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BLBlender

Open In

by Jishnu Jithu·Workflow

Images © Jishnu Jithu. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Open In earns its place in the Blender library for a focused job: reopening the current file in another installed version, picked straight from the File > Open In menu. The non-destructive approach and the option to register versions manually make it practical for anyone juggling multiple Blender installations.

What is Open In?

Open In is a Blender add-on from Jishnu Jithu that opens the current .blend file in a different installed Blender version. From the File > Open In menu you pick a version from the list, and Blender opens your project in that release. On Windows, the add-on automatically detects installed Blender versions.

The workflow is non-destructive and does not modify your original file. If the project isn't saved when you switch, the add-on temporarily saves it first. Versions it doesn't detect can be added manually by specifying the Blender executable path in preferences, giving you control over which installations appear in the list.

Version 1.1.0 added backup and restore of add-on preferences, automatic detection of portable Blender installations from a directory you specify, and a confirmation popup when opening a file created in a newer Blender version with an older one. Windows is the tested platform, while macOS and Linux support is experimental and needs user testing. A demo video is available.

Who is Open In best for?

Open In is best for developers and artists who test add-ons, scripts, or assets across multiple installed Blender versions.

How much does Open In cost?

Open In is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Automatically detects all installed Blender versions on Windows (experimental on macOS and Linux)
  • One-click open of the current file in a different Blender version from the File > Open In menu
  • Temporarily saves unsaved projects before switching versions
  • Non-destructive: does not modify the original file
  • Manually add custom Blender versions by specifying the executable path in preferences
  • Automatic detection of portable Blender installations from a directory you specify (v1.1.0)
  • Preferences backup and restore, plus a confirmation popup when opening newer files in older versions (v1.1.0)

Tags

#Blender#add-on#workflow#version switching#file management#Blender versions#developers

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Open In support?

Open In supports Blender 4.4, 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0 and 3.6. From within one of these versions you can open your current .blend file in another installed release straight from the File > Open In menu. On Windows the add-on automatically detects installed Blender versions, and you can also manually register versions it doesn't pick up by pointing it at the executable. If you run a version outside this range, check the developer's page for current details before relying on it.

Does Open In work on macOS and Linux?

Open In has been tested on Windows, where it automatically detects all installed Blender versions. Support for macOS and Linux is experimental and still needs user testing, so behaviour on those systems may vary. On any platform you can manually add Blender versions through the preferences by specifying the path to the Blender executable, which gives you a way to point the add-on at installations it doesn't detect on its own. Check the developer's page for the latest on platform support.

How do I add a Blender version that Open In doesn't detect automatically?

Open In lets you add Blender versions that aren't detected automatically. In the add-on preferences you specify the path to the Blender executable, and that version becomes available in the File > Open In list. Version 1.1.0 also added automatic detection of portable Blender installations: you point the preferences at a directory, and the add-on detects and lists all Blender versions found in that folder. Together these options give you control over which installations appear in the menu.

What happens if my file isn't saved when I switch versions?

Open In handles unsaved work by temporarily saving your project before switching to another Blender version, so you don't have to save manually first. The workflow is non-destructive and does not modify your original file. As of version 1.1.0, a confirmation popup appears when you try to open a file created in a newer Blender version using an older one, which helps prevent accidental file corruption during the switch.

Is Open In free, and what license does it use?

Open In is listed as free here, and it's distributed under the GPL license. For current licensing terms and any purchase details, check the developer's page, since terms can change over time. Once installed, the add-on adds an Open In entry under Blender's File menu, letting you reopen the current project in another installed version. Version 1.1.0 also includes preferences backup and restore, so you can save and reload your add-on settings.

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