Blender 5.0 has entered its release candidate stage, signalling that the open-source 3D suite is only days away from full release. The RC phase runs until 18 November 2025, after which the final build will be issued if no critical bugs emerge.

What’s coming?

Among the major changes are full integration of the ACES 1.3 and 2.0 colour management systems, giving artists more accurate tone-mapping and consistent colour handling across production pipelines. Cycles receives additional rendering refinements, improving sampling performance and light path accuracy. The Compositor gains expanded node functionality and faster feedback, while Geometry Nodes continue to grow with broader procedural modelling capabilities.

https://twitter.com/Blender/status/1988928919479705786

The user interface has also undergone refinement, targeting consistency across editors and providing clearer access to scene and node controls. Together, these updates aim to enhance usability and fidelity without altering Blender’s open, modular workflow philosophy.

The release candidate can be downloaded via Blender’s build portal, and users are invited to provide final testing feedback through the official Blender Survey 2025 before the version is locked for release. Blender 5.0’s final release is expected shortly after 18 November 2025.

The post Blender 5.0 hits release candidate! first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.