Blender Extensions in Beta: Install and Update extensions from within Blender!
The previously announced Blender Extensions project has entered its next phase: after releasing the public repository website, Blender has now replaced the old add-ons preference pane with a direct integration to the service. This means you can search and install AND UPDATE extensions from inside Blender with one click.
This feature is currently in development, but as always you can already access it by downloading a daily build.
Today the extensions platform becomes generally available in the development version of Blender, and is on track to be officially available in the upcoming Blender 4.2 LTS, to be released in July.
When opening Blender’s preferences, the “Add-ons” section has been replaced by “Extensions”. After explicit authorization to connect to the extensions.blender.org server, a listing of add-ons and themes will be available. It is now possible to install, enable and update them directly from this interface.
Add-ons and themes that shipped with Blender have been moved to the online platform and their source code is now hosted at projects.blender.org. Authors of those add-ons and themes are encouraged to claim ownership by reaching on the DevTalk forum.
Links
does this mean you can’t install addons the old way?
That’s a valid question! Yes, you still can – otherwise this would rule out installing any add-ons that are not hosted on the extensions site.
For everyone, who miss the “Install” button to install Addons:
Just drag an drop a zipped Addon file directly into blender. Follow the new instructions then. A small window appears and is self explained. You’ll find the installed Addon in the Extensions tab in the preferences then.
Please remember your users that operate on gapped networks. Extensions that are only accessible if you have a machine on the Internet that has blender won’t be accessible to everyone.
You can always download the extensions and install them manually though – just like before.