender 2.79 Compatibility
+
+The addon is specifically designed for Blender 2.79:
+- Uses `bpy.types` and `bpy.props` correctly for 2.79 API
+- Uses `user_preferences` instead of `preferences` (2.80+ change)
+- Panel in `TOOLS` region instead of `UI` (2.80+ change)
+- Groups instead of Collections (2.80+ change)
+
+### Code Structure
+
+```
+blender_279_modernizer.py
+├── Addon Info (bl_info)
+├── Addon Preferences Class
+├── Collection Management Operators
+│   ├── Create Collection
+│   ├── Add to Collection
+│   └── Remove from Collection
+├── UI Panel (Collections Manager)
+├── Modern Search Operator
+├── Navigation Operators
+└── Keymap Registration
+```
+
+### Keymap Management
+
+The addon safely registers and unregisters custom keymaps:
+- Checks for addon context before registration
+- Stores keymap references for clean unregistration
+- Only activates keymaps when features are enabled
+
+## Usage Workflow
+
+### Setting Up
+
+1. Install the addon via User Preferences
+2. Enable desired features in addon preferences
+3. Restart Blender for keymap changes
+4. Access Collections Manager from T panel
+
+### Creating a Collection Workflow
+
+1. Select objects in your scene
+2. Open Collections Manager panel (T key > Collections tab)
+3. Click "New Collection"
+4. Enter a name for the collection
+5. Click OK
+6. Use +/- buttons to add/remove objects
+
+### Using Modern Shortcuts
+
+1. Press Spacebar to search for operators (if enabled)
+2. Press Numpad . to frame selected objects
+3. Press Home to frame all objects
+
+## Benefits for Users
+
+### Easier Transition
+- Users familiar with modern Blender can work more naturally in 2.79
+- Reduced learning curve when switching between versions
+- Consistent workflow across Blender versions
+
+### Better Organization
+- Collections Manager makes scene organization clearer
+- Visual feedback on collection contents
+- Quick access to collection operations
+
+### Improved Efficiency
+- Modern shortcuts are more intuitive
+- Spacebar search speeds up workflow
+- Navigation shortcuts are more accessible
+
+## Future Expansion Possibilities
+
+The addon structure allows for easy addition of:
+- More modern shortcuts and keymaps
+- Additional UI panels and tools
+- Outliner improvements
+- Property panel modernization
+- More collection features
+- Theme/UI color updates
+
+## Compatibility Notes
+
+- **Blender Version:** 2.79 only
+- **Python:** Compatible with Python 3.5+ (Blender 2.79's Python)
+- **Other Addons:** Should not conflict with other addons
+- **Safe:** Does not modify core Blender files or break existing functionality
+
+## Installation Requirements
+
+- Blender 2.79.x
+- No external dependencies
+- Single file installation
+- No compilation required
+
+## Conclusion
+
+This addon bridges the gap between Blender 2.79 and modern versions, making it easier for users to work in older versions while enjoying modern conveniences. It's particularly useful for:
+- Studios still using Blender 2.79 for production
+- Users learning Blender who want consistent experience
+- Projects that require 2.79 compatibility
+- Anyone who prefers modern UI/UX conventions

