todays Bonsai (5/13) corrupt - or just for me ?

zoomerzoomer
edited May 13 in General

Updated today's Bonsai Mai 13 and when I tried to open (any) IFC, I just get :

Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/Users/user/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/bonsai/bim/module/search/ui.py", line 40, in draw
bonsai.bim.helper.draw_filter(self.layout, props.filter_groups, SearchData, "search")
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'helper'

I tried Blender 4.4.3 official and 4.5 Alpha.

Where can I get my attribute "helper" back :) ?
Am I the only one ?

Is it because I am also a Speckle Connector (or a Mac) user ?
(I am also no more able to "activate" any Speckle AddOns since 1-2 weeks. "Can't automatically detect Speckle dependencies. Try to restart Blender x.x" or similar. I also booted the PC and was able to install Speckle v3.1 Beta - which does not offer its Speckle Tab in "N-Panel". Not 100% sure if I also tried to open an IFC which also failed ?)

Comments

  • zoomerzoomer

    Hmmmhhhh

    Same result with todays 5/14 ...... Bonsai still missing its "Attribute Helper"
    But from the amount of responses it looks quite that the problem is on my side only .....
    Still no clue what went wrong here. Will be waiting a few days/releases before I clean my Blender Settings ....

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 14

    WTH !

    deactivating Bonsai (latest Extension from Github) .... in Blender Settings "AddOns",
    restart Blender and reactivating Bonsai from "AddOns" ....
    helped for Blender 4.4 and 4.5 .... both are opening IFC files again .......

    (BTW, even those crappy Vectorworks IFC "4.3" exports seem to come in (reasonably ? have to check that) !?)

    (Does not help for the Speckle v3 Beta AddOn (manually copied Folder over from Windows ... ) though ....)

    Makes me happy anyway .....

  • zoomerzoomer

    Strange .... I had to do the exact same de/activation of Bonsai AddOn today again.

    Before I did, any attempt to open an IFC faild with the same warning as in the initial post.
    On Mac and PC !

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 19

    Indeed, I have to do that after any start of Blender - or because of Bonsai Updates ?
    (to make it work again : deactivate Bonsai, close and reopen Blender, reactivate Bonsai)

    Usually, I open Blender 4.4 official and 4.5 Alpha.
    I go to settings, Extensions, update to latest Bonsai Build, close both Blenders.
    When I reopen Blenders and try to open an IFC I will get the :

    Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "/Users/user/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/bonsai/bim/module/search/ui.py", line 40, in draw
    bonsai.bim.helper.draw_filter(self.layout, props.filter_groups, SearchData, "search")
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'helper'

    What can it be ?

    • another AddOn conflicting
    • corrupt Blender Settings
    • my custom Blender startup scene
  • zoomerzoomer

    I still have these problems.

    Uninstalling and cleaning everything (!) Bonsai AND Speckle AddOns and installing Speckle first (!) made at least Speckle work again. Looked so for Bonsai at first too but I still have the same problems after also installing Bonsai from scratch. After a Blender restart I cannot open an IFC File. I just get an error message. I can deactivate Bonsai AddOn, restart Blender and activate Bonsai again and it will oad IFCs - but just for that session. Once closed and restarted I have to repeat the Bonsai deactivation/restart procedure again.

    Somehow I think that at one point Blender and Speckle AddOns do no more work nicely beside each other. Probably it is also related to my Photographer AddOn. At least these are the only 3 AddOns I regularly upgrade and the problems for Bonsai and Speckle started at the same time some weeks ago and now Photographer also feels a bit strange ....

    I have no experience with Blender's Settings can get corrupt (like Modo's could) OR if my custom Startup File could get corrupt (I put so much work, content and setup into this !) OR if it is just AddOns negatively influencing each others .....
    But it is frustrating.

  • theoryshawtheoryshaw

    How about the following? No I didn't use AI, i took my time to write out the following and format it thus. ;)

    You're not alone, and your detailed notes are extremely helpful. Here's a breakdown of what's likely happening with Bonsai, Speckle, and potentially Photographer in your Blender setup (Mac and PC):

    🧩 Root Cause Analysis

    ❌ AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'helper'

    This error suggests:

    • The Bonsai addon is referencing a module (bonsai.bim.helper) that no longer exists, was renamed, or is not being loaded properly.

