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blender_animation

PORTMANTEAU PATTERN RATIONALE: Consolidates 17 related animation operations into single interface. Prevents tool explosion while maintaining full animation workflow functionality from basic keyframes to advanced character rigging.

Instructions

PORTMANTEAU PATTERN RATIONALE: Consolidates 17 related animation operations into single interface. Prevents tool explosion while maintaining full animation workflow functionality from basic keyframes to advanced character rigging. Follows FastMCP 2.14.3 best practices.

Comprehensive animation system for Blender supporting keyframes, shape keys, actions, constraints, and baking.

Animation Categories:

Basic Animation (7 operations):

  • set_keyframe: Insert keyframes for location/rotation/scale at specific frames

  • animate_location: Create movement animation between start/end frames

  • animate_rotation: Create rotation animation with customizable curves

  • animate_scale: Create scale animation with interpolation control

  • play_animation: Start/stop viewport playback for preview

  • set_frame_range: Define timeline start/end frames for scene

  • clear_animation: Remove all keyframes from object (destructive)

Shape Keys (VRM facial expressions) (4 operations):

  • list_shape_keys: Display all morph targets on mesh object

  • set_shape_key: Set blend value (0.0-1.0) for shape key

  • keyframe_shape_key: Insert keyframe for shape key animation

  • create_shape_key: Create new shape key from current mesh state

Action Management (4 operations):

  • list_actions: Show all animation actions in blend file

  • create_action: Generate new action clip for object animation

  • set_active_action: Assign action to object for playback

  • push_to_nla: Push action to NLA track for layering/compositing

Interpolation & Timing (2 operations):

  • set_interpolation: Set keyframe interpolation type (LINEAR, BEZIER, BOUNCE, ELASTIC, CONSTANT)

  • set_easing: Configure easing curves (AUTO, EASE_IN, EASE_OUT, EASE_IN_OUT)

Constraints (2 operations):

  • add_constraint: Add transform constraints to objects

  • add_bone_constraint: Add pose constraints to armature bones

Baking for Export (2 operations):

