Export all Shape Keys from Blender to OBJ files

export-all-shape-keys.py

# Export all Shape Keys as OBJs in Blender
# Version 1.0 - August 2017
# =========================================
# Original Script by Tlousky
# https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/86674/how-to-batch-export-shapekeys-as-obj-from-the-active-object/86678#86678
# with small tweaks by Jay Versluis 
# https://www.versluis.com

import bpy
from os.path import join

# Reference the active object
o = bpy.context.active_object 

# CHANGE THIS to the folder you want to save your OBJ files in
# NOTE: no spaces, no trailing slash
exportPath = "/Users/you/somewhere" 

# Reset all shape keys to 0 (skipping the Basis shape on index 0
for skblock in o.data.shape_keys.key_blocks[1:]:
    skblock.value = 0

# Iterate over shape key blocks and save each as an OBJ file
for skblock in o.data.shape_keys.key_blocks[1:]:
    skblock.value = 1.0  # Set shape key value to max

    # Set OBJ file path and Export OBJ
    objFileName = skblock.name + ".obj" # File name = shapekey name
    objPath = join( exportPath, objFileName )
    bpy.ops.export_scene.obj( filepath = objPath, use_selection = True, global_scale = 1 )

    skblock.value = 0 # Reset shape key value to 0

# THE END

Hello man,I need to do the opposite operation : I need to merge multiple OBJ files into one OBJ file with shape keys. It seems that this add-on make the job : https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/58147/merging-multiple-obj-files-into-one-file-with-shape-keys ; but anyway,it does not work well,as you can see here : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1do2ZSDLPF1M2byxcC81MKbMJPD7hN-x0 ; so,do you want to fix it ? thanks...

Hello man,I need to do the opposite operation : I need to merge multiple OBJ files into one OBJ file with shape keys. It seems that this add-on make the job : https://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/58147/merging-multiple-obj-files-into-one-file-with-shape-keys ; but anyway,it does not work well,as you can see here : https://drive.google.com/open?id=1do2ZSDLPF1M2byxcC81MKbMJPD7hN-x0 ; so,do you want to fix it ? thanks...

OBJ does not support blendshapes/shapekeys so there's no way to do that.

Great! This code still works even in blender 3.0. Awesome.

If anybody found the output OBJs are the same as basis model, you can change bpy.ops.export_scene.obj( filepath = objPath, use_selection = True, global_scale = 1 ) to bpy.ops.wm.obj_export(filepath = objPath,export_selected_objects=True,export_uv=True,scaling_factor=1.0,apply_modifiers=True,export_materials=False).

Still good to go on Blender 3.3.2

Hi, I tried both versions of the code listed above but the exported objs are still the same as the basis model. I'm currently using Blender 3.3.4. Is there an update to work with this version? Thank you in advance for any info anyone can provide.

Its showing bpy.ops.export_scene.obj error while exporting shapekeys

bpy.ops.wm.obj_export(filepath = objPath,export_selected_objects=True,export_uv=True,scaling_factor=1.0,apply_modifiers=True,export_materials=False)

Thanks! It works. I mean, I get the basic things working. Need to test this with complex UV Maps.

In 4.2.2 I had to change the expression for scaling back to global_scale:
bpy.ops.wm.obj_export(filepath = objPath,export_selected_objects=True,export_uv=True,global_scale=1.0,apply_modifiers=True,export_materials=False)

In case anyone was looking for a fix for 4.5:

import bpy
import os

# ——— CONFIGURE THIS ———
export_dir = r""
# ——————————————————————

# 1) Validate export directory
if not os.path.isdir(export_dir):
    raise RuntimeError(f"Export directory not found: {export_dir}")

# 2) Get and validate the active mesh object
obj = bpy.context.active_object
if not obj or obj.type != 'MESH':
    raise RuntimeError("Please select an active mesh object with Shape Keys.")

keys = obj.data.shape_keys
if not keys or len(keys.key_blocks) < 2:
    raise RuntimeError("Mesh has no Shape Keys to export.")

# 3) Ensure we're in Object Mode and the mesh is selected
if bpy.ops.object.mode_set.poll():
    bpy.ops.object.mode_set(mode='OBJECT')
bpy.ops.object.select_all(action='DESELECT')
obj.select_set(True)
bpy.context.view_layer.objects.active = obj

# 4) Reset all Shape Keys (skip the Basis at index 0)
for sk in keys.key_blocks[1:]:
    sk.value = 0.0

# 5) Export each Shape Key as its own OBJ
for sk in keys.key_blocks[1:]:
    sk.value = 1.0
    # Force the dependency graph to update mesh data
    bpy.context.view_layer.update()
    
    # Build the export path
    filename = f"{sk.name}.obj"
    filepath = os.path.join(export_dir, filename)
    
    # Export using the new OBJ operator in Blender 4.x
    bpy.ops.wm.obj_export(
        filepath=filepath,
        export_selected_objects=True,
        export_uv=True,
        apply_modifiers=True,
        export_materials=False
    )
    print(f"✅ Exported Shape Key '{sk.name}' → {filepath}")
    
    # Reset this Shape Key
    sk.value = 0.0

print("All Shape Keys have been exported.")