opticore_as_obj_props.py

from bpy.types import PropertyGroup
from bpy.props import PointerProperty

def add_lens(obj):
    """ opticore is an instance of the OptiCoreProps PropertyGroup """
    opticore = obj.opticore
    rad = opticore.rad
    ...

    # Replace mesh
    ...

    # Set material
    if obj.material_slots:
        obj.material_slots[obj.active_material_index].material = opticore.material
    else:
        obj.data.materials.append(opticore.material)

class OBJECT_OT_add_lens(Operator, AddObjectHelper):
    """Create a new Mesh Object"""
    bl_idname = "mesh.add_lens"
    bl_label = "Add Mesh Object"
    bl_options = {'REGISTER', 'UNDO'}

    def execute(self, context):
        if not obj:
            # Create object (without mesh)
            obj = ...
        # Mark as lens, so in the future our custom panel is displayed on this object
        obj.opticore.is_lens = True
        # Generate the mesh
        add_lens(obj)
        return {'FINISHED'}

class OPTICORE_OT_apply_lens(Operator):
    bl_idname = "opticore.apply_lens"
    bl_label = "Apply"
    bl_options = {'REGISTER', 'UNDO'}

    def execute(self, context):
        obj = context.object
        mesh = obj.data

        # Delete mesh vertices and re-create them
        add_lens(obj)

        return {'FINISHED'}

class OptiCoreProps(PropertyGroup):
    rad = FloatProperty(
           name="Surface 1 Radius",
           default = 12.,
           description="Radius of Curvature of Mirror Surface",
           )
    ...

    material = PointerProperty(type=bpy.types.Material)
    is_lens = BoolProperty()  # Not visible in UI

class OptiCorePanel(bpy.types.Panel):
    bl_label = "Opticore Settings"
    bl_context = "object"
    
    @classmethod
    def poll(cls, context):
        # Check if it's a lens object
        return context.object and not context.object.library and context.object.opticore.is_lens

    def draw(self, context):
        layout = self.layout
        opticore = context.object.opticore

        layout.prop(opticore, "rad")
        ...
        # Don't need prop_search because we can now use a PointerProperty
        layout.prop(opticore, "material")

        # Apply button
        layout.operator("opticore.apply_lens")


def register():
    bpy.utils.register_class(OptiCoreProps)
    bpy.utils.register_class(OptiCorePanel)
    bpy.types.Object.opticore = PointerProperty(type=OptiCoreProps)