When working with Blender’s Python scripting UI, you may come across the need to refresh the outliner header when a different context is selected. In this article, we will explore three different ways to achieve this.

Option 1: Using bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer

The first option involves using the bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer operator to refresh the outliner header. This operator triggers a redraw of the Blender UI, updating any changes made to the header.

import bpy

def refresh_outliner_header():
    bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer(type='DRAW_WIN_SWAP', iterations=1)

To use this option, simply call the refresh_outliner_header() function whenever you need to refresh the outliner header.

Option 2: Using bpy.context.area.tag_redraw()

The second option involves using the bpy.context.area.tag_redraw() method to tag the current area for redraw. This method marks the area as needing a redraw, which will update the outliner header.

import bpy

def refresh_outliner_header():
    bpy.context.area.tag_redraw()

Similar to option 1, you can call the refresh_outliner_header() function whenever you want to refresh the outliner header.

Option 3: Using bpy.ops.outliner.show_hierarchy()

The third option involves using the bpy.ops.outliner.show_hierarchy() operator to toggle the outliner hierarchy display. This operator triggers a redraw of the outliner header, updating it with the current context.

import bpy

def refresh_outliner_header():
    bpy.ops.outliner.show_hierarchy()

Again, you can use the refresh_outliner_header() function to refresh the outliner header whenever needed.

After exploring these three options, it is clear that option 1, using bpy.ops.wm.redraw_timer, is the most efficient and recommended approach. This option specifically targets the UI redraw, ensuring that only the necessary elements are updated. It provides a more focused and optimized solution for refreshing the outliner header in Blender’s Python scripting UI.