https://github.com/SuperFLEB/blender_apply_all_modifiers
Apply all modifiers in the current file, preserving linked duplicates and applying the modifier stack to all instances.
Either install the ZIP file from the release, clone this repository and use the build_release.py script to build a ZIP file that you can install into Blender.
Use the "Apply All Modifiers" menu item in the 3D Viewport menu bar. A Redo menu allowing options to be set will appear in the bottom left.
- Use View or Render values? - For parameters where there is a "View" and "Render" difference (such as Subdivision Surface), this will allow you to pick which to use.
- Enable hidden modifiers - By default, hidden modifiers are ignored and discarded. This will incorporate them.
This is a very quick-and-dirty solution to my immediate needs, so it's a bit less than thoroughly featured and tested. A few things to watch out for:
- It works on the entire file. If you need to be more particular, move the objects to a different file.
- It only works on Mesh objects, not Curves, Metaballs, etc.
- It will clone the modifier stack from the first-encountered instance of a set of linked duplicates. If there are different modifiers on different instances, they will not be retained.
- Modifiers that use textures, interaction, or randomness will all share the texture or random values of the first-encountered instance.
- Animated modifiers (Cloth, etc.) will apply at the currently-shown frame
- This might mess with rigid body. I'm not sure. I was seeing some errors in the console, but I don't know if it's related.
- Did I mention "quick" and "dirty"? This might do what you want. It might completely blow up your file. It might have subtle bugs you don't find until later. Keep a pre-apply backup.
Also, this comes with some of the same gotchas as a manual Apply Modifier:
- Boolean modifiers will be applied, but boolean "brushes" will not be deleted. (This is how applying the modifier would work, but it's still something to keep in mind.)