SIMPLE N-PANEL Add-on for Blender

Author: Chipp Walters
Blender Minimum Version: 4.2.0
Category: User Interface
Doc URL: http://cw1.me/simple-n-panel-docs

The new addon by Chipp Walters, Simple N panel, is the answer to a frustration that I have had about Blender for a long time. This makes a crowded N panel usable. Amazing!
– Frank Maturi

Update: 10/31/2025 v1.1.18 Added Shift+click on Heart button to show/hide N-Panel

Overview

Tired of scrolling through dozens of N-Panel tabs in Blender?
Simple N-Panel puts every N-Panel tab—built-in or from add-ons—into a single, fast, searchable menu. Click the ♥ heart icon in the 3D Viewport header, pick your add-on, and instantly jump to its tab! No more endless scrolling, tiny labels, or tab clutter.

Features

  • Unified N-Panel Menu: Quickly access any N-Panel tab from a pop-up menu.

  • Reorderable List: Customize the order of add-ons in the menu.

  • Show/Hide Add-ons: Choose which tabs appear in the menu.

  • Fast Access: Press Shift + ` (tilde) in the 3D View to call the menu instantly.

  • Custom Icon: Easy-to-spot ♥ icon in the 3D Viewport header.

  • Preferences UI: Edit, reorder, or remove panels from the menu via Add-on Preferences.

  • Compatible with Built-in and Add-on Tabs: Works with any N-Panel tab that uses Blender’s standard system.

  • Blender 4.2+ Required: Uses features and APIs introduced in Blender 4.2.

  • Exports and Imports Settings: Intelligently resolves any conflicts.

Installation

We recommend you drag drop the zip file onto the Blender viewport to install. Or else:

  1. Download the add-on files.

  2. In Blender, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.

  3. Click Install… and select the ZIP or folder.

  4. Enable SIMPLE N-PANEL in the add-on list.

  5. (Optional) Click the Preferences button for configuration options.

How to Use

1. Open the Simple N-Panel Menu

  • Click the ♥ Heart Icon in the 3D Viewport header.

  • Or, press Shift + ` (tilde) in the 3D Viewport.

2. Jump to Any Tab

  • The pop-up menu lists all N-Panel tabs (add-ons and built-in).

  • Click an entry to instantly activate that tab in the N-Panel.

Prefs

  1. Documentation
  2. Refresh Panel List: Keeps existing order and custom labels. Removes addons no longer used. Adds newly enabled addons at bottom of list.
  3. Reset Panel List: Clears all settings and re-populates the panel list from scratch.
  4. Exports settings to JSON file
  5. Imports settings from previously saved JSON file
  6. Turn on/off visibility of addon in menu.
  7. Copy tab label to custom label field.
  8. Custom label field for customizing an addon’s name.
  9. The name of the addon as seen in the Add-ons list.
  10. Move to top, Move Up, Move Down
  11. Delete addon from menu entirely. (Does not delete or turn off addon)

Shortcuts

  • Shift + ` (tilde) in the 3D Viewport: Opens the Simple N-Panel menu. You can change this in the Preferences > Key Map area.

Tips

  • If you install a new add-on with an N-Panel tab, hit Refresh Panel List in preferences to add it to your menu.

  • Remember to export and import you addons.

  • If a tab doesn’t appear or has moved, refreshing the list usually solves it.

  • You can disable certain add-ons from appearing in the menu via Preferences.

Troubleshooting

  • Menu Not Showing Up?

    • Ensure you are using Blender 4.2 or later.

    • Make sure the add-on is enabled and preferences are saved.

    • Try refreshing the addon in Prefs

  • Shift + ` Shortcut Doesn’t Work?

    • Another add-on might be using this shortcut. You can manually re-assign it in Blender’s keymap preferences.

  • Tab Switch Fails?

    • Some third-party tab managers can interfere. Try refreshing the panel list or disabling conflicting add-ons.

  • Missing Icon?

    • The add-on looks for a custom_icon.png in its icons folder. If it is missing, it shows a fallback icon.

  • Error first time using the menu, but works every time afterwards

    • Some users have reported this and it is probably a timing issue. Blender is trying to open the N-panel and then select a tab and the panel is not fully opened when trying to select the tab. May happen on slower machines. To fix, just make sure the N-panel is open on startup (save your startup file with it open) OR manually open the N-panel (‘n’ key) the first time.

Uninstallation

  1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.

  2. Disable SIMPLE N-PANEL.

  3. Click Remove to uninstall.