Support loading BlenderBIM in Blender 4.2+ as an extension

1) Used a hack to bring `blenderbim` into the main namespace instead of `bl_ext.repository.blenderbim`. This is not an official way to do it but this works for testing stuff (official way is to create a stub wheel that would redirect all `blenderbim` requests to `bl_ext.repository.blenderbim`).
2) AddonPreferences now require blender package name as it's bl_idname (e.g. bl_ext.repository.blenderbim)
3) Addressing preferences now also works through the blender package name. Created method in tool/Blender.py to incapsulate those details.

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/__init__.py

@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ import traceback
 import webbrowser
 from collections import deque
 
+# NOTE: bl_info is superseded by blender_manifest.toml
+# if addon is installed as an extension (Blender 4.2+)
 bl_info = {
     "name": "BlenderBIM",
     "description": "Transforms Blender into a native Building Information Model authoring platform using IFC.",
@@ -92,7 +94,6 @@ if IN_BLENDER:
     sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)), "libs", "site", "packages"))
 
     try:
-        import blenderbim.bim
         import ifcopenshell.api
 
         def log_api(usecase_path, ifc_file, settings):
@@ -107,9 +108,21 @@ if IN_BLENDER:
         ifcopenshell.api.add_pre_listener("*", "action_logger", log_api)
 
         def register():
+            global BLENDER_PACKAGE_NAME, __name__, __package__
+            BLENDER_PACKAGE_NAME = __name__
+            if bpy.app.version >= (4, 2, 0):
+                sys.modules["blenderbim"] = sys.modules[__name__]
+                __name__ = "blenderbim"
+                # Only renaming __name__ is actually required to make imports work.
+                # We renaming __package__ just for consistency.
+                __package__ = "blenderbim"
+            import blenderbim.bim
+
             blenderbim.bim.register()
 
         def unregister():
+            import blenderbim.bim
+
             blenderbim.bim.unregister()
 
     except:

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/handler.py

@@ -291,12 +291,13 @@ def load_post(scene):
     ifcopenshell.api.owner.settings.get_application = get_application
     AuthoringData.type_thumbnails = {}
 
-    if not bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.should_setup_toolbar:
+    preferences = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
+    if not preferences.should_setup_toolbar:
         tool.Blender.unregister_toolbar()
 
-    if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.should_setup_workspace:
+    if preferences.should_setup_workspace:
         if "BIM" in bpy.data.workspaces:
-            if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.activate_workspace:
+            if preferences.activate_workspace:
                 bpy.context.window.workspace = bpy.data.workspaces["BIM"]
         else:
             bpy.ops.workspace.append_activate(idname="BIM", filepath=os.path.join(cwd, "data", "workspace.blend"))

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/import_ifc.py

@@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ class IfcImporter:
                 shape = tool.Loader.create_generic_shape(grid)
             grid_obj = self.create_product(grid, shape)
             grid_placement = self.get_element_matrix(grid)
-            if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.lock_grids_on_import:
+            if tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().lock_grids_on_import:
                 grid_obj.lock_location = (True, True, True)
                 grid_obj.lock_rotation = (True, True, True)
             self.create_grid_axes(grid.UAxes, grid_obj, grid_placement)
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ class IfcImporter:
             shape = tool.Loader.create_generic_shape(axis.AxisCurve)
             mesh = self.create_mesh(axis, shape)
             obj = bpy.data.objects.new(f"IfcGridAxis/{axis.AxisTag}", mesh)
-            if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.lock_grids_on_import:
+            if tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().lock_grids_on_import:
                 obj.lock_location = (True, True, True)
                 obj.lock_rotation = (True, True, True)
             self.link_element(axis, obj)
@@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ class IfcImporter:
         print("Done creating geometry")
 
     def create_spatial_elements(self) -> None:
-        if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.spatial_elements_unselectable:
+        if tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().spatial_elements_unselectable:
             self.create_generic_elements(self.spatial_elements, unselectable=True)
         else:
             self.create_generic_elements(self.spatial_elements, unselectable=False)

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/boundary/decorator.py

@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ class BoundaryDecorator:
         batch.draw(shader)
 
     def __call__(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/clash/decorator.py

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class ClashDecorator:
         batch.draw(shader)
 
     def draw_text(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class ClashDecorator:
             blf.draw(font_id, text)  # Set your text here
 
     def draw_geometry(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/drawing/decoration.py

@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ class BaseDecorator:
         """`verts` should be in winspace with `(0,0,0)` in the screen left bottom corner, not in the center"""
         region = context.region
         if not color:
-            color = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.decorations_colour
+            color = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().decorations_colour
 
         self.line_shader.bind()
         # POLYLINE_UNIFORM_COLOR specific uniforms
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ class BaseDecorator:
 
         font_id = self.font_id
 
-        color = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.decorations_colour
+        color = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().decorations_colour
 
         ang = -Vector((1, 0)).angle_signed(text_dir)
         cos = math.cos(ang)
@@ -812,7 +812,7 @@ class AngleDecorator(BaseDecorator):
         arcs_color = None
         edges_color = UNSPECIAL_ELEMENT_COLOR
         if context.active_object == obj and obj.data.is_editmode:
-            arcs_color = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.decorator_color_special
+            arcs_color = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().decorator_color_special
             edges_color = None
 
         self.draw_lines(
@@ -1093,7 +1093,7 @@ class HiddenDecorator(BaseDecorator):
         else:
             verts, idxs = self.get_mesh_geom(obj)
         winspace_verts = worldspace_to_winspace(verts, context)
-        color = [i for i in context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.decorations_colour]
+        color = [i for i in tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().decorations_colour]
         color[3] = 0.5
         self.draw_lines(context, obj, winspace_verts, idxs, color)
 
