Blender MCP Server for n8n

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes Blender's 3D modeling capabilities to n8n workflows.

System Architecture

To avoid confusion, this project consists of two core components:

1. Blender MCP Addon: A plugin installed inside Blender. It acts as the local execution engine, receiving commands and manipulating the 3D scene.
2. MCP Bridge Server: A standalone Python server (src/) that acts as the gateway. Clients like n8n connect to this Bridge, which then forwards commands to the active Blender Addon.

graph LR
    n8n[n8n / AI Agent] -- "MCP (HTTP Streamable)" --> Bridge[MCP Bridge Server]
    Bridge -- "Local WebSockets" --> Addon[Blender MCP Addon]
    Addon -- "Python API" --> Blender[Blender Engine]

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Quick Start

1. Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Configuration

Create a .env file in the root directory to customize your setup:

Variable	Description	Default
MCP_BRIDGE_HOST	Host IP for the MCP Bridge Server	0.0.0.0
MCP_BRIDGE_PORT	Port for the MCP Bridge Server (n8n connects here)	8008
BLENDER_ADDON_HOST	IP where Blender is running (for Bridge to connect to)	127.0.0.1
BLENDER_ADDON_PORT	Port Blender addon is listening on	8888
BLENDER_ASSETS_DIR	Directory to resolve relative textures/HDRIs	(Optional)

Installation

Method 1: Zip & Install (Recommended)

1. Zip the blender_mcp_addon folder (into blender_mcp_addon.zip).
2. Open Blender.
3. Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.
4. Click Install... and select the .zip file.
5. Search for "Blender MCP" and enable the checkbox.

Method 2: Manual Copy (Developer)

1. Copy the blender_mcp_addon folder to your Blender addons directory:
   • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.x\scripts\addons
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.x/scripts/addons
2. Restart Blender.
3. Enable "Blender MCP" in Preferences.

Why a folder instead of a single file?

As the addon grows, a single 1800+ line file becomes unmaintainable. We've split the logic into functional modules (modeling, materials, anim, etc.) to make it professional, readable, and easier to extend.

Usage

1. Start Blender MCP Addon

1. Open the N Panel (press N in the 3D Viewport).
2. Look for the Blender MCP tab.
3. Click Start MCP Server.

2. Start the MCP Bridge Server

# Standard mode
python -m src.main serve

# Recording mode (Save all commands to a file)
python -m src.main serve --record my_session.json --name "Building My House"

The server will start on http://localhost:8008 with HTTP Streamable endpoint at /mcp. It uses detailed logging to show exactly which tools are being called and their results.

Bridge Sessions (Record & Playback)

The Bridge Sessions feature allows you to record yours or an AI's tool calls and replay them later. This is useful for macros, versioning your creations, or setting up complex scenes consistently.

Recording a Session

To record all tool calls made to the bridge while the server is running:

python -m src.main serve --record path/to/session.json --name "My Project" --description "Optional description"

Any tool calls made by n8n or other clients will be automatically saved to the JSON file.

Replaying a Session

To playback a previously recorded session:

# Default (Stateful - HTTP Streamable) - Recommended for speed
python -m src.main play path/to/session.json

# Stateless mode (Standard HTTP) - Slower due to handshake overhead
python -m src.main play path/to/session.json --transport stateless

Tip

Performance Note: Stateful mode is significantly faster for playback because it maintains a persistent connection. Stateless mode requires a full MCP handshake (Initialize/Discover) for every individual tool call in the recording, leading to noticeable overhead.

Session Format

Sessions are stored as JSON files containing metadata (name, description, timestamp) and a list of command objects (tool name, arguments, timestamp).

Session Editor (Visual Inspector)

We provide a built-in static web editor to inspect and edit your recordings:

1. Open session_editor/index.html in your web browser.
2. Click Load Session and select your session.json.
3. You can:
   • Edit metadata (Session Name, Description).
   • Filter commands by tool name.
   • Add & Edit Commands: Use the interactive modal with schema validation to discover tools, safely modify arguments, or add entirely new steps.
   • Edit tool arguments directly in the JSON editor cards.
   • Reorder or delete unnecessary commands.
   • Export JSON to save your changes to a new file.