    Most likely cause:

    • Bonsai was updated, but Blender is still using a cached version of the old code structure (especially common when using .local or extension-based installs).

    • Blender's __pycache__ or the extension's internal state can get out of sync with updates.

    • This is especially problematic with auto-updating Extensions in Blender 4.5.

    🔁 Why Does Deactivate / Reactivate Fix It?

    When you deactivate and then reactivate Bonsai:

    • Blender reloads the extension modules, clearing the stale references.

    • But the fix is temporary, because on the next launch, Blender likely restores the cached state again.

    🧪 Conflicts with Other Addons (Speckle / Photographer)

    You're likely seeing shared symptoms, but different root causes:

    • Speckle: It tries to auto-detect dependencies. If blenderproc or similar dependencies are shared across add-ons and are in different versions, they may conflict.

    • Photographer: May conflict with UI updates or camera handlers if loaded before Bonsai or Speckle.

    🧼 Fix Strategy (Recommended Clean Reset, Non-Destructive)

    1. Backup your custom startup file:

      • File > Defaults > Save Startup File

      • Or export your scene to .blend.

    2. Delete all cached Bonsai/Speckle files manually:
      On macOS:

      swift

      CopyEdit

      ~/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/bonsai ~/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/speckle

      On Windows:

      vbnet

      CopyEdit

      C:\Users\<yourname>\AppData\Roaming\Blender Foundation\Blender\4.5\extensions\.local\lib\python3.11\site-packages

    3. Clear pycache folders (these can persist across sessions):

      • Search and delete all __pycache__ folders inside the Bonsai and Speckle extension directories.

    4. Reinstall Bonsai and Speckle from scratch:

      • Start with Speckle, test.

      • Then install Bonsai, test again.

    5. Avoid Updating Bonsai/Speckle via Extension UI (for now):

      • Prefer reinstalling manually until the caching issue is resolved upstream.

    6. Avoid running both simultaneously while troubleshooting:

      • Only enable one at a time, see if error persists.

    💡 Tips

    • Try launching Blender from the terminal (blender --factory-startup) to rule out your startup file as a cause.

    • Temporarily disable all custom startup scripts or scene objects to check if one is interfering.

    • Use Blender’s new Extensions system carefully — it doesn’t always reload Python modules cleanly, unlike traditional AddOns.

    🧭 Bottom Line

    The recurring Bonsai error is almost certainly due to module caching issues after updates, and possibly exacerbated by conflicts or UI state corruption introduced by other active AddOns.

    If you’d like, I can help you write a script to automatically clear Bonsai’s cache or reinitialize it on startup to avoid having to manually deactivate/reactivate it every time.

    Let me know if you'd like help with that or want to file a GitHub issue to let the Bonsai devs know.

    zoomer
  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 23

    Wow !
    Thank you very much for chiming in. Now I am very impressed.
    What you said makes all sense. I am a bit overwhelmed for now by your detailed insights.
    You gave so much information, I have to re-read and understand that all tomorrow again.

    Backup your custom startup file

    I'am still not sure what unexpected "Settings" the Startup File contains. I read that it will save which AddOns are activated. Doesn't look for me so
    (e.g. deactivate Bonsai, restart, update Startup File, restart, activate Bonsai, restart > next restart Bonsai is still activated ...)
    But yes I will backup my Startup File.

    BTW,
    my Startup contains daylight setup with sun and sky texture, a few basic Materials and dummy geometry. With today's Blender 4.5, while trying to fix AddOn issues, my Viewport at one point switched to b/w only !? (While 4.4.3 is still ok/colored) So maybe it is more corrupt on all sides, Startup. Settings, Caches, Blender Alpha, .....

    I will search for the caches.
    (As a mere Mac user, I had some feeling in that direction, but of course I had no clue of what caches/files I can/should delete)

    Let me know if you'd like help with that or want to file a GitHub issue to let the Bonsai devs know.

    That would be great as I have no Account and am a bit intimidated by GitHub ....

