Add Animated Reference Models v1.0.0

[Zbramus]

Animated Reference Models

Adds a workflow tool for previewing and synchronizing animations from other open Blockbench projects as transformable reference models.

Features

• Add another open Blockbench project as an animated reference model
• Synchronize the reference animation with the active project's timeline during playback and scrubbing
• Match animations by exact name or logical final name segment
  • Example: animation.goblin.pet_boar matches animation.boar.pet_boar
• Move, rotate, and scale references directly from the Outliner
• Support multiple animated references in the same project
• Automatically use the reference model's rest pose when no matching animation exists or its animation has ended
• Refresh or unload references without affecting their source projects
• Optional debug information and console logging for troubleshooting

Use case

The plugin is designed for authoring synchronized animations involving models that need to remain in separate Blockbench projects, such as character interactions, mounts, creatures, props, vehicles, combat animations, handshakes, hugs, and similar multi-model scenes.

Each referenced project keeps its own model, bones, textures, and animations. The plugin only provides a synchronized visual reference in the active project.

Testing

Tested with Blockbench 5.2.1 Desktop on Windows.

The plugin passes the repository validator with:

npm run validate animated_reference_models

Credits

Created by Muta & ChatGPT.