3. Configure n8n Workflow

1. Add MCP Client Tool node
2. Configure:
   • HTTP Streamable Endpoint: http://localhost:8008/mcp
   • Authentication: None
   • Tools to Include: All
3. Connect to an AI Agent node

4. Development: Updating & Applying Changes

If you modify the addon code or the MCP server logic, follow these steps to ensure changes are applied:

1. Reload Scripts: In Blender, press F3 and type "Reload Scripts" (or use the shortcut Alt + R if configured).
2. Restart Blender Server: In the N-Panel, click Stop MCP Server and then Start MCP Server again.
3. Restart Python Server: Stop and restart the server with python -m src.main serve.

Important

All Blender operations now run on the main thread via a command queue, ensuring stability and preventing dependency graph errors.

Available Tools

The server exposes 70+ Blender tools across several categories:

Inspection

Tool	Explanation
get_scene_info	Get information about the current Blender scene (objects, collections, etc.).
get_object_info	Get detailed information about a specific object.
get_viewport_screenshot	Capture a screenshot of the 3D viewport.
get_distance	Measure the distance between two objects.
get_debug_info	Get diagnostic information about the MCP server.

Collections

Tool	Explanation
create_collection	Create a new collection in the scene.
set_active_collection	Set the active collection for new objects.
move_to_collection	Move objects to a specific collection.
get_collections	Get the hierarchy of all collections in the scene.
remove_collection	Delete a collection and optionally its contents.
duplicate_collection	Duplicate an entire collection hierarchy.
set_collection_visibility	Toggle visibility of a collection in viewport/render.

Modeling

Tool	Explanation
create_cube	Create/update a cube mesh.
create_cylinder	Create/update a cylinder mesh.
create_icosphere	Create/update an Ico sphere mesh.
create_sphere	Create/update a UV sphere mesh.
create_torus	Create/update a torus mesh.
create_plane	Create/update a plane mesh.
create_text	Create/update a 3D text object.
create_empty	Create an Empty object for reference or rigging.
apply_modifier	Add and configure a modifier (ARRAY, SOLIDIFY, BEVEL, etc.).
remove_modifier	Remove a modifier from an object.
copy_modifier	Copy a modifier from a source object to targets.
boolean_operation	Perform INTERSECT, UNION, or DIFFERENCE between objects.
duplicate_object	Duplicate an object with optional transformations.
duplicate_selection	Duplicate all currently selected objects.
transform_object	Transform an existing object (location, rotation, scale).
set_object_dimensions	Set exact dimensions for an object in meters.
batch_transform	Transform multiple existing objects at once.
select_objects	Select multiple objects by name.
select_by_pattern	Select objects matching a glob pattern (e.g., 'Facade_Fin*').
select_by_collection	Select all objects within a specific collection.
invert_mesh_selection	Invert the current mesh element selection (vertices, edges, faces).
circular_array	Create objects arranged in a radial pattern with optional collection targeting and immediate joining.
join_objects	Join multiple objects into a single mesh. TIP: Use after select_by_pattern.
create_and_array	Create a primitive and apply a linear array modifier in one step.
random_distribute	Randomly distribute copies of an object with deterministic seed support.
extrude_mesh	Extrude mesh geometry (vertices/edges/faces) with normal filtering.
inset_faces	Inset faces of a mesh (great for creating walls from floors).
shear_mesh	Shear mesh geometry along an axis (useful for sloped roofs).
delete_object	Delete object(s) by name or pattern (e.g. 'Test_*').
set_object_visibility	Quickly hide/show objects to look inside Shells or isolate items.

