Add shelf and button to open Tinyblast Options window and update README

README.md

@@ -28,12 +28,7 @@ Tinyblast is a custom playblast tool for Maya, designed to offer more flexible c
 3. Access the Playblast Options window in Maya.
 
 ## How to Use
-Currently, there is no menu button to open Tinyblast. You will need to run the following command in Maya's script editor:
+The plugin creates a custom shelf called Tinyblast in Maya with a button that opens the Tinyblast Options window where you can choose settings and create a playblast. Use Tinyblast as you would the regular Maya playblast.
-
-```python
-import maya.cmds as cmds
-cmds.openTinyblastOptions()
-```
 
 ## Future Plans
 - Further improvements to format and codec compatibility.

tinyblast.py

@@ -448,6 +448,23 @@ class OpenTinyblastOptions(ompx.MPxCommand):
 def cmdCreator():
     return ompx.asMPxPtr(OpenTinyblastOptions())
 
+def create_custom_shelf():
+    # Check if the shelf already exists
+    shelf_name = "Tinyblast"
+    if cmds.shelfLayout(shelf_name, exists=True):
+        cmds.deleteUI(shelf_name)  # Delete the existing shelf (if you want to reset it)
+
+    # Create a new shelf
+    cmds.shelfLayout(shelf_name, parent="ShelfLayout")
+
+    # Add a button to the shelf (this will call your UI function)
+    cmds.shelfButton(
+        label="Tinyblast",
+        annotation="Open Tinyblast UI",  # Tooltip text
+        image="pythonFamily.png",  # You can replace this with any icon you want
+        command="cmds.openTinyblastOptions()"  # Command to open your UI
+    )
+
 def initializePlugin(mobject):
     global tinyblast_instance
     tinyblast_instance = Tinyblast()
@@ -460,6 +477,7 @@ def initializePlugin(mobject):
     except Exception as e:
         om.MGlobal.displayError(f"Failed to initialize plugin: {str(e)}")
         raise
+    create_custom_shelf()
 
 def uninitializePlugin(mobject):
     try: