Installation & Setup

Note

This guide covers The Violence Tool v2.0 for Blender 5.1.2 (or testing 5.2) If you’re using Blender 4.1.1, see the “Stable” documentation version instead. You can switch between versions in the lower right corner.

Before installing, verify your environment:

  • Blender Version: 5.1 or 5.2 LTS (Grease Pencil 3 required)

  • Download: Fred’s Grease Pencil Layer Manager (v2.0) py script as a plugin

  • Also: Rex’s Keymap.py file to import to keybinds in preferences.

Getting these files

The Violence Tool and supporting files are currently distributed exclusively through Fred’s Discord server.

  1. Join the Server: If you haven’t already, join the Discord community linked on the project homepage.

  2. Ask for access to the Grease Pencil channel: Resources and the py file are pinned to the channel.

  3. Download: Save the Violence Layer manager .py file to your computer.

Important

There is no public website, GitHub repository, or Blender Market listing for this tool yet. Access is restricted to the Discord community for early testing and workflow development. If you are not a member, please contact Fred directly to request an invitation. We’re friendly!

Prerequisites

  • Blender 5.1.2 or 5.2 LTE (required — other versions will cause compatibility issues)

  • A Grease Pencil object already created in your scene (typically provided by Fred with pre-set layers and keyframes)

  • A monitor tablet with pressure sensitivity is recommended but not required

  • Discord: To get access to the file for now, updates, and the community for help.

Advanced Prerequisites for a _blank_ file can be found in Troubleshooting & Known Issues. You’ll almost always have this set up for you in advance when working on AFIS.

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Installing the Addon

Step 1: Open Addons Preferences

  1. Launch Blender

  2. Go to Edit → Preferences

  3. Select the Add-ons tab

Step 2: Install the Script

  1. Click the Install… button (top-right)

  2. Navigate to where you downloaded fredlayermanager.py

  3. Select it and click Open

  4. Find the addon in the list (search: “Fred”)

  5. Enable the checkbox next to it

Step 3: Verify Installation

  • Open the Text Editor workspace

  • You should see fredlayermanager.py loaded

  • Check the System Console (Window → Toggle System Console) for any errors

Warning

The addon must be enabled every time Blender starts. While Blender saves addon preferences, some users report the addon needs re-enabling after updates.

Persistent timer issue: See Timer Doesn’t Initialize in Addon Mode if stroke mode switching doesn’t work automatically.

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Importing the Keymap

Crucial Step — The addon does NOT include keybinds by default. You must import Rex’s keymap manually.

Step 1: Locate the Keymap File

  • Download Rex’s Keybinds from the Discord #GreasePencil channel

  • Expected size: ~15 KB

Step 2: Import in Keymap Preferences

  1. In Preferences, switch to the Keymap tab

  2. Click the Import button (near the search bar)

  3. Select Rex’s Keybinds

  4. Click Import Keymap File

Step 3: Verify Keybinds Loaded

  1. Search for Rex’s Keybinds in the search bar

  2. Expand the entry — you should see multiple bindings (Shift+0–9, Ctrl+1–4, etc.)

  3. If nothing appears, the import failed

Step 4: Save Preferences

  • Click Save Preferences at the bottom-left of the Preferences window

Warning

If you close Blender without clicking “Save Preferences,” all keybind changes are lost. This is the #1 cause of “my keybinds stopped working” complaints.

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Verifying Your Setup

Test 1: Layer Switching

  1. Open any .blend file with a Grease Pencil object

  2. Select the GP object

  3. Press Shift+1 — you should instantly switch to Layer 1 and Draw Mode

  4. Press Shift+Alt+1 — you should switch to Fill Layer 1 and see a material popup

Test 2: Timer Auto-Switch

  1. Draw a stroke with a “LINE” material

  2. Switch to a material WITHOUT “LINE” in the name

  3. The brush should automatically change stroke type (Stroke → Fill → Both)

  4. If it doesn’t, see Timer Doesn’t Initialize in Addon Mode

Test 3: Modal Toggles

  1. In Draw Mode, press and hold A (Auto-Merge)

  2. Start drawing — strokes should snap together

  3. Release A while NOT drawing — toggle should turn off

  4. If toggle hangs, see Modal Toggles Getting “Stuck” (Auto-Merge, Draw Behind, Sculpt)

Test 4: Erase Keys

  1. Press E (tap once) — should switch to point eraser

  2. Press E (hold down) — should switch to stroke eraser

  3. Release — should remain on point eraser

  4. Tap E again — should cycle back to stroke eraser

Note

If you’re looking for the 1.0/4.1.1 Fred Panel, it is not yet implemented in v2.0. To verify the tool is running, press F3 and search for one of the tool’s operators (e.g., gpencil.draw_mode). If it appears in the search results, the tool is installed and active, or the above.