Architectural Modeling

Tool	Explanation
build_room_shell	PRIMARY TOOL: Create a full building shell (floor, walls, ceiling) from vertices in one call.
build_wall_segment	Create solid interior partition walls with specified thickness.
build_wall_with_door	Create interior walls with clean door apertures (no booleans).
set_view	Switch viewport (TOP, ISO, FRONT, SIDE) for precision drafting.
build_column	Create structural columns, optionally merged (union) with walls.

MEP (Systems) Engineering

Tool	Explanation
build_pipe_run	Create color-coded pipe segments (WATER, CHILLER, FIRE, etc.) with optional auto-fittings.
build_cable_tray	Create electrical containment runs (LADDER, TROUGH) with automated supports.
add_tray_support	Move existing supports or add new ones (TRAPEZE, CANTILEVER, WALL) to tray runs.
add_auto_cable_drops	Automatically generate smooth Bezier cable drops from trays to racks/equipment beneath.

Materials

Tool	Explanation
create_material	POWER TOOL: Create PBR materials and assign to pattern or collection in ONE call.
assign_material	Assign existing materials to bulk objects/collections without selection turns.
set_material_properties	Modify color, metallic, roughness, and emission of existing materials.
add_shader_node	Add procedural or image-based nodes to a material tree.
connect_shader_nodes	Link nodes to build complex custom shaders.
assign_builtin_texture	Apply noise, voronoi, or wave textures to a material.
assign_texture_map	Apply an image texture directly to a material map.
set_world_background	Set scene background (color, HDRI, sky texture).

Animation

Tool	Explanation
set_keyframe	Set a keyframe for an object property at a specific frame.
get_keyframes	Get all keyframes for an object.
set_timeline_range	Set the start, end, and current playback frames.
play_animation	Start or stop animation playback.

Rendering

Tool	Explanation
configure_render_settings	Set render engine, samples, and resolution.
render_frame	Render the current frame to a file.
render_animation	Render an animation sequence to a directory.

Camera

Tool	Explanation
create_camera	Create a new camera in the scene.
set_active_camera	Set the active camera for the viewport and rendering.
camera_look_at	Point a camera at a target location.

Lighting

Tool	Explanation
create_light	Create POINT, SUN, SPOT, or AREA lights.
configure_light	Update light properties like energy, color, and size.

History

Tool	Explanation
undo	Undo the last Blender action.
redo	Redo the last undone Blender action.

Example Usage in n8n

Example Interaction

User: "Create a red metallic sphere at position [0, 0, 2]"

Assistant: Perfect! I've successfully created a red metallic sphere at position [0, 0, 2]. Here's what was done:

• Created a sphere named "RedMetallicSphere" with a radius of 1 unit at coordinates [0, 0, 2]
• Applied a red metallic material using a polished metal preset with a red base color (#FF0000)

The sphere is now ready in your Blender scene with a shiny red metallic appearance.

User: "Duplicate the red sphere, move it to [5, 0, 2], and change its color to blue"

Assistant: Perfect! I've successfully completed all the tasks:

• Duplicated the red sphere and created a new object named "BlueMetallicSphere"
• Moved it to position [5, 0, 2]
• Changed the material to blue metallic with a polished metal finish

You now have two metallic spheres in your scene: RedMetallicSphere at [0, 0, 2] (red) and BlueMetallicSphere at [5, 0, 2] (blue).

User: "Select both the original red sphere and the duplicate, then add a Subdivision modifier to both"

Assistant: Excellent! I've successfully:

• Selected both spheres (RedMetallicSphere and BlueMetallicSphere)
• Added a Subdivision Surface modifier (SUBSURF) to both objects with 2 levels of subdivision

This modifier will smooth and refine the geometry of both spheres, giving them a more polished and rounded appearance.

User: "Add a torus with minor_radius 0.1 and major_radius 25 at [2, 0, 0]"

Assistant: Perfect! I've successfully created a torus with the specifications you requested:

• Name: Torus
• Position: [2, 0, 0]
• Major radius: 25 (distance from center to center of the tube)
• Minor radius: 0.1 (thickness of the tube)

This creates a very thin, large torus - essentially a large ring with a thin profile. It's now in your Blender scene alongside the two metallic spheres!

