Blender 4.2 LTS, released on July 16, 2024, brings several significant updates and new features that enhance its functionality and performance. Key highlights include:
- EEVEE Next: A major rewrite of the EEVEE render engine introduces global illumination, better subsurface scattering, volumetric lighting and shadows, and viewport motion blur.
- Cycles: Enhancements such as ray portals, thin-film interference, improved volume rendering, and blue noise sampling.
- Compositor: Now includes GPU acceleration for final renders, faster CPU performance, and additional nodes supported in the 3D Viewport. New features like an execution time overlay and optimized nodes are also included.
- Extensions Platform: A new way to share, install, and update add-ons and themes directly within Blender. This community-managed platform makes it easier to manage extensions from the Preferences menu.
- Portable Installation: Simplified portable installation process with the introduction of a
portablefolder next to the Blender executable. - Khronos PBR Neutral Tone Mapper: Integrated to enable true-to-life asset displays in PBR rendering, eliminating HDR artifacts around highlights.
- Geometry Nodes: New nodes for more interactive and efficient workflows, including the new Matrix socket type for advanced custom geometry operations .
- Video Sequencer: Redesigned strips for better performance, enhanced text strip features, and tools to highlight missing media.