The first official release of the update to the fantastic 3D package, Blender, was announced this week. As well as a complete makeover for the often criticised GUI, there have been massive changes to the data structures under the hood. A new ‘DNA’ system means that every element of the software can be controlled, edited, animated, whatever you want.

Some of the highlights of v2.5A0:

• Customisable UI, including fully configurable window layouts and hot keys - why not adapt it to work more like Maya, or any other 3D software?
• Animate anything - not just modelling and armatures, now you can insert key frames for any value in the object data just by hitting the I key over the controller.
• Live search all commands - can’t remember the key combo or mouse button required? No problem, just press space and start typing the name of the command! For example, to subdivide a mesh: hit space, type ‘su’, and your command will be one of the results.
• New & updated features - smoke system, particles, spline IK. Version 2.5A0 has a multitude of additions and improvements.

Don’t get me wrong - Blender is still an intimidating tool for new users. I hadn’t touched it for a few years before this new release, and it still took me a while to find my feet. However, the new additions and UI improvements should ease the learning curve.

The new version is marked as ‘Alpha 0’, and still has a few kinks to work out. Apparently, all work will be completed by the time version 2.6 comes out around the middle of next year. Still, this version is quite impressive, and well worth a look. Download it from here, or read the release notes.