Quick Access Panel

The Quick Access Panel provides convenient access to common tasks and operations in Cats Blender Plugin.

Version Compatibility Notifications

The panel displays important warnings about Blender version compatibility:

• Notifications for incompatible Blender versions
• Alpha version notifications
• Version mismatch warnings

📝 Note: Under normal circumstances with Blender 5.0+, you should not see compatibility warnings.

Import Model

Import models with optimal settings for VRChat preparation.

Supported Import Formats

• MMD: .pmx, .pmd (MikuMikuDance models)
• XNALara: .xps, .mesh, .ascii
• Source Engine: .smd, .qc, .vta, .dmx
• VRM: .vrm (VRoid and other VRM models)
• FBX: .fbx (Autodesk FBX)
• DAE: .dae (Collada)
• ZIP: .zip (Compressed model packages)

Other model types might be compatible, but we only fully support the ones listed above.

How to Import

1. Click the Import Model button
2. Navigate to your model file
3. Select the file and click Import

Cats will automatically apply optimal import settings for VRChat workflow.

Export Model

Export your models with VRChat-optimized settings.

Export Options

FBX for Unity

Exports your model in FBX format with settings optimized for Unity and VRChat:

• Proper scale and rotation
• Armature optimization
• Material preservation

Resonite (GLTF)

Exports your model in GLTF format for Resonite:

• GLTF 2.0 format
• Optimized for Resonite platform
• Material and texture preservation

How to Export

1. Click the appropriate Export button (FBX or Resonite)
2. Choose your export location
3. Name your file and click Export

Quick Mesh Operations

Join All Meshes

Combines all meshes in your scene into a single mesh object:

• Maintains material assignments
• Preserves vertex groups and weights
• Useful for final optimization before export

⚠️ Warning: This operation is permanent. Save your work before using this feature.

Combine Materials

Merges multiple materials into fewer materials:

• Reduces draw calls
• Improves performance
• Maintains texture assignments

Pose Mode Controls

Start Pose Mode

Enter pose mode to manipulate your armature:

Options:

• Start Pose Mode: Enters pose mode without resetting the current pose
• Start Pose Mode (Reset): Enters pose mode and resets to rest pose

While in Pose Mode

When you're in pose mode, additional options become available:

Stop Pose Mode

Exit pose mode with options:

• Stop Pose Mode: Exits while keeping the current pose
• Stop Pose Mode (Reset): Exits and resets to rest pose

Pose to Shape Key

Converts the current pose into a shape key:

1. Pose your model as desired
2. Click Pose to Shape Key
3. The pose is saved as a new shape key on your mesh

This is useful for:

• Creating custom expressions
• Saving reference poses
• Creating blend shapes for animations

Apply as Rest Pose

Sets the current pose as the default (rest) pose:

1. Pose your model as desired
2. Click Apply as Rest Pose
3. The armature's rest position is updated

⚠️ Warning: This permanently changes the rest pose of your armature. Use carefully.

Workflow Tips

Typical Import Workflow

1. Import Model using Cats importer
2. Review the model in the viewport
3. Use Optimization tools to reduce complexity
4. Set up Eye Tracking and Visemes
5. Export Model for your target platform

Pose Mode Best Practices

• Always save before applying as rest pose
• Use shape keys for expressions you want to reuse
• Keep a backup before making permanent changes

Material Combining Tips

• Combine materials after setting up your model
• Do this before creating atlases
• Check material slots after combining to ensure everything merged correctly

Common Use Cases

Preparing a Model for VRChat

1. Import using Cats importer
2. Use MMD Options if it's an MMD model (only for fresh MMD models)
3. Run optimization tools
4. Set up eye tracking and visemes
5. Export FBX for Unity

Creating Custom Expressions

1. Start Pose Mode
2. Adjust bones for expression
3. Pose to Shape Key
4. Name the shape key appropriately
5. Stop Pose Mode

Quick Model Optimization

1. Join All Meshes
2. Combine Materials
3. Use Optimization Panel for further reduction

Next Steps

• Learn about Optimization tools for reducing polygon count and materials
• Set up Eye Tracking for your avatar
• Configure Visemes for lip sync
• Explore Custom Model Creation for merging models

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Related Pages:

• Optimization - Detailed optimization tools
• MMD Options - MMD-specific tools
• Settings - Configure export behavior