3D Data Comparison Video Generator Addon 🚀

✨You need to just Install the Addon and Export Video... Everything Done by the Addon Automatically ✨

Create stunning 3D bar chart comparison videos right inside Blender! This addon automates the entire process, from reading your data in a CSV file to setting up a beautiful, animated scene ready for rendering.

Perfect for YouTube channels, presentations, or anyone who wants to visualize data in a dynamic and engaging way.

✨ Key Features

• CSV Driven: Automatically generates bars, text, and pictures based on a simple CSV file.
• Fully Customizable: Easily change bar textures, floor textures, fonts, and HDRI lighting.
• Animated Camera: The camera smoothly animates from one data point to the next.
• Easy Controls: Tweak settings like camera zoom and text size after generating the scene.
• Built-in Protection: A smart protection system prevents you from accidentally deleting the watermark or essential camera objects, which would break the scene.
• Multiple Export Options: Render your video in different resolutions, quality presets, and formats (MP4 or JPEG sequence).

💾 Installation

1. Download the latest version of the addon as a .zip file. Do not unzip it!
2. Open Blender and go to Edit > Preferences.

   

3. Navigate to the Add-ons section.

   

4. Click the Install... button at the top-right.

   

5. Find and select the .zip file you downloaded.
6. Enable the addon by ticking the checkbox next to its name ("3D Comparison Video Generator").

   

You will now find the tool in the 3D Viewport. Press the 'N' key to open the sidebar, and you'll see a new tab called Comparison Tool.

🚀 How to Use

Follow these steps to create your first comparison video!

Step 1: Prepare Your Data (CSV File)

The addon reads data from a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. You can create this file using any spreadsheet software like Excel, Google Sheets, or a simple text editor.

Your CSV file must have a header row (the first row with column titles). The addon will then read the data from the rows below it.

You can edit or prepare your csv file using this website--

Make CSV file

If you have excel file you can also convert it to CSV file--

XLS TO CSV

Or if you have EXCEL Software you can ready your file and Save as CSV--

• Name Column: The name of the entity (e.g., "GT"). This text appears on the bar.
• Data Column: The numerical value that determines the bar's height (e.g., 100). This must be a number!
• Display Data Column: The text you want to display for the value (e.g., "WON"). This gives you formatting freedom.
• Picture Column: The full path to the image you want to display on the bar.
  • 🚨 IMPORTANT: Use the full absolute path to your image files to avoid issues.
  • Windows Example: C:\Users\YourName\Documents\project\images\pic1.png
  • Mac/Linux Example: /Users/YourName/Documents/project/images/pic1.png

You can tell the addon which column is which in the "More Settings" section. By default, it uses columns 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Step 2: Configure the Scene in Blender

Once your CSV is ready, head to the Comparison Tool panel in Blender's sidebar.

1. Main Settings

• CSV File: Click the folder icon and select the .csv file you created.
• Video Speed: Adjust how fast the camera moves between bars (1 = Slow, 10 = Fast).
• Picture Shading: "Bright" makes your pictures glow (good for logos), while "Natural" makes them look like part of the scene.
• Text Shading: Choose if your text should be bright and glowing or look like a natural 3D object.

2. More Settings (Optional)

• Font File: Use your own .ttf or .otf font file.
• HDRI World: Load a custom HDRI image for realistic lighting and reflections.
• CSV Column Numbers: If your CSV is structured differently, tell the addon which column number to use for Name, Data, etc.
• Distance, Norm, Min Height: These settings control the spacing and scaling of the bars.

Step 3: Generate the Scene

• Click the big Generate Scene button.
• The addon will read your CSV and build the entire 3D scene, including objects, materials, and camera animation. The view will automatically switch to the camera's perspective.

Step 4: Fine-Tune After Generation

After generating, you can adjust the look of the scene without having to regenerate everything.

• Bar/Floor Texture: Instantly swap the textures on the bars and the floor.
• Zoom Camera: Change the Camera Distance slider to zoom in or out.
• Scale Data Text: Make the "Display Data" text bigger or smaller using the Scale slider.

Step 5: Export Your Video

• Output Path: Choose where you want to save your final video.
• Resolution & Quality: Select your desired video size and render quality. Higher quality will take longer to render.
• Export Format: Choose MP4 for a video file or JPEG for a sequence of images.
• Click Export Video. A render window will pop up and show the progress. Be patient, as this can take some time!

🚨 The Protection System

To prevent you from accidentally breaking the scene, the addon protects a few key objects:

• Camera_Watermark
• Camera
• Control_Camera
• anim_empty_tracker

If you delete, hide, or select any of these objects, the addon will automatically run the "Clear Scene" process. This is designed to protect the integrity of the animation and the final video output. If this happens, simply click Generate Scene again.

🤔 Troubleshooting

• "Watermark file is missing" error on installation: The assets folder (containing watermark.png and other textures) must be in the same location as the __init__.py script inside the addon's .zip file. Please re-download the addon and reinstall.
• Pictures don't appear on bars: The most common reason is an incorrect file path in your CSV. Double-check that you are using the full absolute path to your images.
• "No valid data read from CSV" error: Ensure your "Data" column contains only numbers. Also, check that your CSV is saved with UTF-8 encoding, which is standard.

💬 About & Community

• Author: 3dcomparison.com
• Version: 1.0
• Join the Community: Have questions or want to share your creations? Join us on Telegram!
• Support & Updates: Check for the latest updates on our website.

UPDATES OF 3D Data Comparison Addon--

V1.0

V1.1 (UPCOMING)