Getting Animation Nodes ready for use in Blender involves activating the addon after it's been added, possibly restarting Blender, and then utilizing the new dedicated workspace.
Enabling the Animation Nodes Addon
After obtaining the Animation Nodes addon file and making it available within Blender's preferences (typically by installing a .zip file via the Add-ons section), the crucial next step is to enable it.
- Locate "Animation Nodes" in your Blender preferences.
- Activate the addon.
As stated in the provided reference, checking the box next to the addon name makes it functional: "And so it will become active."
Restarting Blender is Recommended
While the addon might technically be active immediately, it's often best practice to give Blender a fresh start to ensure everything loads correctly and the addon integrates smoothly.
- Recommendation: Close and reopen Blender after enabling Animation Nodes.
The reference emphasizes this point for stability: "My recommendation is that you restart blender so that everything is okay".
Accessing the Animation Nodes Workspace
Upon successfully activating the addon and potentially restarting Blender, you will gain access to tools and interfaces specifically designed for Animation Nodes. This often includes a dedicated workspace layout.
- Look for a new workspace tab or option in Blender's top bar or workspace dropdown menu.
According to the reference, a specific workspace is created: "now you will have a new workspace right here which is the animation. Notes." This workspace provides a convenient starting point for working with node-based animations.
In summary, based on the provided information, completing the Animation Nodes setup involves activating the addon in preferences, restarting Blender as recommended, and then accessing the new Animation Nodes workspace to begin creating.