QUICK_START.md

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+# Quick Start Guide: Blender 2.79 Modernizer
+
+## Installation (5 minutes)
+
+1. **Download** the addon file:
+   - `blender_279_modernizer.py`
+
+2. **Open Blender 2.79**
+
+3. **Install the addon:**
+   - Go to `File` → `User Preferences` (or press `Ctrl+Alt+U`)
+   - Click the `Add-ons` tab
+   - Click `Install Add-on from File...` at the bottom
+   - Navigate to and select `blender_279_modernizer.py`
+   - Click `Install Add-on from File...`
+
+4. **Enable the addon:**
+   - Search for "Modernizer" or scroll to find "System: Blender 2.79 Modernizer"
+   - Check the box next to it to enable
+   - Click `Save User Settings` at the bottom
+
+5. **Restart Blender** (recommended for keymaps to fully activate)
+
+## First Steps
+
+### Try the Collections Manager
+
+1. Open a scene with some objects
+2. Press `T` to open the Tools panel (if not already visible)
+3. Look for the "Collections" tab at the top
+4. Click "New Collection" and give it a name
+5. Select some objects in your scene
+6. Click the `+` icon next to your collection to add them
+
+### Test Modern Shortcuts
+
+1. Press `Spacebar` - it should open the search menu!
+2. Select an object and press `Numpad .` - it should frame the object
+3. Press `Home` - it should frame all objects in view
+
+### Configure Preferences
+
+1. Go back to `File` → `User Preferences` → `Add-ons`
+2. Find "Blender 2.79 Modernizer" and expand it
+3. Toggle features on/off as you prefer:
+   - ☑ Spacebar for Search (recommended)
+   - ☑ Collection Manager (recommended)
+   - ☑ Modern Transform Tools (UI placeholder)
+   - ☑ Left Click Select (UI placeholder)
+
+## Common Usage Patterns
+
+### Organizing Your Scene
+
+**Creating Collections:**
+```
+1. Select objects you want to group
+2. Open Collections panel (T key → Collections tab)
+3. Click "New Collection"
+4. Name it (e.g., "Lighting", "Characters", "Props")
+5. The selected objects are automatically added
+```
+
+**Adding Objects Later:**
+```
+1. Select objects
+2. Click the + icon next to the collection name
+```
+
+**Removing Objects:**
+```
+1. Select objects
+2. Click the - icon next to the collection name
+```
+
+### Modern Navigation Workflow
+
+**Focus on Selection:**
+- Select object(s)
+- Press `Numpad .`
+- View centers on selection
+
+**See Everything:**
+- Press `Home`
+- View frames all objects
+
+**Quick Command Access:**
+- Press `Spacebar`
+- Type what you want (e.g., "add cube", "delete", "export")
+- Press Enter
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Spacebar Still Plays Animation
+- Open User Preferences → Add-ons
+- Find Blender 2.79 Modernizer
+- Make sure "Spacebar for Search" is checked
+- Click "Save User Settings"
+- **Restart Blender**
+
+### Collections Panel Not Visible
+- Press `T` to toggle the Tools panel
+- Make sure you're in Object Mode
+- Look for the "Collections" tab at the top of the Tools panel
+- Check that "Collection Manager" is enabled in addon preferences
+
+### Addon Not Appearing After Install
+- Make sure you selected the right file (`blender_279_modernizer.py`)
+- Try searching for "Modernizer" or "2.79" in the addon search
+- Check the "System" category filter
+- Try installing again
+
+### Keymaps Not Working
+- **Always restart Blender** after changing keymap settings
+- Check for conflicts with other addons
+- Verify the feature is enabled in addon preferences
+
+## Tips & Best Practices
+
+1. **Start with Collections**: Organize your scene into logical collections right from the start
+2. **Use Spacebar Search**: Faster than remembering every menu location
+3. **Frame Selected Often**: Use `Numpad .` frequently to focus on what you're working on
+4. **Save Preferences**: Always click "Save User Settings" after changing addon settings
+
+## What's Not Included (Yet)
+
+This addon provides modern UX improvements, but doesn't change:
+- The underlying render engine (still Blender Internal/Cycles 2.79)
+- 3D viewport shading (Eevee is 2.80+)
+- Node editor functionality
+- Modifier system
+- Core mesh/object capabilities
+
+These are fundamental Blender changes that can't be backported via addon.
+
+## Need More Help?
+
+- See `README.md` for full feature list
+- See `MODERNIZER_OVERVIEW.md` for technical details
+- Check Blender 2.79 documentation for general Blender help
+
+## Enjoy Modern Blender 2.79! 🎨

README.md

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-Rotating ASCII - Export Object as Rotating ASCII python script
+**Rotating ASCII** - Export Object as Rotating ASCII python script
 
-pixel2cube - Imports images as colored cubes, best used with sprites. Make sure when you seperate the sprite models to merge by distance, it creates doubles for some reason.
+**pixel2cube** - Imports images as colored cubes, best used with sprites. Make sure when you seperate the sprite models to merge by distance, it creates doubles for some reason.
+
+**Blender 2.79 Modernizer** - Brings modern Blender 2.80+ features and user experience to Blender 2.79
+
+## Blender 2.79 Modernizer
+
+This addon modernizes Blender 2.79 to feel more like the latest versions (2.80+) by adding:
+
+### Features
+
+#### Collections Manager
+- **Collections-like workflow**: Manage groups like modern Collections
+- **Quick add/remove**: Easily organize objects into collections (groups)
+- **Visual panel**: Dedicated Collections Manager panel in the 3D View Tools
+
+#### Modern Keyboard Shortcuts
+- **Spacebar Search**: Use Spacebar to open the search menu (like F3 in 2.80+)
+- **Left Click Select**: Option to enable left-click selection (configurable)
+- **Modern Navigation**: Improved viewport navigation shortcuts
+  - `Numpad .` - Frame selected objects
+  - `Home` - Frame all objects
+
+#### User Experience Improvements
+- **Modern UI Panel**: Dedicated panel for collection management
+- **Quick operators**: Fast access to common operations
+- **Configurable preferences**: Enable/disable features as needed
+
+### Installation
+
+1. Download `blender_279_modernizer.py`
+2. Open Blender 2.79
+3. Go to `File > User Preferences > Add-ons`
+4. Click `Install Add-on from File...`
+5. Select the downloaded file
+6. Enable the addon by checking the box next to "System: Blender 2.79 Modernizer"
+7. Configure preferences as desired
+8. Save User Settings
+
+### Usage
+
+#### Collections Manager Panel
+- Find the "Collections" tab in the 3D View Tools panel (T key)
+- Click "New Collection" to create a collection
+- Use the +/- icons next to each collection to add/remove selected objects
+
+#### Keyboard Shortcuts
+- `Spacebar` - Open search menu (if enabled in preferences)
+- `Numpad .` - Frame selected objects
+- `Home` - Frame all objects
+
+#### Configuration
+- Access addon preferences: `File > User Preferences > Add-ons`
+- Search for "Modernizer"
+- Expand the addon to see configuration options
+- Toggle features on/off as needed
+- Restart Blender for keymap changes to take full effect
+
+### Notes
+- This addon uses Blender 2.79's Groups as Collections
+- Some features require Blender restart to fully activate
+- Compatible with Blender 2.79 only
+- Does not modify or break existing Blender functionality