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Configuring Keybindings

For optimal workflow, we highly recommend configuring specific keyboard shortcuts. See Keyboard Shortcuts Reference for detailed setup instructions on:

  • Holding Alt to nudge lines while drawing (often referred to as ‘sculpt’ing lines)

  • Using F to change sculpt radius

  • Quick-switching between Draw, Erase, Sculpt, and Fill modes with single keys

  • Toggling “Fade Inactive Layers”

And everything else!

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Updating the Tool

When a new version of the script is released:

  1. Save any custom changes you made to the script first (if applicable).

  2. Close the old script in the Text Editor (Method 1) or remove the old add-on in Preferences (Method 2).

  3. Load the new .py file.

  4. Run the script or re-enable the add-on.

  5. Re-implement any changes you may have made.

Warning

Updating will overwrite any unsaved changes to the script file. Always save your modifications before updating.

If you receive an error, try changing the name to TheViolenceLayerManager.py.

Opening Your First File

Using the Practice File

The practice file (TheViolence_Practice_File_v2.blend) comes with:

  • All brushes pre-installed

  • Correct layer structure

  • Material slots configured

  • Test character ready to animate

Steps:

  1. Download the practice file from releases

  2. Open it in Blender

  3. Ensure addon is enabled (Edit → Preferences → Add-ons)

  4. If stroke mode auto-switching doesn’t work, see below

Timer Issue on File Load

Warning

If you switch materials but the stroke mode doesn’t auto-update (still draws fills when it should draw strokes), the background timer didn’t initialize.

Immediate fix:

  1. Open the Text Editor workspace

  2. Find fredlayermanager.py in the dropdown

  3. Click the ▶ Play button

The timer should now run, and material switching will work automatically.

This is a known bug. See Timer Doesn’t Initialize in Addon Mode for permanent workarounds and future fixes.

Creating a New File from Scratch

If you want to start fresh:

  1. Create a new Grease Pencil object

  2. Add layers following the naming pattern above

  3. Add materials in the correct slot order

  4. Assign the four required brushes

  5. Save the file as a template for future projects

Alternatively, start from the practice file and delete James’s layers to get a blank slate with everything configured.

See Troubleshooting & Known Issues for detailed instructions on what the Fred tool requires in a document.

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Saving Preferences

After completing the setup:

  1. Save Preferences in Add-ons tab

  2. Save Preferences in Keymap tab

  3. Save your .blend file with all brushes and materials

Create a Template (.blend file)

  1. With everything configured, go to File → Defaults → Save Startup File

  2. Or save as violence_tool_template.blend

  3. Future projects: File → New → General, then append the template

This eliminates the need to reinstall everything for each new animation project.

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Common Setup Problems

Addon installs but keybinds don’t work

  1. Keymap wasn’t imported (go back to Importing the Keymap)

  2. Preferences weren’t saved (click “Save Preferences” button)

  3. GP object isn’t selected (keybinds require active GP object)

All keybinds switch to Layer 1

  1. Keymap properties didn’t resolve on startup

  2. Go to Edit → Preferences → Keymap

  3. Find the layer switch entries

  4. Check that layer_filter values are correct (e.g., “01L”, “02L”, etc.)

  5. If they’re all “01L”, delete and re-import the keymap

Material menu opens but is empty

  1. No materials assigned to the GP object

  2. Add material slots via the Material Properties panel (green sphere icon)

  3. Assign brushes to each material slot

Cursor location matters

Some keybinds require the mouse to be in the 3D Viewport. If a key does nothing:

  1. Move your cursor into the 3D Viewport

  2. Try the key again

What if I want to use this for my own project?

This is welcome, but could involve some organization that might be unique to your project, depending on your style. Here’s what we recommend to start:

  1. Practice with the provided scene files using the default setup for AFIS to get an idea of how the system works

  2. Play around and find your personal workflow

  3. Consider sharing with us what you discovered!

Note

As the community grows, we hope to share your invented workflows, keybinds, and guides.

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Setup Next Steps

Once setup is complete:

  1. Review the Keyboard Shortcuts Reference reference for all shortcuts

  2. See Blender Basics for Animators if you are new to Blender in general. Be sure to watch the linked videos!

  3. Read AFIS Workflow Guide for daily workflow and how to practice with the provided scene file.

  4. Keep Troubleshooting & Known Issues handy for common issues