  • theoryshawtheoryshaw

    Btw, that was sarcasm, it was chatgpt. :)
    So take it with grain of salt.

    NigelsteverugiMassimozoomer
  • zoomerzoomer

    For those of you out there for which Python means more than just a snake,
    is it generally save to delete any kind of

    pycache folders inside AddOns or Extensions ?

    I always wondered why these exist in nearly any subfolder ....

  • theoryshawtheoryshaw

    I know i'm taking all the fun away from the question, but i'm learning too, from these responses. :)

    🐍 Is It Safe to Delete __pycache__ Folders in Blender AddOns?

    ✅ Short Answer

    Yes, it is safe to delete any __pycache__ folders inside Blender AddOns or Extensions.

    🧠 Why Do These Exist?

    Python automatically compiles .py files into .pyc files to speed up loading. These compiled files are stored in __pycache__ folders.

    • ✅ Purpose: Improves startup/runtime performance.
    • ❌ Problem: Sometimes they get out of sync after AddOn updates.

    If Blender or an AddOn acts up after an update, stale .pyc files in __pycache__ may cause:

    • AttributeErrors (like the missing helper)
    • UI draw issues
    • AddOn load failures

    🧹 When Should I Delete Them?

    You can safely delete all __pycache__ folders when:

    • You've updated an AddOn manually.
    • You're troubleshooting an AddOn that worked before.
    • You're switching between Blender versions (e.g. 4.4 ↔ 4.5).
    • You're seeing strange errors despite valid Python code.

    🔄 What Happens After Deletion?

    • Python will automatically recreate the __pycache__ folders next time the AddOn is used.
    • There's no data loss — only regenerated performance files.

    🛠 How to Delete Them

    On macOS or Linux:

    ```bash
    find . -name "pycache" -type d -exec rm -r {} +

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 24

    Your electronic friend makes some quite good job in make us feel him being trustworthy.
    But he profited from your own trust level. So I missed the irony smiley completely, just wondered a bit by your new comic sans style post formating, but thought it may help though :)

    OK, I will delete all my pycaches ... and keep from all that clean AddOn installing for now.
    Either that helps immediately or your friend has just a manipulating gloating character. In that case it might be worth to do clean installations :)
    I think it is likely that it works, as everything sounds so logically.

    Just a little doubt as I already did that un/re-install, which should also clean those pycaches, already yesterday and somehow it did not last/help after restarting Blender. But it still works for Speckle - which is a classic AddOn. Same as all paid AddOns like Photographer - but which had, at least, a temporary hiccup nevertheless ..... So maybe uninstalling "Extensions" also does not really care about cleaning up pycaches .... I'll see .....

  • zoomerzoomer

    Unfortunately - deleting all related pycaches did not change anything !?

    I'll try to hide my custom startup files .....

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 24

    I'll try to hide my custom startup files .....

    Ooops - doesn't help either

    WTH ?
    Could it just be the latest macOS 15.5 update ?
    (that AFAIK also came around the time these problems started)

    Now I am running out of ideas ..... (again)

    Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "/Users/user/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.4/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-> packages/bonsai/bim/module/search/ui.py", line 40, in draw
    bonsai.bim.helper.draw_filter(self.layout, props.filter_groups, SearchData, "search")
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'helper'

  • zoomerzoomer

    4.5 Alpha (caches not yet deleted) behaves exactly the same.

    Now I loaded today's 4.5 and I am happy that my 3D view is again colored and no more b/w as with yesterday build - great !

    Now I will also delete its pycaches ....

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 24

    Deleted really (nearly ?) any pycaches in Extensions and Addons and whatever (Blender Startup time more like 20+ seconds)

    No chance ....

    WTH

    Is anybody lese on Mac, latest macOS ?

  • zoomerzoomer

    I really do not get it !
    I tried on Windows 4.4.3 too.
    Doesn't work either !?

    Deleted all Blender's pycaches - nothing
    Hided my startup.blend - nothing
    Hided my userpref.blend -> could open an IFC - hooray !?

    But as soon as I edited blank preferences for something like Temp Folder, turntable rotation, .... (and likely by also activating a few (!) AddOns ....) -> Bonsai failed again !?

