How to Install Blender on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

Blender is a powerhouse in 3D creation, offering a comprehensive suite of modeling, animation, rendering, and post-production tools. This free, open-source software has become indispensable for artists, designers, and animators worldwide, fostering a vibrant community and a rich ecosystem of plugins and extensions. Its versatility and power are accessible through a user-friendly interface, making it an ideal choice for professionals and hobbyists.

Here are some compelling reasons to install Blender on Ubuntu:

• Open-source freedom: Blender is fully open-source, offering unparalleled flexibility and community support.
• Comprehensive toolset: Blender has everything you need in one package, from modeling to animation.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Works seamlessly on Ubuntu, ensuring stability and performance.
• Active development and community: Regular updates and a vibrant community for support and resources.
• Extensive learning resources: Abundant tutorials and forums are available to help you master its tools.
• Plugin ecosystem: Enhance Blender’s functionality with community-developed plugins.
• Professional-grade features: Used by professionals in film, games, and visualization.
• Cost-effective solution: Blender is free, making it accessible to everyone without financial barriers.

With these advantages in mind, let’s proceed to the technical steps required to get Blender up and running on your Ubuntu system. Now, let’s dive into the installation process.

Method 1: Install Blender via APT

Update Ubuntu Before Blender Installation

To ensure a smooth installation process, it’s essential to start by updating your Ubuntu system. This step ensures that all existing packages are up-to-date, minimizing the risk of conflicts during the installation process.

Execute the following command to update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Install Blender via APT Command

The first installation option utilizes the APT package manager with Ubuntu’s default repository containing Blender for a straightforward and fast method. However, this repository may not offer the latest Blender version since it prioritizes urgent security updates.

Run the following command to install Blender using this method:

sudo apt install blender

Method 2: Install Blender via Flatpak and Flathub

This section will explore an alternative method for installing Blender using the Flatpak package manager. Flatpak is a universal packaging format for Linux applications similar to Snap, offering benefits such as easy distribution, security sandboxing, and the ability to run multiple versions of an application side-by-side.

Note: If your system does not have Flatpak installed, please refer to our guide on How to Install Flatpak on Ubuntu for step-by-step instructions on installing the most recent supported version of Flatpak.

Enable Flathub For Blender

Before installing Blender through Flatpak, you must enable the Flathub repository, the primary source for Flatpak applications. To enable Flathub, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to your Flatpak configuration, ensuring you have access to various applications, including Blender.

Install Blender via Flatpak Command

With Flathub enabled, you can now install Blender using the flatpak install command. Run the following command in your terminal:

flatpak install flathub org.blender.Blender -y

This command installs Blender from the Flathub repository, providing you with the latest application version.

Method 3: Install Blender via Snapcraft

Snap is a trusted platform for installing and managing software on Ubuntu systems. As Snap is installed by default on Ubuntu, it is a solid method for installing Blender as an additional option for upstream updated versions.

Ensure Snap is Installed on Your Ubuntu System

If Snap isn’t already operational on your system, you can easily install it using the command below:

sudo apt install snapd -y

Enable Classic Snap Support for Blender

Blender requires the Snap ‘classic’ mode to perform optimally, as it needs more access to system resources. ‘Classic’ confinement provides a more permissive execution environment, and you can enable it with this command:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Install the Core Snap

To ensure the smooth functioning of all snap applications, first install the ‘core’ snap before proceeding with Blender’s installation. Use the following command to achieve this:

sudo snap install core

Install Blender via Snap Command

Now, you can move forward with installing Blender. Ensure to include the --classic flag, as Blender requires classic confinement to access necessary system resources fully. The installation command is:

sudo snap install blender --classic

The --classic option is necessary as it allows the Blender snap to access system resources similarly to traditionally packaged applications, providing the application with a full range of functions and features to operate effectively.

Launch Blender via CLI or GUI Methods

Once you’ve installed Blender on your system, several launch methods are available. This section covers various starting methods, ensuring quick and convenient access to the application.

CLI Methods to Launch Blender

To launch Blender immediately from the terminal, type the following command:

blender

For Flatpak users, you will need to use a different command to launch Blender from the terminal:

flatpak run org.blender.Blender

Lastly, Snapcraft installations can launch the software with the following command:

snap run blender

GUI Method to Launch Blender

A more practical way to launch Blender is through your desktop environment. To do this, follow the path below:

Activities > Show Applications > Blender

Additional Blender Commands

Update Blender

It’s essential to keep Blender up-to-date to ensure that you always have the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. The commands to update Blender depend on the installation method you initially used.

APT Update Method For Blender

If you installed Blender using the APT package manager, execute the following commands in your terminal to update your system and upgrade Blender:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Flatpak Update Method For Blender

If you installed Blender using Flatpak, you can update it by running the following command in your terminal:

flatpak update

Snap Update Method For Blender

Lastly, Snapcraft installations need to run a single command to refresh and proceed with upgrades as follows:

snap refresh

Remove Blender

If you no longer require Blender on your system, you can uninstall it using the appropriate command based on the installation method you used.

APT Remove Method For Blender

To remove Blender installed via the APT package manager, execute the following command in your terminal:

sudo apt remove blender

Flatpak Remove Method For Blender

To uninstall Blender installed via Flatpak, use the following command in your terminal. This will also delete any associated data:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.blender.Blender

Snap Remove Method For Blender

Snapcraft installations of Blender can run the following command that will prompt you via snap commands to remove the software:

sudo snap remove blender

Closing Thoughts

In wrapping up, this guide walked you through installing Blender on Ubuntu, covering APT, Snap, and Flatpak methods. Now that you’ve got Blender installed, it’s time to unleash your creativity and explore this powerful tool’s vast possibilities. Remember, the Blender community is incredibly supportive, so don’t hesitate to seek out resources or help when pushing the boundaries of what you can create.

Useful Links

Here are some valuable links related to using Blender:

• Blender Official Website: Visit the official Blender website for information about the software, its features, and download options.
• Blender Features: Explore the various features of Blender to understand its capabilities and tools.
• Blender Support: Access support resources for help with Blender, including documentation and community assistance.
• Blender Manual: Consult the official Blender manual for comprehensive guides on using Blender.
• Blender FAQ: Find answers to frequently asked questions about Blender.
• Blender Developer Documentation: Access documentation for developers to contribute to Blender’s development.
• Blender Tutorials: Explore tutorials to learn how to use Blender effectively.
• Blender Community: Connect with the community to participate in discussions, events, and collaborations.
• Blender Foundation YouTube Channel: The Blender Foundation’s YouTube channel offers video tutorials, demonstrations, and updates.