Create 3D animations, graphics, and even games with intuitive controls

Blender for Mac

Blender for Mac

  -  319.68 MB  -  Open Source
  • Latest Version

    Blender 4.2.3 LATEST

  • Review by

    Sophia Jones

  • Operating System

    macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Blender Foundation / External Link

  • Filename

    blender-4.2.3-macos-x64.dmg

  • MD5 Checksum

    7b5f6ddba082265a20eedd861d8809d0

Blender for Mac is a free and open-source 3D creation software designed to empower artists, designers, and animators to access industry-leading tools for 3D modeling, sculpting, rigging, animation, rendering, and more. Its comprehensive toolset and extensive support for 3rd party addons allow users of this app to create stunning visual effects and animations for use in an incredible variety of projects, including video gaming, architecture, promotional videos, special effects for film/TV/streaming, and much more.

The app's ability to handle complex tasks such as modeling, texturing, and lighting makes it an essential tool for professionals in all fields of content creation. Its comprehensive toolset also covers integrations with external software solutions, making it easily deployable for users whose daily 3D content creation workflows rely on different apps and project file types.

Since its first introduction to the market three decades ago in 1994, this popular app received an incredible set of functionality updates, gathering one of the largest communities of creators in the world that are responsible for an incredible set of documentation and tutorials for newcomers and professionals alike.

Features
  • 3D Modeling – Access a comprehensive array of modeling tools for projects of all types and sizes.
  • Seamless Sculpting – Experiment with industry-leading digital sculpting tools.
  • Advanced Animation – Built-in support for all legacy and modern techniques, including keyframing, walk cycles, and motion tracking.
  • High-Quality Rendering – Access stunning ultra-realistic rendering capabilities with Cycles.
  • External Renderers – Finalize projects with a large offering of free, open-source, and proprietary renderers.
  • Advanced Materials – Create and customize realistic materials with ease.
  • Realistic Simulation Tools – Create large-scale simulations with tools such as Bullet and MantaFlow.
  • Python API – Extent capabilities according to your needs.
Installation and Setup

To install this app on any modern Mac, users must download an official installer from the main website of the app or the secure FileHorse servers. After the brief installation procedure, the app can be immediately started.

It should be noted that this app supports portable deployment, enabling users to store it not only on local storage but also on USB sticks!

How to Use

To use this app effectively, new users should first familiarize themselves with its basic features and functionality using not only built-in documentation but also extensive online tutorials created by the app’s large international community. This includes learning how to navigate the interface, use the various tools and features, and customize the app to suit their specific needs.

Users with knowledge of other 3D model editor apps will have no issues mastering the basics of camera and modeling tools, with some learning being needed for some services that are not offered in competing software products.

User Interface

Blender's user interface is clean and intuitive, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. The app's interface is divided into modular sections that users can customize according to their needs or the available number of monitors, including the 3D view, the properties panel, and the outliner.

Each section is clearly labeled and easy to navigate, making it easy for users to find the tools and features they need.

FAQ
    
What is Blender?
It is a free and open-source 3D creation software designed for use on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers.

Is it safe?
Yes, this popular app is free from malware and viruses.

Alternatives

Autodesk Maya – A professional 3D computer modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering software.

SketchUp Pro– A 3D modeling software that enables architects, designers, and engineers to create detailed models and visualizations with intuitive tools and a user-friendly interface.

Modo – A 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering software that offers artists a powerful and flexible environment for creating high-quality visual content, combining advanced sculpting, animation, and visual effects tools.

Pricing

This is a free app.

