The Blender Foundation has released Blender 4.1, building on the legacy of its predecessor, Blender 4.0. This latest version, Blender 4.1, introduces a range of exciting updates and enhancements. If you're wondering What is Blender 4.1 compared to its predecessor, we'll explore how Blender 4.1 vs 4.0 stacks up and how these updates can benefit your 3D modeling and animation workflows.

1. User Interface 

Blender 4.1 debuts with a fresh Blender 4.1 splash screen that sets the tone for the enhanced Blender 4.1 UI. The UI remains largely similar to 4.0 but with notable tweaks. When you drag out a new panel, icons within the 'area section' now indicate options like joining, swapping, horizontal or vertical splitting.

Double-clicking an object or collection icon now selects all of its children. Right-click context menus now include options for applying modifiers, showing hierarchy, and expanding or collapsing all.

There are cancel buttons in operator dialogues, improved corner rounding, drop shadows, and better handling of wide lists. These improvements, along with improved shortcuts, enhance your productivity while using Blender.

2. Geometry Nodes

Blender 4.1 introduces several new nodes, including the Bake Node, which allows for saving and loading intermediate geometries. This enables you to project individual elements in your scene with greater efficiency. There are significant performance upgrades in various areas, such as faster mesh extrusion, more efficient nodes, and new Blender add-ons to extend functionality.

There are several other new geometry nodes, which you can find on Blender’s official page here.

3. "Switcheroo" Node – Creating Custom Menus

The Switcheroo node allows for the creation of custom enum (enumerated) menus. This functionality is a significant leap in user interface customization within Blender. With these custom menus, users can effortlessly switch between various options in the group interface, enhancing overall workflow efficiency.

4. Drag and Drop Import

Blender 4.1 introduces a drag-and-drop functionality for importing objects directly into your viewport, simplifying workflows for those using Blender on a cloud computer. This feature supports various file formats, including OBG, USD, Alembic, STL, SVG, and Collada, making it easier than ever to bring artistic painter projects to life.

5. Video Sequencer

Blender’s Video Sequencer has received significant upgrades, making it faster and more efficient for video editing tasks, which can be crucial for solving common Blender problems.

• Chroma Vectorscope: Now maintains aspect ratio with an added "skin tone" line. It uses standard BT709 coefficients for RGB to YUV conversion, enhancing accuracy.

• Histogram Updates: This feature is more intuitive with labels for EXR files and GPU-based drawing for efficiency.

• Revamped Luma Waveform: The Luma Waveform now showcases greater detail and labels, alongside improved computational efficiency.

• Luma Waveform Separated Colors: Also known as the “RGB parade,” this version is less saturated for better visibility and faster performance.

• Default Audio Waveform Previews: Audio waveforms are now displayed by default, streamlining the audio editing process in the sequencer.

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6. Rigging and NLA

Bone collections in Blender 4.1 are now hierarchical, allowing for more organized rigging processes and making Blender 4.1 sculpting smoother and more intuitive. New visibility options in bone collections aid in focusing on specific joints or bones during rigging and weight painting.

7. Rendering and Compositing

OpenImageDenoise is now GPU accelerated on supported hardware, making high-quality denoising available. This feature significantly speeds up viewport rendering, helping you make the most of Blender tips and tricks for better results.

It is enabled automatically when using GPU rendering in the 3D viewport and for final renders.

New nodes and updates to existing ones like Vector Blur and Defocus enhance Blender’s compositing capabilities. Cryptomatte, Defocus, Vector Blur, and Keying Screen are now supported on the viewport compositor.

8. Additional Updates

While not as extensive, there are improvements in the Python API and sculpting tools. The VSE interface now repaints faster, with improved performance in effects like glow and wipe. Updates to GLTF 2.0, Rigify, and other exporters enhance Blender’s extensibility. In addition, here are the performance improvements mentioned on Blender’s official update page:

• 3x-4x faster drawing of the timeline

• Faster reading and writing movies

• Glow effect is 6x-10x faster

• Wipe effect is 6x-20x faster

• Gamma Cross is 4x faster

• Gaussian Blur effect is 1.5x faster

• Solid Color is 2x faster

• Faster Color Management

• Faster image transformation

• Audio resampling speed-up

In conclusion, Blender 4.1, released on [insert release date], introduces a variety of new features and updates that continue to push the boundaries of 3D modeling and animation. The Blender Foundation deserves appreciation for these enhancements, which promise to make the Blender experience even more efficient and enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or experienced user, this complete guide will help you master Blender 4.1.

It's available for download at blender.org, where you can also support the Development Fund. Dive into this new version and unleash your creativity!

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FAQs:

1. What are the key differences between Blender 4.1 and 4.0?

   • Blender 4.1 introduces several enhancements over 4.0, including a revamped UI, new geometry nodes, drag-and-drop import functionality, and improved video sequencing tools.

2. When was Blender 4.1 released?

   • Blender 4.1 was released on [insert release date here], building on the success of Blender 4.0 with significant new features and performance improvements.

3. How does the Blender 4.1 splash screen differ from previous versions?

   • The Blender 4.1 splash screen features updated visuals and reflects the latest improvements in the UI, offering users a fresh start every time they open the software.

4. What is the new Switcheroo Node in Blender 4.1?

   • The Switcheroo Node in Blender 4.1 allows users to create custom enum menus, making it easier to switch between different options within the group interface.

5. Can I use Blender 4.1 for sculpting?

   • Yes, Blender 4.1 includes several improvements that make sculpting more intuitive, including hierarchical bone collections that aid in organizing complex rigs.

6. What are the advantages of using Vagon's cloud PCs with Blender 4.1?

   • Vagon's high-performance cloud PCs provide the power and efficiency needed to fully utilize Blender 4.1’s capabilities, allowing for seamless 3D modeling, animation, and rendering directly from your browser.