.. highlight:: shell

.. _install_blender_addon:

Installing the LIATool Addon
============================

This guide explains the steps to install the LIATool addon in Blender. Installing the addon follows the standard process for any Blender addon. Follow these steps carefully, and refer to the provided figures for clarity.

For general information on installing addons, see the `official Blender addon installation guide <https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/editors/preferences/addons.html>`_.

Prerequisites
-------------
Before proceeding, ensure the following:

- **Blender Version:** You have Blender version 4.0.1 installed on your system. You can download it from the `official Blender website <https://www.blender.org/download/>`_ or `Blender 4.0.1 <https://download.blender.org/release/Blender4.0/>`_.
- **Addon File:** Download the LIATool addon ZIP file from here: `LIATool`_.

.. _LIATool: /_static/liatool-dev-0.5.1.zip

Installation Steps
------------------

1. **Open Blender**

   - Launch Blender on your computer.

   - Blender's startup screen should look like this:

    .. figure:: /_static/blender-startup-screen.png
        :align: center
        :width: 75%
        
        Blender startup screen

2. **Access the Preferences**

   - Navigate to the top menu bar and click on :menuselection:`Edit --> Preferences`.

   - In the Preferences window, select the :guilabel:`Add-ons` tab from the left-hand menu.

   - Preferences window:

    .. figure:: /_static/blender-preferences-menu.png
        :align: center
        :width: 75%

        Blender Preferences menu
 

3. **Install the Addon**

   - Click the :guilabel:`Install...` button at the top-right corner of the Add-ons tab.

   - In the file browser that opens, locate and select the LIATool addon .zip file.

   - Click :guilabel:`Install Add-on`.

   - File browser for selecting the addon file:

    .. figure:: /_static/blender-file-browser.png
        :align: center
        :width: 75%

        File browser for selecting the addon file


4. **Enable the Addon**

   - After installation, search for the LIATool addon in the search bar located in the Add-ons tab.

   - Enable the addon by clicking the checkbox next to its name.

   - Enabling the addon:

    .. figure:: /_static/liatool-addon-enable.png
        :align: center
        :width: 75%

        Enabling the LIATool addon

5. **Save Preferences**

   - To ensure the addon remains enabled in future sessions, click the :guilabel:`Save Preferences` button in the bottom-left corner of the Preferences window.

Verification
-------------
To confirm the LIATool addon was installed successfully:

- **Error Check:** Check for any errors or warnings in the status bar or console.
- **Functionality Test:** Test the addon functionality as per its documentation.

Troubleshooting
----------------
If you encounter issues during installation:

- Ensure the LIATool addon file is compatible with your version of Blender.
- Check for dependency requirements in the addon's documentation.
- Review error messages in the system console for hints on resolving issues.

Uninstalling the LIATool Addon
------------------------------
To uninstall the LIATool addon:

1. Navigate to the :guilabel:`Add-ons` tab in the Preferences window.
2. Locate the LIATool addon in the list.
3. Click the :guilabel:`Remove` button.
4. Optionally, delete the addon's files from the Blender addons directory.

For more information, refer to the `official Blender documentation <https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/editors/preferences/addons.html>`_.