  • zoomerzoomer

    When I deactivate Speckle AddOn and delete all Caches .... I can open an IFC.
    But when I close and re-open Blender I can't again nevertheless ....

    As long as Bonsai is activated ... I can't activate Speckle ...
    If I deactivate Bonsai and re-start Blender - I can activate Speckle AddOn !?

    Photographer does not seem to have any influence. And I can reactivate it again at any time, no matter which Speckle or Bonsai activated or not.

    Am I really the only one with such issues ?

  • zoomerzoomer

    Btw, that was sarcasm, it was chatgpt. :)
    So take it with grain of salt.

    For now I have to think your electronic friend Chad is not omniscent ...

  • zoomerzoomer
    edited May 28

    Well, after endless testing I have to think ......

    ChatGPD is halluzinating or exactly telling something we want to hear, perfectly arranged from/by the Info that was put in it....

    From A Speckle Blender Connector AddOn point of view....
    that the whole problem is related to Speckle and Bonsai are not compatible and interfering !

    As long as no Bonsai Extension is "activated", Speckle behaves totally normal, like alle the other 50-100 AddOns and Extensions I have activated. But as soon as I activate any! Bonsai - Speckle van't neither "activate" nor work/stream a file.
    And as far as I tested, this is not related to :

    • Blender version, 4.4 official vs 4.5 alpha

    • Bonsai version, 0.8.2 official vs 0.8.3 daily
      (beside that loading an IFC with 0.8.2 official in Blender 4.5 alpha seems to not work/freeze Blender)

    • Speckle AddOn version V2 deprecated vs V3 beta 2

    • any other of my, now feels like 5000 AddOns and Extensions
    • my custom Blender Start File
    • (and likely my Blender Settings ..... )
      ... and clearing ANY __pycache__s doesn't help in any way either !

    Unfortunately it isn't that easy from the Bonsai side of view.
    If Both Speckle and Bonsai are activated - none of them works! AND Blender feels unexpectedly unstable, sometimes crashing or freezing.

    But unfortunately, even when Speckle is deactivated, activating Bonsai works - but still for the Blender Session only !?

    But I did not yet try Bonsai with cleanly uninstalled Speckle AddOn ! (As it is currently so tedious to install Speckle Connector on Mac in a controlled way)
    Or in a Clean Blender Install/Setting. (I may do so, without migrating my holy Settings, only when there is finally a new version, like Blender 5.0 being released ?)

  • zoomerzoomer

    BTW,

    If there is anyone outside there, beside me - that uses Bonsai together with Speckle - and that works - please chime in !

  • theoryshawtheoryshaw

    ping @jsdbroughton. Any ideas?

    zoomer
  • zoomerzoomer

    the whole problem is related to Speckle and Bonsai are not compatible and interfering !

    Well, not true.

    After some attempts with a clean installation of Blender I was able to have Speckle and Bonsai working nicely beside each other. I hope this is not only a temporary experience.

    Then I tested to add some of the larger AddOns/Extensions one by one - until I even have nearly all previous AddOns running.
    That was latest Blender 4.4 official, Bonsai 0.8.3 daily build and Speckle V3 Beta 2.
    Now I have again a working Bonsai Extension, which is great.

    So I thought I could achieve the same for my Blender 4.5 Alpha too.
    I also moved my whole 4.5 Blender Settings Folders away in a Backup Folder.
    When starting Blender I opted to migrate the now clean (?) 4.4 Settings.
    But unfortunately, Bonsai on 4.5 is still only working temporarily for one Blender session. After a Blender restart I'll get again :

    Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/bonsai/bim/module/project/operator.py", line 1063, in execute
    bonsai.bim.schema.reload(self.file.schema_identifier)
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'schema'

    and/or :

    Python: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/4.5/extensions/.local/lib/python3.11/site-packages/bonsai/bim/module/search/ui.py", line 40, in draw
    bonsai.bim.helper.draw_filter(self.layout, props.filter_groups, SearchData, "search")
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    AttributeError: module 'bonsai.bim' has no attribute 'helper'

    So I still do not know what exactly the problem is or how I could avoid it.

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