Dreamsteep

If you find that Blender's File Import or Export menu items only show a few "import" or "export" options, it likely means Blender doesn't have a valid file path that tells it where to locate the Python scripts that include file translators. This sometimes happens when you update Blender and use the default Python scripts path in the Windows version of the Blender installer.

This is what Blender's Import and Export menu items look like when it can't find the Python file translator scripts:

Fortunately, this is an easy problem to fix. Essentially, you need to give Blender a valid file path to the Python scripts it uses to import and export various file formats.

Accessing or Setting the Blender Script Path in Microsoft Windows:

1) The first thing you need to do is access Blender's User Preferences. The User Preferences are tucked away under the window header in the default screen layout. To access the User Preferences, move the cursor so it is between the header of the window, and the canvas "body" of the window. The cursor will turn into a vertically oriented double-ended arrow when you roll over that area.

2) LMB (Left Mouse Button) click and drag downward until all of the User Preferences are revealed.

3) Locate the Script Path item that is visible after you click the "File Paths" button in the "User Preferences".

4) Click on the folder icon in the "scripts" path specifier to choose a path where Blender should look for Python scripts.

5) In Windows, Blender's default Python scripts path should be:

C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\.blender\scripts

or

C:\Documents and Settings\USER NAME\Application Data\Blender Foundation\Blender\.blender\scripts\

Note: The first example above used to be Blender's default Python scripts path, but in more recent versions you can now choose the default script path from among several options in the installer. The second script path listing above is now the default scripts location, if you choose the default setting when you install Blender. Note also that in the second example above you should substitute your actual "user name" for "USER NAME". It's easy to figure out your user name, as it will be the name you use with your Windows login, and it will show up as you navigate your way to the final valid Python scripts path from the "Documents and Settings" directory.

Navigate to the correct path through Blender's file selector, or type in the correct path, then click the "Select Script Path" button to set the path.

Note: If you can't see the folder named Application Data in Windows Explorer you will need to change your folder viewing preferences. To do this:

1) Open a folder (directory) on your computer so you can see its contents listed.

2) Click the Tools menu and select Folder Options...

3) Click the View tab.

4) Within the Advanced Settings listing you should see an item for Hidden files and folders. Choose the Show hidden files and folders option.

5) Click OK.

You should now be able to see files and folders that were previously hidden from view. Now when you go to step 5 above you will have an easier time locating the Application Data folder.

Once you have set the above script path you're done. If you think you will need to add more scripts to Blender's script folder it might be worth making a shortcut to the scripts folder and putting it in an easy to locate place such as your Desktop folder.

When you go to File -> Import or Export you should see all of Blender's file IO options. Blender's default file import translators are shown below:

Accessing or Setting the Blender Script Path in OS X:

Occasionally, you may need to add Python scripts to Blender, for example, when installing Yafray or LuxRender. By default, OS X hides certain files from view to make things more neat and less cluttered. However, lurking beneath that charming Aqua display are lots of hidden files that you normally wouldn't care anything about. For example, files named ".DS_Store" which keep track of OS details such as the positions of icons, windows, view style, etc. In order to see the default folder where Blender keeps Python scripts you will need to make all files visible in the Finder. There are a number of ways to do this that include using the terminal to make files visible, or downloading scripts or utilities to do it. These methods are described below.

Method 1 - Using the Terminal

1) If you haven't used the terminal before click SHIFT + COMMAND + U to view your "Utilities" folder. Inside it you will find an application called "Terminal". Open it.

Note: Make sure you don't have any files being copied in the background, as we will be forcing the Finder to quit, then restart. When the Finder does this your Desktop will be blank until the Finder restarts.

2) In the terminal, type:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder

This makes all files visible, so don't be surprised if you see icons with strange names show up. Once this is done you will be able to see all files that are on the computer, including the hidden Blender scripts. You may also want to keep your terminal window available, as we will be doing the inverse of the above after you are finished with the scripts directory.

3) Next, we need to navigate to the hidden files resources in Blender. To show the package contents of the blender.app, Right-Click the Blender application icon, and choose "Show Package Contents". From there open Contents -> MacOS -> .blender -> scripts. This is where Blender's Python scripts are stored, by default.

You can now add, edit, or delete any Python scripts you need to. When you are finished, type the following into the terminal:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder

Everything should now be back to "normal".

Method 2 - Using a Script or Utility

This method is the easiest. Just download one of the following to toggle making all files visible in the Finder.

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/15585/show%5Chide-files

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/developer/hiddenfiles.html