  • bake_action: Convert constraints to keyframes for export compatibility

  • bake_all_actions: Consolidate NLA strips into single action

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
frameNoFrame number for keyframe insertion. Default: 1. Range: 1 to 10000.
scaleNoTarget scale factors (x, y, z) for keyframes. Required for: "set_keyframe" (scale), "animate_scale".
valueNoShape key blend value. Range: 0.0 to 1.0. Default: 1.0. Required for: "set_shape_key", "keyframe_shape_key".
easingNoKeyframe easing mode. One of: "AUTO", "EASE_IN", "EASE_OUT", "EASE_IN_OUT". Default: "AUTO".AUTO
from_mixNoWhether to create shape key from current mix. Default: False.
locationNoTarget location coordinates (x, y, z) for keyframes. Required for: "set_keyframe" (location), "animate_location".
rotationNoTarget rotation values (degrees) for keyframes. Required for: "set_keyframe" (rotation), "animate_rotation".
bone_nameNoTarget bone name within armature for pose operations. Required for: "add_bone_constraint", bone targeting in constraints.
data_pathNoFCurve data path for interpolation operations. Default: auto-detected.
end_frameNoEnding frame for animation ranges. Default: 60. Must be > start_frame.
end_scaleNoEnding scale for animation. Default: (2, 2, 2).
influenceNoConstraint influence factor. Range: 0.0 to 1.0. Default: 1.0.
operationNoThe animation operation to perform. Must be one of: "set_keyframe", "animate_location", "animate_rotation", "animate_scale", "play_animation", "set_frame_range", "clear_animation", "list_shape_keys", "set_shape_key", "keyframe_shape_key", "create_shape_key", "list_actions", "create_action", "set_active_action", "push_to_nla", "set_interpolation", "set_easing", "add_constraint", "add_bone_constraint", "bake_action", "bake_all_actions". - Basic operations: "set_keyframe", "animate_*", "play_animation", "set_frame_range", "clear_animation" - Shape key operations: "list_shape_keys", "set_shape_key", "keyframe_shape_key", "create_shape_key" - Action operations: "list_actions", "create_action", "set_active_action", "push_to_nla" - Interpolation: "set_interpolation", "set_easing" - Constraints: "add_constraint", "add_bone_constraint" - Baking: "bake_action", "bake_all_actions"set_keyframe
bake_typesNoTypes of data to bake. One of: "POSE", "OBJECT", "ALL". Default: "POSE".POSE
track_nameNoNLA track name for action placement. Default: auto-generated.
action_nameNoName for new or existing action. Required for: "create_action", "set_active_action", "push_to_nla".
object_nameNoTarget object name for animation operations. Required for most operations.
start_frameNoStarting frame for animation ranges. Default: 1. Must be < end_frame.
start_scaleNoStarting scale for animation. Default: (1, 1, 1).
target_boneNoName of target bone for bone constraints.
target_nameNoName of target object for constraint. Required for all constraint operations.
end_locationNoEnding location for animation. Default: (5, 0, 0).
end_rotationNoEnding rotation for animation. Default: (360, 0, 0).
armature_nameNoTarget armature name for bone-specific operations. Required for: "add_bone_constraint", bone targeting in constraints.
interpolationNoKeyframe interpolation type. One of: "CONSTANT", "LINEAR", "BEZIER", "SINE", "QUAD", "CUBIC", "QUART", "QUINT", "EXPO", "CIRC", "BACK", "BOUNCE", "ELASTIC". Default: "BEZIER".BEZIER
visual_keyingNoInclude visual transforms in baking. Default: True.
shape_key_nameNoName of shape key for morph operations. Required for: "set_shape_key", "keyframe_shape_key", "create_shape_key".
start_locationNoStarting location for animation. Default: (0, 0, 0).
start_rotationNoStarting rotation for animation. Default: (0, 0, 0).
constraint_typeNoType of constraint to add. One of: "COPY_ROTATION", "COPY_LOCATION", "COPY_SCALE", "TRACK_TO", "DAMPED_TRACK", "LOCKED_TRACK", "STRETCH_TO", "CLAMP_TO", "TRANSFORM", "CHILD_OF". Default: "COPY_ROTATION".COPY_ROTATION
target_armatureNoName of target armature for bone constraints.
clear_constraintsNoRemove constraints after baking. Default: False.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultYes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. First observedv0.1.0

TDQS

B3/5.0
Behavior1/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

The description explicitly labels 'clear_animation' as '(destructive)', but the annotations declare destructiveHint: false. This is a direct contradiction. The annotation system is designed to convey this safety information, and the description contradicts it, which is a serious inconsistency.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is well-structured with clear category headers and bullet lists, making it navigable for a complex 32-parameter tool. However, it includes an unnecessary 'PORTMANTEAU PATTERN RATIONALE' paragraph that adds meta-narrative rather than operational guidance, and the overall length is verbose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the high complexity (32 parameters, 21 operations), the description provides a comprehensive overview of all operation categories, which is highly useful for orientation. An output schema exists, so return values are covered. Minor gaps remain, such as not describing side effects for baking operations or constraint behaviors, but overall it is complete for a tool of this scale.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with each parameter already thoroughly documented in the input schema (e.g., ranges, defaults, required-for mapping). The tool description adds no extra parameter semantics beyond grouping operations by category, which is marginal value, so the baseline of 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states 'Comprehensive animation system for Blender supporting keyframes, shape keys, actions, constraints, and baking' and enumerates 17 operations across categories, providing a specific verb+resource. However, it does not explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like blender_rigging or blender_shapekeys, though the portmanteau rationale explains the consolidation rationale.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage by listing operation categories (e.g., Basic Animation, Shape Keys, Constraints) and notes when certain parameters are required for specific operations. However, it does not provide explicit when-to-use vs. alternatives guidance, nor does it mention exclusions or when to prefer sibling tools such as blender_shapekeys or blender_rigging.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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