Settings

The Settings and Updates panel provides configuration options and update management for Cats Blender Plugin.

General Settings

Export Options

Embed Textures

• Includes textures directly in exported files
• Increases file size
• Self-contained exports
• Useful for sharing models

When to enable:

• Sharing FBX files with textures
• One-file distribution
• No separate texture management needed

DO NOT EMBED TEXTURES IF YOU ARE CREATING SOMETHING FOR UNITY/ VRCHAT MATERAILS SHOULD BE SETUP IN UNITY

When to disable:

• Keeping file size small
• Managing textures separately in Unity
• Better organization of assets

Remove Rigidbodies/Joints

• Cleans physics during export
• Removes MMD physics data
• Reduces file complexity
• Recommended for VRChat exports

When to enable:

• Exporting MMD models
• Don't need physics data
• Cleaner exports

When to disable:

• Need to preserve physics
• Using physics in target application

Export Translation CSV

• Generates translation files during export
• Creates CSV with name mappings
• Useful for documentation
• Reference for translations

When to enable:

• Need translation documentation
• Want to review translations
• Creating model documentation

When to disable:

• Don't need translation records
• Reducing export time

Custom Export Directory

• Set preferred save location for exports
• Remembers your choice
• Faster workflow
• Organized file management

How to set:

1. Click folder icon
2. Navigate to desired location
3. Select folder
4. Future exports default here

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Language Settings

Interface Language

Cats supports multiple languages for the user interface.

Available Languages

• English (en_US) - Default
• Japanese (ja_JP)
• Korean (ko_KR)
• Additional languages as community provides translations

Changing Language

1. Select language from dropdown
2. Restart Blender for full effect
3. UI elements update to selected language

Custom Language Files

Cats supports custom translation files:

• Located in resources/translations/
• JSON format
• Community can contribute translations
• Add new languages easily

Translation Management

Translation File Structure:

• Each language has a JSON file
• Contains UI string mappings
• Easy to edit and extend
• Template available for new languages

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Debug Options

Maintenance Tools

Reset Google Dictionary

• Clears cached Google Translate data
• Useful if translations are incorrect
• Forces fresh translations
• Safe to use

When to use:

• Translations seem wrong
• Want fresh translation data
• After major updates
• Troubleshooting translation issues

How to use:

1. Click Reset Google Dictionary
2. Confirm action
3. Dictionary cache cleared

Translation Debugging (Dev Branch)

• Available in development branch
• Shows translation process details
• Helps identify translation issues
• For advanced users/developers

System Cache Cleanup

• Clears various cached data
• Resets temporary files
• Can help with strange issues
• Safe to use periodically

When to use:

• Plugin behaving strangely
• After updates
• Troubleshooting unexplained issues

Configuration Reset Options

• Restore default settings
• Clear custom configurations
• Return to fresh install state
• Use if settings are corrupted

⚠️ Warning: Configuration reset cannot be undone. Your custom settings will be lost.

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Update Management

Version Control

Update Notifications

• Automatic check for new versions
• Shows when updates are available
• Displays in plugin interface
• Non-intrusive notifications

Configuration:

• Enable/disable update checks
• Set check frequency
• Choose notification style

Automatic Update Checks

• Runs periodically
• Checks GitHub releases
• Compares with installed version
• Shows update button when available

How it works:

1. Cats checks GitHub API
2. Compares version numbers
3. Notifies if newer version exists
4. Provides download link

Version Compatibility Info

• Shows if Blender version is supported
• Warns about incompatible versions
• Recommends correct versions
• Prevents installation issues

Release Notes Access

• View changelog for updates
• See what's new
• Understand bug fixes
• Access from update notification

Managing Updates

Checking for Updates Manually

1. Open Settings panel
2. Click Check for Updates
3. Wait for check to complete
4. Follow prompts if update available

Installing Updates

1. Download new version from link provided
2. Close Blender
3. Remove old version:
   • Go to Edit > Preferences > Extensions
   • Find Cats
   • Remove extension
4. Restart Blender
5. Install new version
6. Enable extension

📝 Note: Always restart Blender between removing old and installing new versions for cleanest installation.

Understanding Version Numbers

Cats uses semantic versioning:

• Major.Minor.Patch.Build (e.g., 5.0.1.2)
• Major: Blender version (5 = Blender 5.x)
• Minor: Blender minor version (0 = 5.0)
• Patch: Feature updates
• Build: Bug fixes

Examples:

• 5.0.1.0 - Blender 5.0, first feature update
• 5.0.1.2 - Blender 5.0, first feature update, second bug fix

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Settings Best Practices

Export Settings

Recommended for VRChat:

• ❌ Embed Textures: Off (handle in Unity)
• ✅ Remove Rigidbodies/Joints: On
• ❌ Export Translation CSV: Off (unless needed)
• ✅ Custom Export Directory: Set to your project folder

Recommended for Sharing Models:

• ✅ Embed Textures: On (easier for recipients)
• ✅ Remove Rigidbodies/Joints: On
• ✅ Export Translation CSV: On (documentation)
• ✅ Custom Export Directory: Set to exports folder

Update Settings

Recommended:

• ✅ Enable automatic update checks
• ✅ Check daily or weekly
• ✅ Read release notes before updating
• ✅ Keep backups before major updates

Language Settings

For Best Experience:

• Use English if comfortable (most documentation in English)
• Use native language for better understanding
• Report missing translations to help community
• Check if your language is available

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Troubleshooting Settings

Settings Not Saving

Possible causes:

• Permission issues
• Corrupted preferences
• Blender not closing properly

Solutions:

• Check folder permissions
• Reset configuration
• Save Blender preferences manually
• Reinstall if necessary

Updates Not Showing

Possible causes:

• Update check disabled
• No internet connection
• Firewall blocking GitHub
• VPN interfering

Solutions:

• Enable update checks
• Check internet connection
• Allow GitHub in firewall
• Temporarily disable VPN

Language Not Changing

Possible causes:

• Blender not restarted
• Translation file missing
• Corrupted language file

Solutions:

• Restart Blender completely
• Verify translation file exists
• Re-download/reinstall if needed

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Settings File Location

Cats stores settings in Blender's preferences:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Blender Foundation\Blender\5.x\config\
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Blender/5.x/config/
• Linux: ~/.config/blender/5.x/config/

⚠️ Warning: Manual editing of preference files can cause issues. Use the Settings panel when possible.

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Integration with Blender Preferences

Cats respects Blender's preferences:

• File paths
• Language settings (when possible)
• Interface scale
• Theme settings

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Changes Requiring Restart

Some settings require Blender restart:

• ✅ Language changes
• ✅ Major configuration resets
• ❌ Export options (immediate effect)
• ❌ Update checks (immediate effect)

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Related Pages:

• Installation - Installing Cats
• Quick Access - Using export features
• Troubleshooting - Common issues
• FAQ - Frequently asked questions