Blender 4.5 LTS Officially Released: Key Enhancements and Features

Blender 4.5 Long-Term Support (LTS) was officially launched on July 15, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the Blender Foundation and its community of users and developers. This release introduces a series of enhancements, including new import geometry nodes, support for the Vulkan graphics API, and a new 'Grease Pencil' render pass, alongside numerous quality-of-life updates designed to improve usability and performance.

The launch of Blender 4.5 LTS comes as part of a concerted effort by the Blender Foundation to provide a stable, well-supported version of its open-source 3D creation suite. According to Ton Roosendaal, Chairman of the Blender Foundation, “The 4.5 version not only enhances existing tools but also introduces innovative features that will empower artists and developers alike.”

The 4.5 update expands on Blender's already robust toolset. Notable features include support for a new Point Cloud object type, which is now fully enabled and has had its experimental status removed. This allows for greater flexibility in managing point-based data within the software. Additionally, the Geometry Nodes toolset has seen significant enhancements with the introduction of several new nodes for importing various external data formats, including PLY, OBJ, and CSV, allowing for a more seamless workflow.

Sculpting and painting tools have also received upgrades. The newly introduced Mask by Color operator within the Mask menu enhances the user's ability to manage complex sculptures and textures. Furthermore, the new manifold boolean solver for Sculpt Mode significantly improves performance and reliability, providing artists with more efficient tools for creating intricate designs.

The Compositor section of Blender has been enhanced with the addition of various new nodes, including Vector Math and Float Curve nodes, which facilitate more complex visual effects and image manipulations. These updates are aimed at bridging the gap between different domains within Blender, ensuring that artists can achieve their creative visions more effectively.

Moreover, the support for the Vulkan API represents a major leap forward for Blender, offering performance improvements and increased functionality compared to the existing OpenGL framework. While OpenGL remains the default rendering option for users, the Blender team encourages users to explore Vulkan by enabling it within their preferences, as it promises to provide enhanced graphical fidelity and performance.

In addition to these core features, Blender 4.5 LTS incorporates numerous user interface enhancements and bug fixes designed to streamline user experience. The introduction of a new overlay in the Image Editor allows users to visualize render sizes while using the Viewer node, improving the workflow for compositing tasks.

The Blender community has responded positively to the updates, with many users expressing excitement over the new features. Dr. Maria Smith, an Associate Professor of Digital Arts at Stanford University, noted, “Blender 4.5 LTS not only solidifies its position as a leading tool in 3D modeling but also demonstrates the Blender Foundation’s commitment to continuous improvement based on user feedback.”

The implications of these updates extend beyond individual users to the broader creative industry. As more professionals turn to open-source solutions for their projects, Blender’s enhancements may lead to increased adoption in academic settings and independent studios alike, potentially reshaping the landscape of digital art and design.

In conclusion, Blender 4.5 LTS signifies a pivotal moment for the software, reinforcing its reputation as a powerful and versatile tool for artists and developers. As the open-source community continues to grow, the Blender Foundation's commitment to innovation and user-centric enhancements establishes a promising future for the platform. Users and developers are encouraged to explore the full range of features available in this latest version, as they prepare for the evolving demands of the creative industry.