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RNA Override

Sets any Blender property on an object using its RNA data path. This is the power-user escape hatch for properties not covered by the dedicated override nodes.

Inputs / Outputs

Socket Description
Object Override (in) The object to modify
Object Override (out) The same object with this override added

Properties

Path — the RNA data path relative to the object root. Examples:

Path Effect
hide_render Toggles render visibility
pass_index Sets the object's pass index
color Sets the object's viewport/wire color
data.energy Sets a light's energy
data.shadow_soft_size Sets a light's shadow radius
cycles.use_deformation_motion_blur Enables motion blur deformation (Cycles)
modifiers["Subdiv"].levels Sets a modifier's subdivision level

Value — the value to assign, entered as a Python literal:

  • Numbers: 1, 3.14, -0.5
  • Booleans: True, False
  • Tuples (for vector/color properties): (1.0, 0.5, 0.0, 1.0)
  • Strings: "my_value" (with quotes)

If the value cannot be parsed, an error is shown in the node and the override is skipped.

Silent failures

If the data path is wrong, the override fails silently — no error is shown at render time. Test paths in Blender's Python console before using them:

obj = bpy.context.object
print(obj.path_from_id())  # shows the path to a property

Power user note

RNA Override can access nearly any property in Blender's data model, including engine-specific settings like obj.cycles.use_deformation_motion_blur. With this flexibility comes responsibility — always verify the path and value type are correct for your Blender version.