turntable

How to use

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npx skills add https://github.com/kevinbadi/blender-skills --skill turntable

Before you start

Installation does not include a model subscription, API allowance or permission to access your files.
Repository stars and installation counts describe activity, not an independent quality or security test.

Original skill document

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Turntable Camera Animation

Orbits the camera 360 degrees around the product for a clean product showcase. Starts front-facing and loops seamlessly.

When to Use

User wants a product turntable / spin video
User says "rotate around", "orbit", "showcase all angles", "turntable"
Default go-to for product showcase videos

Prerequisites

Blender MCP: Connected (blender-mcp addon on port 9876)
3D model: Already imported in the Blender scene
Output folder: ~/Desktop/Blender Videos/ (create if needed)
ffmpeg: Installed for video encoding

Parameters

Parameter	Default	Description
`duration`	`5`	Video length in seconds
`fps`	`24`	Frames per second
`camera_distance`	`4.5`	Distance from object center
`camera_height`	`2.0`	Camera height above object
`camera_lens`	`50`	Focal length in mm
`transparent_bg`	`true`	Transparent background
`output_format`	`mov`	`mov` (ProRes 4444 w/ alpha) or `webm` (VP9 alpha)

Flow

Step 1: Detect Front Face

Render 4 low-res test frames from different camera positions to find the front of the product. Ask the user which angle is the front.

python

import bpy, math
from mathutils import Vector

obj = bpy.data.objects['<OBJECT_NAME>']
bbox = [obj.matrix_world @ Vector(c) for c in obj.bound_box]
center = sum(bbox, Vector()) / 8

RADIUS = 4.5
HEIGHT = 2.0

# Create temp camera
bpy.ops.object.camera_add()
cam = bpy.context.active_object
cam.name = 'TempCam'
bpy.context.scene.camera = cam

# Add track constraint to center
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', location=center)
target = bpy.context.active_object
target.name = 'TempTarget'

cam.constraints.new(type='TRACK_TO').target = target

# Render 4 angles
positions = {
    'front': (center.x, center.y - RADIUS, HEIGHT),
    'right': (center.x + RADIUS, center.y, HEIGHT),
    'back': (center.x, center.y + RADIUS, HEIGHT),
    'left': (center.x - RADIUS, center.y, HEIGHT),
}
for label, pos in positions.items():
    cam.location = pos
    bpy.context.scene.render.filepath = f'<OUTPUT>/facing_{label}.png'
    bpy.ops.render.render(write_still=True)

Show all 4 images to the user and ask which is the front.

Step 2: Set Up Camera Rig

python

import bpy, math

# Create target empty at object center
bpy.ops.object.empty_add(type='PLAIN_AXES', location=(0, 0, 0))
target = bpy.context.active_object
target.name = 'TurntableTarget'

# Create camera at front-facing position (determined from Step 1)
# Default front = -Y axis
bpy.ops.object.camera_add(location=(0, -CAMERA_DISTANCE, CAMERA_HEIGHT))
cam = bpy.context.active_object
cam.name = 'TurntableCamera'
cam.data.lens = 50

# Track to target
track = cam.constraints.new(type='TRACK_TO')
track.target = target
track.track_axis = 'TRACK_NEGATIVE_Z'
track.up_axis = 'UP_Y'

# Parent camera to target for orbit
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='DESELECT')
cam.select_set(True)
target.select_set(True)
bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = target
bpy.ops.object.parent_set(type='OBJECT', keep_transform=True)

bpy.context.scene.camera = cam

Step 3: Animate 360 Rotation

python

import bpy, math

TOTAL_FRAMES = DURATION * FPS  # e.g. 5 * 24 = 120

scene = bpy.context.scene
scene.frame_start = 1
scene.frame_end = TOTAL_FRAMES
scene.render.fps = FPS

target = bpy.data.objects['TurntableTarget']
target.rotation_euler = (0, 0, 0)
target.keyframe_insert(data_path='rotation_euler', frame=1)
target.rotation_euler = (0, 0, math.radians(360))
target.keyframe_insert(data_path='rotation_euler', frame=TOTAL_FRAMES + 1)

