Generate Animated Candle With Blender Python API For Website

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Animate a 3D Candle with Blender Python & View it Online with <model-viewer>

Welcome, fellow creator! Today, we’re diving into a fun, beginner-friendly project: generating an **animated 3D candle** using the **Blender Python API** and then displaying it right in your web browser using Google’s awesome **<model-viewer>** element. You don’t need to be a Python expert-just ready to copy, paste, and run!

Blender is a powerful 3D suite, and its Python API lets you automate complex tasks, like modeling and animating, with just a few lines of code.

Step 1: The Blender Python Script

We’ll use a simple Python script to create a basic candle shape, add a flickering flame animation, and export the final animated model as a **GLB file** (a compact format perfect for the web).

Save the following code as a file named **create_candle.py**:

import bpy

# --- 1. Clean up the scene ---
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='SELECT')
bpy.ops.object.delete()

# --- 2. Create the Candle Body (Cylinder) ---
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cylinder_add(radius=0.1, depth=0.5, location=(0, 0, 0.25))
candle = bpy.context.object
candle.name = "Candle"

# --- 3. Create the Wick (Smaller Cylinder) ---
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cylinder_add(radius=0.01, depth=0.05, location=(0, 0, 0.525))
wick = bpy.context.object
wick.name = "Wick"

# --- 4. Create the Flame (Simple Cone) ---
bpy.ops.mesh.primitive_cone_add(radius1=0.03, depth=0.1, location=(0, 0, 0.6))
flame = bpy.context.object
flame.name = "Flame"

# --- 5. Add a simple animation (flicker) ---
# We'll just animate the flame's Z-scale over a few frames
flame.scale.y = 1.0 # Initial scale
flame.keyframe_insert(data_path="scale", frame=1)

flame.scale.y = 1.2 # Slightly bigger
flame.keyframe_insert(data_path="scale", frame=10)

flame.scale.y = 0.9 # Slightly smaller
flame.keyframe_insert(data_path="scale", frame=20)

flame.scale.y = 1.0 # Back to normal
flame.keyframe_insert(data_path="scale", frame=30)

# Make the animation cycle
for fcurve in flame.animation_data.action.fcurves:
    fcurve.modifiers.new(type='CYCLES')

# Set scene frame range
bpy.context.scene.frame_end = 30

# --- 6. Export the scene as an animated GLB file ---
output_path = "//animated_candle.glb" # Exports to the same directory as the blend file
bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
    filepath=output_path,
    export_format='GLB',
    export_apply=True,
    export_yup=True,
    export_animations=True # Crucial for animation!
)

print(f"Candle model exported to: {output_path}")

Step 2: Running the Python Script

You don’t need to open Blender’s graphical interface to run this! You can execute the script directly from your computer’s **command line** (Terminal on Mac/Linux, Command Prompt/PowerShell on Windows).

First, you need to know the path to your Blender executable.

Navigate to the directory where you saved **create_candle.py** and run the following command. Replace **/path/to/blender** with your actual Blender application path:

/path/to/blender -b -P create_candle.py
    

• **-b**: This means “background” and runs Blender without the graphical interface-it’s fast!
• **-P create_candle.py**: This tells Blender to run your Python script.

After running the command, a file named **animated_candle.glb** will appear in the same directory! That’s your animated 3D model.

Showing Your Candle on the Web

Now for the magic trick: displaying your 3D creation in a web browser using **<model-viewer>**. This is an amazing Web Component that handles all the complex 3D rendering for you.

Create a simple HTML file (e.g., **index.html**) and paste the following code. Make sure the **animated_candle.glb** file is in the same folder!

    <script type="module" src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/model-viewer/3.5.0/model-viewer.min.js"></script>
    <style>
        model-viewer {
            width: 100%;
            height: 400px;
            background-color: #f0f0f0;
        }
    </style>

    <h1>My First Blender Python 3D Web Model!</h1>

    <model-viewer
        src="animated_candle.glb"
        alt="A flickering animated 3D candle"
        auto-rotate
        camera-controls
        ar
        animation-name="Animation"
        autoplay>
    </model-viewer>

Open **index.html** in your browser, and you should see your animated candle spinning! The **autoplay** attribute ensures the flicker animation starts right away.

📸 Screenshots & Screencast

Ready to Learn More?

If you enjoyed automating this 3D creation, you might be interested in taking your **Python** and **Blender Python API** skills to the next level.

I’ve written books to help you on your journey:

• “Learning Python” link: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-Programming-eBook-Beginners-ebook/dp/B0D8BQ5X99
• “Mastering Blender Python API” link: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Blender-Python-API-Programming-ebook/dp/B0FCCQKFFZ

You can also enroll in my structured course:

• “Learning Python” course link: https://ojamboshop.com/product/learning-python

For personalized, in-depth help, I am available for one-on-one online Python tutorials, including specialized sessions on the Blender Python API. You can reach out to me here:

• Contact for one-on-one online Python tutorials: https://ojambo.com/contact

Happy coding and animating! What other 3D objects are you going to automate next? Let me know in the comments!