Generate Low-Poly Wood Stairs With Blender Python API For Website

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Generate Wood Stairs in Blender Using Python and Display in Browser with Model-Viewer

This beginner-friendly tutorial walks you through how to:

• Script wood stairs in Blender using Python
• Create and apply a basic wooden material
• Save the model as a .blend file
• Export the model as a .glb file
• Use an HDR environment background
• Display the model in a web browser using model-viewer

Step 1: Python Script to Create Stairs, Save .blend, and Export .glb

Create a file called create_wood_stairs.py with the following content:

import bpy
import os

# Clear the scene
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='SELECT')
bpy.ops.object.delete(use_global=False)

# Create a PBR-compatible material (Principled BSDF with base color)
material_name = "WoodMaterial"
if material_name in bpy.data.materials:
    pbr_mat = bpy.data.materials[material_name]
else:
    pbr_mat = bpy.data.materials.new(name=material_name)
    pbr_mat.use_nodes = True
    nodes = pbr_mat.node_tree.nodes
    links = pbr_mat.node_tree.links

    # Clear existing nodes
    for node in nodes:
        nodes.remove(node)

    # Create new nodes
    output = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeOutputMaterial')
    principled = nodes.new(type='ShaderNodeBsdfPrincipled')

    # Wood color + glossy setup
    principled.inputs['Base Color'].default_value = (0.15, 0.1, 0.05, 1)  # Warm brown wood
    principled.inputs['Roughness'].default_value = 0.15  # Slight gloss
    principled.inputs['Metallic'].default_value = 0.0    # Wood is non-metallic

    # Link BSDF to output
    links.new(principled.outputs['BSDF'], output.inputs['Surface'])

# Function to assign material
def assign_material(obj, mat):
    if obj.data.materials:
        obj.data.materials[0] = mat
    else:
        obj.data.materials.append(mat)

# Original create_stairs function logic (maintaining the step alignment and scaling)
def create_stairs(steps=7, width=2, depth=1, initial_height=0.06, material=None):
    z_position = 0  # Initial Z position for the first step
    
    # Create the stairs (steps)
    for i in range(1, steps + 1):  # Start i from 1 to ensure proper height scaling
        height = i * initial_height  # Step i will be i times the height of the first step
        z_position = (i - 1) * initial_height  # Adjust Z position so bottoms align
        
        # Adjust the location so the bottom of the step aligns at the proper Z position
        bottom_z = z_position - (height / 2)  # Move the step's bottom to the right Z position

        bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cube_add(
            size=1,
            location=(0, i * depth, bottom_z)  # Adjust for step bottom, not center
        )
        cube = bpy.context.object
        cube.scale = (width / 2, depth, height)  # Adjust step height progressively
        cube.name = f"Step_{i}"

        if material:
            if cube.data.materials:
                cube.data.materials[0] = material
            else:
                cube.data.materials.append(material)

# Create stairs with the updated material
create_stairs(steps=7, width=2, depth=1.00, initial_height=0.24, material=pbr_mat)

# Save .blend file
blend_save_path = bpy.path.abspath("//wood_stairs.blend")
bpy.ops.wm.save_as_mainfile(filepath=blend_save_path)

# Export to GLB with compatible options
output_path = os.path.join(bpy.path.abspath("//"), "wood_stairs.glb")
bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
    filepath=output_path,
    export_format='GLB',
    export_materials='EXPORT',
    export_normals=True
)

Step 2: Run the Script via Command Line

Run the script using Blender in background mode:

blender --background --python create_wood_stairs.py

This will:

• Generate wooden stairs
• Apply a simple wood texture
• Set HDR lighting (if the file exists)
• Save the project as wood_stairs.blend
• Export the stairs as wood_stairs.glb

Step 3: HDRI Background on Linux

If Blender was installed using your Linux distro’s package manager (such as apt or dnf), HDRI files are often located at:

/usr/share/blender/datafiles/studiolights/world/

You can list available HDRs with:

ls /usr/share/blender/datafiles/studiolights/world/

Use one of the HDRIs like forest.exr in your script.

Step 4: View the Model with model-viewer in the Browser

Upload the exported wood_stairs.glb to your website and embed it like this:

<script type="module" src="https://unpkg.com/@google/model-viewer/dist/model-viewer.min.js"></script>

<model-viewer src="wood_stairs.glb" alt="Wooden Stairs"
              auto-rotate camera-controls ar
              style="width: 100%; height: 500px;">
</model-viewer>

📸 Screenshots & Screencast

Learn More with Books and Courses

If you’d like to go further with Python or Blender scripting, check out the following:

• Learning Python (Book) – For absolute beginners
• Mastering Blender Python API (Book) – Advanced Blender scripting
• Learning Python Online Course – With practical exercises
• One-on-One Python & Blender Tutoring – Get personalized help