[Fixed] Blender 4.2 Applink not working

[daglask]

Hi all newbie here to 3dcoat

I have blender 4.3 portable . So the  python popo-up menu warning about  data.json not found was logical. All my config and extensions are in portable folder.

What i did is this workaround . I created a symbolic link to where the program wanted the data.json file to be. ie C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.3\extensions\blender_org\coat_applink\data.json. Of course i didn't make the symbolic link only for the data.json file but the whole folder

coat_applink .  I tested a couple of times and is working .  

On the other hand i may test only silly things ..

Please let me know 

 

[Britain]

23 hours ago, Carlosan said:

performig any operation ?

I tested v.30 and Blender 4.3.0 and found it working as expected

My version (attached) is located into

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.3\extensions\user_default\io_coat3D

any reference on scripts/addons folder was deleted

io_coat3D.rar 92.39 kB · 1 download

Ok . Dont let Blender copy Config files from previous Blender. It appears to corrupts the 3dcoat app at least for me. Fresh install and everything works.

[tincancrab]

I'm pretty sure applink has a recent bug in the code. It's doubling some of the \'s. I'm getting errors like this when I try to export:
 

RuntimeError: Error: Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D\__init__.py", line 567, in execute
    foundExchangeFolder, global_exchange_folder = folders.InitFolders()
                                                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D\folders.py", line 23, in InitFolders
    os.mkdir(DC2Folder)
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'C:\\Users\\Liz\\Documents\\3DC2Blender'
Location: C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\modules\bpy\ops.py:109

I do have a 3DC2Blender file in my Documents folder. The only thing I can see it not being able to find it is because of the \\'s

[Britain]

1 hour ago, tincancrab said:

I'm pretty sure applink has a recent bug in the code. It's doubling some of the \'s. I'm getting errors like this when I try to export:
 

RuntimeError: Error: Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D\__init__.py", line 567, in execute
    foundExchangeFolder, global_exchange_folder = folders.InitFolders()
                                                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D\folders.py", line 23, in InitFolders
    os.mkdir(DC2Folder)
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'C:\\Users\\Liz\\Documents\\3DC2Blender'
Location: C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\modules\bpy\ops.py:109

I do have a 3DC2Blender file in my Documents folder. The only thing I can see it not being able to find it is because of the \\'s

Im Using Blender 4.3, 3dcoat 2024 30 and the 3dcoat app supplied by Carlos and the export works as expected. Do a fresh Blender install and dont allow Blender to copy Configuration from a previous Blender. For me this works.

 

io_coat3D.rar

[tincancrab]

Quote

Im Using Blender 4.3, 3dcoat 2024 30 and the 3dcoat app supplied by Carlos and the export works as expected. Do a fresh Blender install and dont allow Blender to copy Configuration from a previous Blender. For me this works.

When I made sure to download 4.3, I also noted not to copy configuration. So I set up all my configuration again. But to problem solve this, I went to Windows, Uninstalled 4.3, went to appdata\roaming, deleted 4.3 folder, and went to program files and deleted 4.3 folder from there too. I then reinstalled 4.3 from a hopefully clean start.

 

Still getting errors.

 

Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\Liz\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.3\extensions\user_default\io_coat3D\__init__.py", line 544, in invoke
    bpy.ops.export_applink.pilgway_3d_coat()
  File "C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\modules\bpy\ops.py", line 109, in __call__
    ret = _op_call(self.idname_py(), kw)
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
RuntimeError: Error: Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\Liz\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.3\extensions\user_default\io_coat3D\__init__.py", line 555, in execute
    foundExchangeFolder, global_exchange_folder = folders.InitFolders()
                                                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "C:\Users\Liz\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.3\extensions\user_default\io_coat3D\folders.py", line 23, in InitFolders
    os.mkdir(DC2Folder)
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 3] The system cannot find the path specified: 'C:\\Users\\Liz\\Documents\\3DC2Blender'
Location: C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\modules\bpy\ops.py:109

 

[Carlosan]

I guess that you need to setup the exchange folder

 

[tincancrab]

Quote

I guess that you need to setup the exchange folder

Unfortunately, that's set up too.

 

The only other issue I see is that I upgraded from Textura to 3DCoat. I uninstalled Textura, but maybe it's just stuck on that and I need to use a special uninstaller to remove everything from the registry and do re installation of Blender and 3DCoat? Would that make a difference?

