Blender 4.4 has officially been released, introducing a significant update to the open-source 3D modeling software. This latest version occurs four months after Blender 4.3, enhancing functionality and user experience with several new features.
One of the key updates includes support for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50×0 (Blackwell) and AMD RX 90×0 (RDNA4) graphics cards, improving GPU rendering capabilities. Additionally, Blender 4.4 implements its first use of Vulkan for displaying rendered results from Cycles, promising equivalent performance compared to the previous OpenGL method through a new threading model.
The update also brings enhancements to the compositor with integer socket support, improved Blur node accuracy through a more refined Fast Gaussian mode, and a revamped Glare node for better control. Users can now render videos using the H.265/HEVC codec and experience enhanced functionality with the new Plane brush type, which offers further control over stabilization and influence range.
Other notable improvements include better consistency in overlays, a larger update for the Vulkan backend focused on performance and stability, and a complete rewrite of the CPU compositor preparing it for future developments. The "Render Audio" operator now supports AAC format, while additional changes introduce rendering capabilities for 10 and 12-bit/channel videos and support for the BT.709 color space.
For those interested in further details, the complete release notes for Blender 4.4 are available on the official website, where the software can also be downloaded for use on various GNU/Linux distributions without installation hassle.