Blender 4.0 has been released, and with it an expansive roster of new features and tools that touch on everything from the 3D modeling software’s UI to geometry nodes to shading.
The full release is, perhaps obviously, much too long to list here, although judging from the notes, Blender users have a lot to be excited about. For the UI, there are tweaks to the 3D Viewport, Node Editor, and Keymap that work to make navigation and overall usability easier and more streamlined. A new typeface designed specifically for computer screens also works to boost readability.
There are tools that enable a “more principled” BDSF – by way of edge tinting for metallic surfaces and subsurface scale input, for example – as well as new settings for rendering that cause light to behave better in large angles. Geometry Nodes – a point of focus for Blender 3.0 – have also received some love, with a Points to Curves node that generates curves geometry, a new debug utility, and the Mesh to Volume node now more effectively generating fog volume, among many other improvements.
Enhancements to Blender’s search function help speed up workflows. A new, “long-awaited” Light Linking feature allows users to select specific elements that light should affect. There are new assets for the Human Base Meshes bundle and “hundreds” of bug fixes. The list goes on.
In all, Blender 4.0 serves as a remarkably all-encompassing update for the first full stable release since the Blender Foundation changed to a more regular release schedule after a more-than-20-year gap before Blender 3.0 was released in 2021. The Blender Foundation, itself, calls the update “a major leap” for the software. Of course, this comes as no surprise, given Blender’s track record, but it’s nevertheless welcome. Diving into the nitty-gritty of exactly what’s changed necessitates a free morning and a (big) cup of coffee, so be prepared. When you’re ready, check out Blender’s website for the Blender 4.0 release notes and an overview YouTube video.
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License: The text of "Blender 4.0 Improves Search, UI, BDSF and Just About Everything Else" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.