@@ -1409,7 +1409,7 @@ class GridDecorator(BaseDecorator):
             # stem with gaps for circles
             add_verts_sequence([v0 + gap, v1 - gap], start_i, **out_kwargs)
 
-        color = [i for i in context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.decorations_colour]
+        color = [i for i in tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().decorations_colour]
         color[3] = 0.5
         self.draw_lines(context, obj, output_verts, output_edges, color)
         self.draw_labels(context, obj, verts)
@@ -1591,7 +1591,7 @@ class CutDecorator:
         cls.installed = None
 
     def __call__(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
 
         all_vertices = []

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/drawing/operator.py

@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ class CreateDrawing(bpy.types.Operator):
                     svg_path = self.combine_svgs(context, underlay_svg, linework_svg, annotation_svg)
 
             tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(
-                context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg_command, svg_path
+                tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg_command, svg_path
             )
 
         if self.print_all:
@@ -1374,8 +1374,8 @@ class CreateSheets(bpy.types.Operator, Operator):
                 ),
             )
 
-        svg2pdf_command = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg2pdf_command
+        svg2pdf_command = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg2pdf_command
-        svg2dxf_command = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg2dxf_command
+        svg2dxf_command = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg2dxf_command
 
         if svg2pdf_command:
             # With great power comes great responsibility. Example:
@@ -1393,9 +1393,9 @@ class CreateSheets(bpy.types.Operator, Operator):
                 subprocess.run([replacements.get(c, c) for c in command])
 
         if svg2pdf_command:
-            tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.pdf_command, pdf)
+            tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().pdf_command, pdf)
         else:
-            tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg_command, svg)
+            tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg_command, svg)
 
 
 class SelectAllDrawings(bpy.types.Operator):
@@ -1463,7 +1463,7 @@ class OpenDrawing(bpy.types.Operator):
 
         for drawing_uri in drawing_uris:
             tool.Drawing.open_with_user_command(
-                context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg_command, drawing_uri
+                tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg_command, drawing_uri
             )
         return {"FINISHED"}
 

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/model/decorator.py

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class ProfileDecorator:
         self.draw_batch("TRIS", vertices_coords, faces_color, face_indices)
 
     def __call__(self, context, get_custom_bmesh=None, draw_faces=False, exit_edit_mode_callback=None):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/model/opening.py

@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ class DecorationsHandler:
         batch.draw(shader)
 
     def __call__(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/project/decorator.py

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class ProjectDecorator:
         batch.draw(shader)
 
     def __call__(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class ClippingPlaneDecorator:
         batch.draw(shader)
 
     def __call__(self, context):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/pset/ui.py

@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ def draw_psetqto_ui(context, pset_id, pset, props, layout, obj_type, allow_remov
         else:
             has_props_displayed = False
             for prop in pset["Properties"]:
-                if context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.should_hide_empty_props and (
+                if tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().should_hide_empty_props and (
                     prop["NominalValue"] is None or prop["NominalValue"] == ""
                 ):
                     continue

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/module/system/decorator.py

@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class SystemDecorator:
         self.draw_batch("TRIS", vertices_coords, faces_color, face_indices)
 
     def __call__(self, context, get_custom_bmesh=None, draw_faces=False, exit_edit_mode_callback=None):
-        self.addon_prefs = context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences
+        self.addon_prefs = tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences()
         selected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_selected
         unselected_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_unselected
         special_elements_color = self.addon_prefs.decorator_color_special

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/ui.py

@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ class BIM_UL_topics(bpy.types.UIList):
 
 
 class BIM_ADDON_preferences(bpy.types.AddonPreferences):
-    bl_idname = "blenderbim"
+    bl_idname = tool.Blender.get_blender_addon_package_name()
     svg2pdf_command: StringProperty(name="SVG to PDF Command", description='E.g. [["inkscape", "svg", "-o", pdf]]')
     svg2dxf_command: StringProperty(
         name="SVG to DXF Command",

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/tool/blender.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with BlenderBIM Add-on.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+from __future__ import annotations
 import bpy
 import bmesh
 import json
@@ -1132,3 +1133,14 @@ class Blender(blenderbim.core.tool.Blender):
     @classmethod
     def clear_recent_ifc_projects(cls) -> None:
         cls.write_recent_ifc_projects([])
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_blender_addon_package_name(cls) -> str:
+        if bpy.app.version >= (4, 2, 0):
+            return blenderbim.BLENDER_PACKAGE_NAME
+        return "blenderbim"
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_addon_preferences(cls) -> blenderbim.bim.ui.BIM_ADDON_preferences:
+        blender_package_name = cls.get_blender_addon_package_name()
+        return bpy.context.preferences.addons[blender_package_name].preferences

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/tool/cost.py

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ class Cost(blenderbim.core.tool.Cost):
 
     @classmethod
     def play_sound(cls):
-        if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.should_play_chaching_sound:
+        if tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().should_play_chaching_sound:
             cls.play_chaching_sound()  # lol
 
     @classmethod

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/tool/drawing.py

@@ -889,15 +889,15 @@ class Drawing(blenderbim.core.tool.Drawing):
 
     @classmethod
     def open_spreadsheet(cls, uri):
-        cls.open_with_user_command(bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.spreadsheet_command, uri)
+        cls.open_with_user_command(tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().spreadsheet_command, uri)
 
     @classmethod
     def open_svg(cls, uri):
-        cls.open_with_user_command(bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.svg_command, uri)
+        cls.open_with_user_command(tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().svg_command, uri)
 
     @classmethod
     def open_layout_svg(cls, uri):
-        cls.open_with_user_command(bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.layout_svg_command, uri)
+        cls.open_with_user_command(tool.Blender.get_addon_preferences().layout_svg_command, uri)
 
     @classmethod
     def run_root_assign_class(