[Carlosan]

applink only works on full version of 3DC, not for Textura

[Britain]

On 12/12/2024 at 2:44 PM, Carlosan said:

I guess that you need to setup the exchange folder

 

I took a fresh install of Blender 4.3, added the 3dcoat app and everything was automatically set up. FYI 

[NLPLP]

Is there a step by step guide to load this app link on the Mac? I have the latest versions of both Blender and 3D COAT

 

[tincancrab]

On 12/14/2024 at 7:58 PM, Britain said:

I took a fresh install of Blender 4.3, added the 3dcoat app and everything was automatically set up. FYI 

Ok, so I figured part of the problem. Since my Documents are stored on a separate HDD, I had to create Applink files on the "other" Documents folder, that I do not have my PC default to. I am no longer getting errors, but I am not getting any option to place an object in my 3DCoat 2024 modeling mode, so I'm a bit stumped. (I am using 3DCoat. i UPGRADED from Textura) I've done all of the bottom after uninstalling Blender 4.3 again, and using an Uninstallr to clean up 3DCoat and reinstall it from scratch. I did NOT import any settings from older versions of Blender, and I deleted old 4.3 folders from appdata and Program Files to make sure no old residual settings remained.

What I've done (maybe I'm getting lost somewhere, there's things that have changed based on the guide):

1. Copied what is in \Program Files\3DCoat-2024\data\ToolsPresets\InstallAppLinks\Blender4x\files to \Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D
2. Created User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\, an import.txt, and a Blender folder in the folder
3. Created a User\3DC2Blender and an exchange_folder.txt that points to User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange.
4. Enabled 3D Coat in Blender, set exchange folder under Scene settings to User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\ and saved new exchange folder.

 

Not sure what I'm missing here?

[Carlosan]

Please follow this guide, Hope it help

https://3dcoat.com/forum/index.php?/topic/30602-fixed-blender-42-applink-not-working/&do=findComment&comment=195950

[Britain]

22 hours ago, tincancrab said:

Ok, so I figured part of the problem. Since my Documents are stored on a separate HDD, I had to create Applink files on the "other" Documents folder, that I do not have my PC default to. I am no longer getting errors, but I am not getting any option to place an object in my 3DCoat 2024 modeling mode, so I'm a bit stumped. (I am using 3DCoat. i UPGRADED from Textura) I've done all of the bottom after uninstalling Blender 4.3 again, and using an Uninstallr to clean up 3DCoat and reinstall it from scratch. I did NOT import any settings from older versions of Blender, and I deleted old 4.3 folders from appdata and Program Files to make sure no old residual settings remained.

What I've done (maybe I'm getting lost somewhere, there's things that have changed based on the guide):

1. Copied what is in \Program Files\3DCoat-2024\data\ToolsPresets\InstallAppLinks\Blender4x\files to \Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 4.3\4.3\scripts\addons_core\io_coat3D
2. Created User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\, an import.txt, and a Blender folder in the folder
3. Created a User\3DC2Blender and an exchange_folder.txt that points to User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange.
4. Enabled 3D Coat in Blender, set exchange folder under Scene settings to User\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\ and saved new exchange folder.

 

Not sure what I'm missing here?

Sorry cant help you there. All of my programs are on the main drive, I only use the secondary for file storage.

[Galnart]

On 7/27/2024 at 7:03 PM, Britain said:

 

 

Edited December 29, 2024 by Galnart

[UnCommonGrafx]

Ah ha, so a customized, moved off of c:\, folder WILL not work?

 

[Bonecleaver]

Hello, I just downloaded the demo and I'm trying to set up export from blender to 3dcoat on my mac. Currently running blender 4.5 and the latest version of OSX, and I'm getting Permission Error: [errno 13] permission denied. I tried to troubleshoot it myself including running chmod +x to give the necessary permissions, but that didn't work at all, and I'm fairly lost at this point.

 

 

[Britain]

I did a fresh install Blender 4.5.3. The app is broken. I'm using 3dcoat 25.09.  Using the cube as a simple import it appears in 3dcoat (Per-Pixel Painting) it appears as if base color or normals are missing.

Import by Microvertex Painting it appears as a sphere (no sub added). Smart Material is broken using imported object. Everything works in Blender 4.4. 

Attached screen shots from 3dcoat.

