creative-pipeline

Creative Pipeline Skill

At a Glance

Generate Blender Python (bpy) scripts for 3D infrastructure visualization and ffmpeg command sequences for video production and social media export — turning technical engineering designs into communication-ready visual deliverables.

Activation: After engineering design is verified and documented. InfrastructureRequest with outputFormat including 'render'. Stakeholder presentations, client deliverables, social media content creation.

Output types:

1. Blender bpy scripts: Python scripts that run in Blender's Scripting workspace to create pipe geometry, equipment meshes, materials, lighting, camera paths, and animations.
2. ffmpeg commands: Shell commands that assemble rendered frames into video and export to social media formats (YouTube, Instagram Reel, Twitter/X, thumbnail).

Prerequisites:

• Blender 3.6+ installed (free from blender.org)
• ffmpeg installed and in PATH (free from ffmpeg.org)
• Completed engineering design with dimensions and layout from blueprint engine

Quick-start — Blender script generation:

import bpy
# Clear scene, set units to metric, configure Cycles renderer
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='SELECT')
bpy.ops.object.delete()
bpy.context.scene.unit_settings.system = 'METRIC'
bpy.context.scene.render.engine = 'CYCLES'

Quick-start — ffmpeg social media export:

# Assemble rendered frames into video
ffmpeg -framerate 30 -i render_%04d.png -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p walkthrough.mp4
# Export for YouTube (1920x1080, 8 Mbps)
ffmpeg -i walkthrough.mp4 -vf "scale=1920:1080" -b:v 8M youtube.mp4

Quick routing:

• Creating pipe geometry? See [Pipe Routing as Bezier Curves](#pipe-routing-as-bezier-curves-creat-02)
• Modeling equipment? See [Equipment as Parametric Meshes](#equipment-as-parametric-meshes-creat-02)
• Setting up materials? See [Infrastructure Materials](#infrastructure-materials-creat-02)
• Camera animation? See [Camera Paths](#camera-paths-creat-03)
• Flow/thermal animation? See [Infrastructure Animations](#infrastructure-animations-creat-01-creat-03)
• Video production? See [ffmpeg Assembly Pipeline](#ffmpeg-assembly-pipeline-creat-04-creat-05)

Blender Scene Generation (CREAT-01)

Scene Setup and Initialization

Every infrastructure visualization script begins with scene initialization:

import bpy
import math

# ── Clear default scene ──────────────────────────────────────
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='SELECT')
bpy.ops.object.delete()

# ── Set units to metric (millimeters for infrastructure) ─────
bpy.context.scene.unit_settings.system = 'METRIC'
bpy.context.scene.unit_settings.length_unit = 'MILLIMETERS'

# ── Set render engine ────────────────────────────────────────
# EEVEE for fast preview, Cycles for photorealistic final render
bpy.context.scene.render.engine = 'CYCLES'
bpy.context.scene.cycles.samples = 128  # Preview: 128, Final: 256-512

# ── Set render resolution ────────────────────────────────────
bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_x = 1920
bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_y = 1080
bpy.context.scene.render.resolution_percentage = 100

# ── Set output format ────────────────────────────────────────
bpy.context.scene.render.image_settings.file_format = 'PNG'
bpy.context.scene.render.filepath = '//renders/'  # Relative to .blend file

Lighting Setup

Three standard lighting configurations for infrastructure visualization:

Studio lighting (3-point):

# Key light — main illumination at 45 degrees
bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(5, -5, 8))
key_light = bpy.context.active_object
key_light.name = "Key_Light"
key_light.data.energy = 1000  # Watts
key_light.data.size = 3.0  # Soft shadow (larger = softer)

# Fill light — reduce shadow harshness, opposite side at lower intensity
bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(-4, -3, 5))
fill_light = bpy.context.active_object
fill_light.name = "Fill_Light"
fill_light.data.energy = 400  # 40% of key light

# Rim light — edge definition from behind
bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(0, 6, 6))
rim_light = bpy.context.active_object
rim_light.name = "Rim_Light"
rim_light.data.energy = 600

HDRI environment (realistic ambient):

