====== Blender ======

[[https://blender.org|Blender]] is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, and video games. As a versatile and powerful program, Blender's feature set covers the entirety of the 3D production pipeline.

The software is managed and developed by the Blender Foundation, a non-profit organization based in the Netherlands. Its open-source nature means it is developed by a large community of volunteers and full-time employees, making it a perpetually evolving and community-driven project. It is cross-platform and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

===== Key Features =====

Blender is known for its extensive and professional-grade feature set, which rivals that of many high-end commercial software packages.

**Modeling and Sculpting**: It provides a comprehensive suite of modeling tools, including support for polygon meshes, curves, and subdivision surfaces. Its digital sculpting toolset offers various brushes and dynamic topology for creating detailed organic models.

**Animation and Rigging**: Blender offers a full-featured rigging and animation toolset, including inverse kinematics, a non-linear animation editor, and a dope sheet, making it suitable for complex character animation.

**Rendering**: The software includes two primary built-in render engines:

  ***Cycles**: A powerful, production-ready path tracing engine for creating photorealistic renders.
  * **Eevee**: A real-time physically based render engine that allows for rapid visualization and asset development, functioning similarly to a modern game engine.

**Visual Effects (VFX)**: Blender has a built-in compositor for post-production work and a high-quality motion tracking system for seamlessly integrating 3D elements into live-action footage.

**Simulation**: It can simulate a variety of physical phenomena, including fluid, smoke, fire, cloth, rigid bodies, and particles.

**2D Animation Pipeline**: The Grease Pencil tool allows artists to draw directly in a 3D space, combining 2D and 3D workflows for storyboarding, 2D concept art, and full 2D animation.

**Video Editing**: A basic but functional non-linear Video Sequence Editor (VSE) is included for cutting, splicing, and performing simple post-processing on video files.

**Scripting and Customization**: With an extensive Python API, nearly every aspect of Blender can be scripted and customized. This has led to a thriving ecosystem of free and commercial add-ons that extend its core functionality.