The add-on RetopoFlow version 4.0 from Orange Turbine has officially launched for Blender (minimum version 4.2 required). The update includes a “complete rewrite” of the add-on with tools now integrated directly into Blender’s Edit Mode (i.e., the standard mesh-editing mode) for a “fast, non-blocking” workflow.
Performance is claimed to be “massively boosted” thanks to new algorithms and streamlined hotkeys. Support for non-mesh objects (curves, NURBS, metaballs, text) has been added so topologies can now snap to surfaces beyond just polygon meshes. Most of the established tool-set from RetopoFlow 3 (Strokes, PolyStrips, PolyPen, Tweak, Relax) is present. However, the Patches tool remains absent from version 4.0 at launch.
Why it matters for production
Retopology (creating a clean, low-polygon mesh from a high-poly sculpt or scan) remains a labour-intensive step in many workflows. RetopoFlow’s sketch-based workflow (draw quads on the surface rather than manually place vertices) has been seen as a productivity boost.
By integrating directly into Edit Mode, version 4.0 promises fewer context switches (no need for separate modes or windows) and potentially tighter pipeline coupling with rigging, animation or asset export. The non-mesh support opens new workflows (e.g., converting NURBS text or curves into low-poly geometry) which may appeal in broadcast, motion-graphics or mixed-media asset work.
Licensing & system requirements
RetopoFlow 4.0 requires Blender 4.2 or later, Licensing is handled via SuperHive (formerly Blender Market). The source-code is under the GPL licence and binaries are optionally free via GitHub (though at time of writing the free binary had not been updated to version 4.0).
Pricing is the “Personal / Commercial” licence for a single user is US$86; “Small Team” (2-5 users) US$152, full team for US$426 and studio for US$ 1286
Get it here: https://superhivemarket.com/products/retopoflow
Upgrade discounts apply: users who purchased RetopoFlow 3 may apply coupon code retopoflow-og for 25% off. The FAQ adds: during beta the upgrade price for existing users is about US$45 (after discount) if combined with promotional pricing. As with any tool update in a production pipeline: it is advisable to test thoroughly before full studio rollout.
Considerations & limitations
The Patches tool remains absent from this stable release, so any workflows reliant on that will need to wait or maintain a legacy version. While non-mesh support is a new feature, how stable and performant it is in heavy-production scenes is not independently verified at this time. The free binary being behind version 4.0 (Time of writing: Oct 22nd, 20205) means teams deploying should verify the exact version and compatibility. To say it again: As with any tool update in a production pipeline: test thoroughly before full studio rollout (That means YOU, Marcus!)