# Load HDRI for realistic outdoor/sky lighting
world = bpy.context.scene.world
world.use_nodes = True
nodes = world.node_tree.nodes
links = world.node_tree.links
nodes.clear()

bg_node = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeBackground')
env_node = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeTexEnvironment')
output_node = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeOutputWorld')

# Load HDRI file (download from polyhaven.com — free CC0)
env_node.image = bpy.data.images.load('//hdri/industrial_hall.hdr')
bg_node.inputs['Strength'].default_value = 1.0

links.new(env_node.outputs['Color'], bg_node.inputs['Color'])
links.new(bg_node.outputs['Background'], output_node.inputs['Surface'])

Volumetric (for coolant flow visualization with god rays):

# Add volumetric scatter to world for atmospheric depth
vol_node = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeVolumePrincipled')
vol_node.inputs['Density'].default_value = 0.01  # Subtle atmosphere
vol_node.inputs['Anisotropy'].default_value = 0.3  # Forward scattering
links.new(vol_node.outputs['Volume'], output_node.inputs['Volume'])

Pipe Routing as Bezier Curves (CREAT-02)

Creating Pipe Geometry

Pipes are modeled as Bezier curves with a circular bevel profile. The bevel_depth sets the pipe outer radius.

# Create pipe as Bezier curve with circular cross-section
bpy.ops.curve.primitive_bezier_curve_add()
curve = bpy.context.active_object
curve.name = "CoolingPipe_Supply"

# Configure curve as 3D pipe
curve_data = curve.data
curve_data.dimensions = '3D'
curve_data.bevel_depth = 0.0445  # Outer radius in meters (3" NPS = 88.9mm OD)
curve_data.bevel_resolution = 8  # Smoothness of circular cross-section
curve_data.fill_mode = 'FULL'

# Set pipe route using spline control points
spline = curve_data.splines[0]
spline.bezier_points[0].co = (0, 0, 3.0)       # Start point (meters)
spline.bezier_points[1].co = (5.0, 0, 3.0)     # End point (meters)

# Handle positions control curve direction (tangent at each point)
spline.bezier_points[0].handle_left = (-0.5, 0, 3.0)
spline.bezier_points[0].handle_right = (1.0, 0, 3.0)
spline.bezier_points[1].handle_left = (4.0, 0, 3.0)
spline.bezier_points[1].handle_right = (5.5, 0, 3.0)

Adding Direction Changes (Elbows)

For pipe direction changes, add intermediate Bezier points with handle angles:

# Add a point for a 90-degree direction change (elbow)
spline.bezier_points.add(1)  # Now 3 points total

# Route: horizontal run -> 90-deg down -> vertical drop
spline.bezier_points[0].co = (0, 0, 3.0)        # Horizontal start
spline.bezier_points[1].co = (4.0, 0, 3.0)      # Corner (elbow location)
spline.bezier_points[2].co = (4.0, 0, 0.5)      # Vertical end (drops to 0.5m)

# Set handles at corner for sharp 90-degree turn
spline.bezier_points[1].handle_left = (3.5, 0, 3.0)   # Approach from left
spline.bezier_points[1].handle_right = (4.0, 0, 2.5)  # Exit downward

# Handle type: AUTO for smooth curves, FREE for precise control
for point in spline.bezier_points:
    point.handle_left_type = 'FREE'
    point.handle_right_type = 'FREE'

NPS to Blender bevel_depth Conversion Table

The bevel_depth parameter is the pipe outer radius in meters (OD / 2):

| NPS (inch) | OD (mm) | OD (m) | bevel_depth (m) | Common Use | |------------|---------|--------|-----------------|------------| | 1/2" | 21.3 | 0.0213 | 0.0107 | Small branch lines | | 3/4" | 26.7 | 0.0267 | 0.0134 | Residential supply | | 1" | 33.4 | 0.0334 | 0.0167 | Branch distribution | | 1-1/2" | 48.3 | 0.0483 | 0.0242 | Medium branch lines | | 2" | 60.3 | 0.0603 | 0.0302 | CDU branch connections | | 3" | 88.9 | 0.0889 | 0.0445 | Supply/return headers | | 4" | 114.3 | 0.1143 | 0.0572 | Main distribution | | 6" | 168.3 | 0.