System Requirements
  • OS: macOS 11.2 (macOS 14 Sonoma is recommended)
  • CPU: Intel processor (Apple Silicon is recommended)
  • RAM: 8GB of memory (32GB is recommended)
  • GPU: GPU with Metal 2.2 compatibility
PROS
  • Free and open-source.
  • Realistic rendering support.
  • Extensive modeling, simulation, and animation tools.
  • Integration features.
  • Customizable interface.
  • Fully optimized for Apple Silicon and Metal API.
CONS
  • Steep learning curve.
Conclusion

Blender for Mac is a powerful and versatile 3D creation software designed to enable artists, designers, and animators to take full control over the creation of 3D models and 3D scenes. Its free and open-source nature, as well as its extensive customization options, make it an attractive option not only for those on a budget but also for seasoned professionals who want access to industry-leading tools for 3D asset creation.

Also Available: Download Blender for Windows

  • Blender 4.2.3 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Blender 4.2.3 Screenshot 1
  • Blender 4.2.3 Screenshot 2
  • Blender 4.2.3 Screenshot 3

What's new in this version:

- “Auto-Save Preferences” does not work in all preference menus
- 4.1 splash screen won’t render in Blender 4.2.1 with MetalRT
- BKE: id_delete: Do not forbid layer collection resync in non-Main case
- Black rectangle artifact in mask feather
- Changing enum props in redo menu doesn’t update the menu drawing
- Combining two Shader to RGB nodes destroys the Normals AOV
- Compositing Using Multiple Utility Levels Node Freeze Blender
- Crash applying object transform for multi-user objects
- Crash deleting mask vertices
- Crash if expanding the fonts directory fails
- Crash making objects single user
- Crash on load after id_properties_ui type change
- crash to desktop when baking texture from selected mesh with no faces to active
- Crash using “~” in the file selector when the “home” is null
- Cryptomatte segmentation error
- DRW: Rename draw_debug_info.hh to avoid conflict with main branch
- EEVEE: Inconsistent DOF Preview
- EEVEE: Mesh Plane Disappears on Some Angles
- EEVEE: Refractive materials do not refract emissive materials
- EEVEE: Volume Lightprobe: Division by zero if no object is visible
- Extensions: Manifest polishing
- Fix ARRAY_HAS_ITEM macro on 64bit systems
- Fix IDPropertyUIManager.as_dict() non-array default for arrays
- Fix inconsistency between *BKE_appdir_folder_{home/default} on macOS
- Fix mask duplicate failing to set the active point
- Fix: ‘Snap to Grid’ defaults to ‘Center’ instead of ‘Median’ when ‘Closest’ is selected
- Fix: Error in builds without OCIO
- Fix: Snap grid point of Rotate operator is closest to the constraint axis
- Fix: Snap to Grid with constraint limited to floor level
- Fix: Uninitialized variable in versioning code
- glTF exporter: fix crash using full collection hierarchy export
- GPU compositor glare node does not work properly on high resolution images
- HDRI Screen tearing
- Incorrectly displays texture transparency when face orientation is enabled
- Keys deleting when moving key(s) in Graph Editor with shared animation across multiple objects
- Large VDB files crashing Blender 4.2 RC – macOS Metal
- License: Outdated HDRi license file
- macOS: Splash Screen notice to about reduced performance on Rosetta
- macOS: UV islands display issue – macOS Metal
- Memory leak selecting meshes in multi-object edit-mode
- Parent to triangle changes child location
- Regression: Corrupted output when changing render regions in script with cycles without denoising
- Regression: file selector automatically creates paths & warns
- Regression: Multires Unsubdivide destroys the vertex groups
- Regression: Snapping related performance regression in 4.2
- Regression: STL importing files in with smooth shaded faces
- Regression: Toggle Maximize Area slower with geometry nodes
- render view with Cropped render region result in line offset / distortion with GPU compositor set to GPU
- Snaping in solid mode (Xray 1.0) doesnt snap other geometry
- Tooltips unnecessary large padding
- Uncheck “Load UI” causes failure in direct manipulation of nodes with certain files
- Video: Error in video decoding on either Linux or AVX512 CPU (ffmpeg alignment issue?)
- WIN32: Extension update failed and removed the addon instead