{"id":949,"date":"2026-09-09T23:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T22:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pythoncvc.net\/?p=949"},"modified":"2026-09-09T23:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T22:24:18","slug":"python-materialsdb-0-2-from-a-materials-library-to-a-materials-workflow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pythoncvc.net\/?p=949","title":{"rendered":"python-materialsdb 0.2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has been five years since my last article on this library<\/a>.\nBack then it was an alpha: a thin wrapper to convert materialsdb.org data\ninto an IFC project library. Since then the library grew into a complete\nmaterials workflow: an indexed catalogue, a web GUI to browse and compose\nconstructions, and a two-way integration with Bonsai (the BlenderBIM\nadd-on) \u2014 shipped as a Blender extension you can install and update like any\nother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s new ?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

An indexed catalogue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The library keeps a local sqlite index of everything cached from\nmaterialsdb.org producers (more than 2 000 materials). Filtering by company,\ncategory, \u03bb range, thickness or usage is instant, and parsing got 3.9-4.7x\nfaster along the way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

from materialsdb import query\n\nquery.refresh()                                # update the index from cached xml\nrows = query.search(\"isolant\", sort=\"lambda\")  # filtered, sorted summaries\nmaterial = query.get_material(rows[0].id)      # full material dataclass\n<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
A web application: materialsdb-gui<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A dependency-free (stdlib) local web application, started with materialsdb-gui<\/code>.\nThe picker lets you browse every cached material, sort and facet-filter by\ncompany\/category\/conductivity, pick whole materials or specific manufacturer\nthicknesses, and either export a standalone .ifc<\/code> library or append into the\nIFC file open in your session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A construction maker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Compose thermal constructions layer by layer, with live U-value computation\n(ISO 6946 \/ SIA 180 surface-resistance presets), a scaled stack preview, saved\nconstructions in your cache directory, and export as\nIfcMaterialLayerSet<\/code>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
And now: straight into Bonsai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The part I wanted the most. python-materialsdb<\/code> now ships a\nBlender extension<\/strong>, installable and updatable from inside Blender through\nan extension repository:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Preferences \u25b8 Get Extensions \u25b8 \u2304 \u25b8 Add Remote Repository<\/em> \u2014 add https:\/\/cyrilwaechter.github.io\/python-materialsdb\/index.json<\/a>, then install materialsdb listener<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Once installed, the panel in the 3D-view sidebar can start the GUI server for\nyou, open the picker in your browser, and receive whatever you send:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n