File extension

.blend

Blender project file

.blend files are Blender project files: the native format of the open source Blender 3D suite, storing scenes, models, materials, animation, and more in a single file.

Known meanings

Formats and reference material for .blend

Blender project file

Native file format of the Blender 3D creation suite

  • 3d-graphics video-animation
  • Blender Foundation
Open link

Details

Format notes

Blender (.blend)

A .blend file is the native save format of Blender, the free and open source 3D creation suite maintained by the Blender Foundation and community. One file can hold all the data of a project: objects and meshes, materials, textures, lights, cameras, animation, rigging, simulations, video editing sequences, and the user interface layout. Blender also creates .blend1 backup files when saving over an existing file.

Technical Notes

A .blend file starts with the magic bytes BLENDER followed by header fields that indicate pointer size, endianness, and the version of Blender that wrote it. The body is a sequence of data blocks, each with a block header and raw memory-like contents, together with a DNA block that describes the data structures used. This design lets newer and older Blender versions read each other’s files within certain limits. Files may be compressed, and external assets such as images can be packed inside the file or linked by path.

Adoption

Blender can open files from earlier versions, but files saved by newer versions may lose features when opened in older ones. Other software generally relies on import and export through formats such as glTF, FBX, OBJ, or USD rather than reading .blend files directly. Blender also uses .blend files as asset libraries.

Preservation And Security Notes

Record the Blender version used, since long-term compatibility is best with Blender itself, and export to open formats such as glTF or USD for exchange. Embedded Python scripts can run automatically when a file is opened if auto-run is enabled, so keep “Auto Run Python Scripts” disabled for files from untrusted sources.

Further Reading

  • Blender manual, Blend files: https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/blend/index.html
  • Blender: https://www.blender.org/