# IMPORTANT: Linear interpolation for constant speed
# Blender 5.1 uses layered actions:
action = target.animation_data.action
strip = action.layers[0].strips[0]
for cb in strip.channelbags:
    for fc in cb.fcurves:
        for kp in fc.keyframe_points:
            kp.interpolation = 'LINEAR'

Step 4: Set Up Lighting

python

import bpy, math

# Warm sunset lighting on LIGHTS only (not on materials/world)
bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(3, -3, 4))
k = bpy.context.active_object; k.name='GoldenKey'
k.data.energy = 2000; k.data.size = 3.0
k.data.color = (1.0, 0.78, 0.45)
k.rotation_euler = (math.radians(45), 0, math.radians(25))

bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(-3, -2, 3))
f = bpy.context.active_object; f.name='WarmFill'
f.data.energy = 1000; f.data.size = 5.0
f.data.color = (1.0, 0.75, 0.4)
f.rotation_euler = (math.radians(40), 0, math.radians(-30))

bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(0, 0, 5))
oh = bpy.context.active_object; oh.name='OverheadWash'
oh.data.energy = 800; oh.data.size = 8.0
oh.data.color = (1.0, 0.92, 0.75)

bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(0, 4, 2))
r = bpy.context.active_object; r.name='WarmRim'
r.data.energy = 800; r.data.size = 3.0
r.data.color = (1.0, 0.65, 0.3)
r.rotation_euler = (math.radians(-40), 0, math.radians(180))

bpy.ops.object.light_add(type='AREA', location=(4, 0, 0.5))
sw = bpy.context.active_object; sw.name='SideGlow'
sw.data.energy = 600; sw.data.size = 2.0
sw.data.color = (1.0, 0.8, 0.5)
sw.rotation_euler = (math.radians(5), 0, math.radians(90))

Step 5: Render

python

import bpy, os

scene = bpy.context.scene
scene.render.resolution_x = 1920
scene.render.resolution_y = 1080
scene.render.film_transparent = True
scene.render.engine = 'CYCLES'  # better metallic reflections
scene.cycles.samples = 64
scene.cycles.use_denoising = True
scene.cycles.device = 'GPU'
scene.render.image_settings.file_format = 'PNG'
scene.render.image_settings.color_mode = 'RGBA'

# Neutral world for subtle reflections (not colored)
if not scene.world:
    scene.world = bpy.data.worlds.new("World")
scene.world.use_nodes = True
bg = scene.world.node_tree.nodes.get('Background')
bg.inputs['Color'].default_value = (0.95, 0.95, 0.95, 1)
bg.inputs['Strength'].default_value = 0.3

frames_dir = os.path.expanduser('~/Desktop/Blender Videos/turntable_frames/')
os.makedirs(frames_dir, exist_ok=True)
scene.render.filepath = frames_dir

bpy.ops.render.render(animation=True)

Step 6: Encode Video

MCP will timeout during render. Poll frames directory until all frames exist, then encode:

bash

# ProRes 4444 with alpha (transparent)
ffmpeg -y -framerate 24 \
  -i "~/Desktop/Blender Videos/turntable_frames/%04d.png" \
  -c:v prores_ks -profile:v 4444 -pix_fmt yuva444p10le \
  "~/Desktop/Blender Videos/turntable.mov"

Blender 5.1 Notes

Render engine enum: BLENDER_EEVEE (not BLENDER_EEVEE_NEXT)
No FFMPEG output format — render PNG sequence + encode with ffmpeg
Layered actions API: action.layers[0].strips[0].channelbags to access fcurves
film_transparent = True for transparent background
Warm color goes on the LIGHTS, not on the world/materials

How to use

Before you start

Turntable Camera Animation

When to Use

Prerequisites

Parameters

Flow

Step 1: Detect Front Face

Step 2: Set Up Camera Rig

Step 3: Animate 360 Rotation

Step 4: Set Up Lighting

Step 5: Render

Step 6: Encode Video

Blender 5.1 Notes

More skills

blender-product-polish

blender-threejs-export

dolly-rotate

image-to-3d