First picture 3dcoat image Blender 4.5.3

Second picture 3dcoat image Blender 4.4

Third picture 3dcoat image Blender 4.5.3

Edited September 26 by Britain

[Britain]

On another note with Blender 4.5.3 you can still use exported objects as .obj and 3dcoat can still use them.

[Britain]

Fixed. Newer version Blender 4.5. Object needs Shade Auto Smooth, Click ignore sharpness and apply the modifier. Now can be used in 3dcoat (using 3dcoat applink). There maybe other ways (hardops)  but this works for me. 

Edited September 29 by Britain
Pointer to 3dcoat applink

[epx]

Where can i find this fixed version ? Dont find it in extensions.blender.org anymore. The "Pointer  to 3dcoat Applink" in link above is also not working here. Sorry, maybe im just too blind to find it. And would it also work with 2024.31 or do i have to be on 3DC 2025 ?

 

[Britain]

5 hours ago, epx said:

Where can i find this fixed version ? Dont find it in extensions.blender.org anymore. The "Pointer  to 3dcoat Applink" in link above is also not working here. Sorry, maybe im just too blind to find it. And would it also work with 2024.31 or do i have to be on 3DC 2025 ?

 

I've been use this link. It works up to Blender 4.5.3. (Fails in 5.0 alpha. Sends ok but get back fails.) Could be the alpha version.

https://github.com/AndrewShpagin/io-coat3d

Edited October 5 by Britain

[Britain]

On 9/29/2025 at 11:04 AM, Britain said:

Fixed. Newer version Blender 4.5. Object needs Shade Auto Smooth, Click ignore sharpness and apply the modifier. Now can be used in 3dcoat (using 3dcoat applink). There maybe other ways (hardops)  but this works for me. 

I might have had an issue with the Blender version 4.5.3. I downloaded again and it works correctly with the 3dcoat applink.

[Simon-telezhkin]

Took me days, I give up, nothing works for blender 4.5.3 lts and 2025.11. Tried installing from git, change the locations between in program-files and roaming. Got to the point where blender exports fbxs to \Documents\3DC2Blender\ApplinkObjects, but nothing happens after it

[Carlosan]

yes, sadly it only works with stable versions, not with any beta

[Simon-telezhkin]

7 minutes ago, Carlosan said:

yes, sadly it only works with stable versions, not with any beta

What versions combination works currently? Blender 4.5.3 is LTS, not beta. Is 3DCoat-2025-11  considered beta? What version works then?

[Carlosan]

 my bad sorry ! Reading it I confused it with version 5 

--------------------------------
Are you following this steps ?

 

[Simon-telezhkin]

21 minutes ago, Carlosan said:

 my bad sorry ! Reading it I confused it with version 5 

--------------------------------
Are you following this steps ?

 

Yes. Went through those steps again, used the git version of the addon before, but nothing changed. I didn't get the 3DCoat directory with export.txt in documents, but creating them didn't work. Is it my issue? Do anybody else use the combination of 4.5.3 and 2025.11 successfully?

[Carlosan]

<- 4.5.2 here & 2025.11

io_coat3D = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.5\extensions\user_default
(file attached)

Exchange folder = C:\Users\<username>\Documents\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\

Exchange_folder.txt = C:\Users\<username>\Documents\3DC2Blender

 

note: Before had send the mesh from Blender to 3DCoat, to get Getback applink working, you need to use this command first: File > Open in external app.
Do not use Export to Belnder and then GetBack.

 

 

io_coat3D.rar

[Britain]

1 hour ago, Carlosan said:

<- 4.5.2 here & 2025.11

io_coat3D = C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.5\extensions\user_default
(file attached)

Exchange folder = C:\Users\<username>\Documents\AppLinks\3D-Coat\Exchange\

Exchange_folder.txt = C:\Users\<username>\Documents\3DC2Blender

 

note: Before had send the mesh from Blender to 3DCoat, to get Getback applink working, you need to use this command first: File > Open in external app.
Do not use Export to Belnder and then GetBack.

 

 

io_coat3D.rar 94.32 kB · 0 downloads

Something else is wrong. If I send as Per-Pixel painting, And get back all is well.  But is I use Ptex Paint and use get back I have nothing. The .fbx file is in the exchange folder. I can export manually into Blender and I get the model but without the textures. When I import the .fbx file for the Per-Pixel painting I get the model along with the textures. I havent tested in modeling.

[Carlosan]

As I know... Blender does not have built-in support for Ptex.