Community Showcase

This project is powered by its community! Explore recorded sessions and documentation created by users to see what's possible with the Blender MCP:

• Community Gallery: Browse all user-submitted projects and learn how to contribute your own recordings.
• Condominium Tower: A complete guide to creating a procedural 20-story building with glass facade and balconies.
• Boolean Pavilion: Demonstrates boolean operations, unified structures, and advanced lighting/camera setup.

Tip

Share Your Work: Have you built something cool? Check out our Contribution Guide to learn how to record, clean, and share your session with the community!

⚡ POWER TIPS: Avoiding Rate Limits

To prevent n8n or LLM "Too many requests" errors, follow these Stateless Power Working rules:

1. Avoid Selection-Based Workflows

❌ Slow (4+ turns): select_by_pattern('Wall_*') → create_material('M_Gray') → assign_material() ✅ Fast (1 turn): create_material(name='M_Gray', pattern='Wall_*')

2. Group by Collections

❌ Unreliable: Selecting individual objects. ✅ Reliable: create_material(name='M_Glass', collection='Cutters')

3. Bulk creation

If you need 10 objects, don't create them one-by-one. Use create_and_array or duplicate_object with count.

Configuration

Set environment variables in .env:

BLENDER_MCP_HOST=127.0.0.1
BLENDER_MCP_PORT=8888
BLENDER_ASSETS_DIR=C:/path/to/your/assets

Architecture & Technical Design

This project uses a modular src/ structure to ensure maintainability:

graph TD
    A[main.py] --> B[server.py]
    B --> C[tools/ package]
    C --> D[modeling.py]
    C --> E[scene.py]
    C --> F[materials.py]
    B --> G[connection.py]
    B --> I[sessions.py]
    G --> H[Blender]

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Transport Model

Although the MCP specification supports persistent HTTP Streamable sessions, many clients (including n8n) currently operate in a stateless execution model, performing:

Initialize → Discover Tools → Call Tool → Close

for each interaction.

The server uses the official HTTP Streamable transport introduced in MCP SDK 1.8.0+, which supports both stateful sessions and stateless requests.

The Stateless Fallback Mechanism

To ensure reliability across clients, the server implements a robust fallback strategy:

1. Protocol Resilience: If no active HTTP Streamable session exists, the server transparently handles standard JSON-RPC requests over HTTP.
2. Execution Isolation: Each tool call is processed independently, preventing session corruption or deadlocks.
3. Visual Success Indicators: Tool responses are prefixed with ✓ when successful. This helps the AI Agent’s conversational memory confirm task completion and avoid unintended re-execution loops.
4. Clear State Boundaries: Persistent state is intentionally separated:
   • 🧠 Conversation memory → AI Agent (n8n Simple Memory)
   • 🧩 Scene state → Blender runtime
   • 🚀 MCP server → Stateless execution bridge

Architecture Diagram

n8n AI Agent 
      ↓
MCP Client (HTTP Streamable / JSON-RPC)
      ↓
MCP Server (ASGI)
      ↓
TCP Socket Bridge
      ↓
Blender Addon (Main Thread Queue)
      ↓
Blender Scene (Persistent State)

Testing

We use an integrated test suite to verify Blender tools and layout scenarios.

# Run the Arch layout test
python tests/run_integration.py run --scenario arch

# Run the standard functional grid test
python tests/run_integration.py run --scenario grid

See the Integration Testing Guide for full details on verification and benchmarking.

Troubleshooting

Server won't start: Install dependencies with pip install -r requirements.txt

Connection failed: Ensure Blender MCP addon is running on port 8888.

Dependency Graph Error: If you see this, ensure you have the latest blender_mcp_addon package which implements the main-thread command queue.

Tools not appearing in n8n: Check the HTTP Streamable endpoint URL is correct (http://localhost:8008/mcp)

Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by blender-mcp by [ahujasid], which demonstrated the potential of MCP servers for Blender automation.

License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details