- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: May 14, 2007
- Total Downloads: 236,069
- Downloads last week: 803
- See full specifications
A newer version of Blender is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 123 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
If you've ever thought about making professional-quality animations but decided not to because of the cost of the software, your excuse just got up and walked out the door. Blender is a free, open-source 3D rendering program that puts the power of the medium back into the hands of the artist.
Blender features a laundry list of animation essentials that can be broken down into categories: Interface, Modeling, Rigging, Rendering, Animation, UV Unwrapping, Shading, Physics and Particles, Imaging and Compositing, and Real Time 3D/Game Creation. The interface, though loaded with complicated tools, is remarkable for neither obscuring nor interfering with the image being worked on. A brief sampling of tools and functions includes 3D paint for vertex weighing, polygon meshes, 2D and 3D procedural brushes, edge rendering, textures, collision simulation, and support for around two dozen 2D and 3D file formats. Extras can be added with Python scripting, and since it's open source, many scripts can be easily found for download in the user forums.
Blender is not for the faint of heart. Learning to use it is time-consuming and best done by following the detailed tutorials available on the Blender Web site. There is also an extensive online Blender community, making familiarization with the app less painful--if not pain-free. However, none of these detracts from the overall experience or usefulness of the program, and we strongly recommend it for advanced users.
Publisher's description
From Blender :Blender is the open-source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback. It is available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
Version 2.44 is mostly a bug-fixing release, but it also adds a few new features like subsurface scattering (SSS) support and two new composite nodes.
What's new in this version:
Version 2.44 is mostly a bug-fixing release, but it also adds a few new features like subsurface scattering (SSS) support and two new composite nodes.
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User reviews of Blender 2.44
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 123 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 50 user reviewsSee all 50 user reviews
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Blender 2.44
"Its rare to find such easy and free 3D modelling software."
Pros: Easily replaces the power of 3D studio max trial.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Blender 2.44
Pros: Blender is an amazing program. Not only is it free, but it's better than every commercial 3D modeling program I've ever tried (3DS MAX, Maya). The interface is not for beginners, but neither is any other 3D interface I've seen that's any good. Blender is quickly improving and very feature rich. There's texture nodes, ray tracing, sculpting, pipeline rendering, and so much more. Many people complain about how hard it is to use, but 3D modeling is a complex thing and Blender actually makes it pretty easy in contrast.
Cons: It would be nice if Blender warned you about unsaved work when you exit, and better support for export formats would be nice.
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0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Blender 2.44
"Wow - I'm completely new to this stuff, but WOOOOOWWWW!"
Pros: This software can make 3D video games, films, and still pictures with amazing graphics. It has the potential to make whatever 3D idea you have in your head a reality! And, IT'S FREE!
If you don't believe it's amazing graphics just buy reading this review, drop by blender.org and view the gallery - they even have a feature length DVD a group of people made together with blender that you can order.
Cons: All 3D modeling software is not for the faint of heart. If you're new to it, be prepared to spend some time reading and watching internet tutorials, or you can buy a book. The layout may be intimidating, but if you're driven, it's completely worth it.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Blender 2.44
"This could be interesting..."
Pros: This could be a very interesting program. IF I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT ANIMATION! ...which I don't. If it had a better help file I might be able to figure it out, but for now this just seems an extremely good program for people who know what they are doing. Yet it seems to me that anyone who knows as much about animation that this program requires would already have a program like this or better.
Cons: Very difficult to use for beginners... or anyone. :P
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Version: Blender 2.44
Pros: High level 3d modeling for free. Holds its own with Maya and I like Blender better than Maya. I learned to use both at school and I think Blender is better.
Cons: Hard to learn. Like I said, I learned this program and Maya at school, so that's how I know what to do. If you don't know how to use it, you WILL get stuck before you start. So unless you're willing to spend hours searching for tutorials don't get it. If you're patient enough for that, then by all means get this program!
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