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Open Solid

by Nikita Akimov·Workflow

Images © Nikita Akimov. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Open Solid stands out in the superhive library because it targets one narrow, practical annoyance: the wait while Blender loads textures and compiles shaders on file open. It runs in the background at version 1.0.0 and is released under the GPL license.

What is Open Solid?

When a .blend file saved with Material Preview mode is opened, Blender starts loading textures and compiling shaders to show them in the viewport. On large, complex scenes with heavy textures and a less powerful computer, this can take significant time and slow or even pause work.

Open Solid works in the background and automatically switches the viewport to Solid mode whenever a new file opens, no matter which mode it was saved in. This removes the delays caused by loading textures and materials, so you can start working as soon as the file opens.

The add-on runs at version 1.0.0 and supports Blender 2.93, 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2. It is released under the GPL license and installs from a .zip archive through the Add-ons section of Blender's Preferences window.

Who is Open Solid best for?

Open Solid is best for blender users who open large, texture-heavy scenes on less powerful machines and want to skip texture and shader loading when a file opens.

How much does Open Solid cost?

Open Solid is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Opens .blend files in Solid viewport mode regardless of the mode they were saved in
  • Switches the viewport to Solid when new files open, removing texture and material loading delays
  • Runs in the background
  • Supports Blender versions 2.93, 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2
  • Installs from a .zip archive through Blender's Add-ons preferences
  • Released under the GPL license

Tags

#Blender#add-on#viewport#solid shading#material preview#workflow#Nikita Akimov

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Open Solid support?

Open Solid supports Blender versions 2.93, 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2. The add-on runs in the background across these versions, switching the viewport to Solid mode as files open. If you run one of these releases, it can handle files regardless of the viewport mode they were saved in. For versions outside this range, check the developer's page to confirm compatibility before installing the add-on on your setup.

How do I install Open Solid in Blender?

Open Solid installs from a .zip archive through Blender's add-on system. Download the archive from the developer's page, then open the Preferences window, go to the Add-ons section, click Install, and point Blender to the downloaded zip file. Once enabled, the add-on runs in the background with no separate interface, so there is nothing extra to open before you start working with your .blend files.

Is Open Solid free to use?

Open Solid is listed as free in this catalog and is released under the GPL license. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the latest licensing details, check the developer's page directly. The GPL license governs how the add-on's code can be used and redistributed, which is standard for Blender add-ons of this kind. The add-on also runs in the background once it is enabled.

How does Open Solid handle files saved in Material Preview mode?

Open Solid changes what happens when you open a .blend file saved with Material Preview mode turned on. Normally Blender starts loading textures and compiling shaders to display them in the viewport, which can take significant time on large, complex scenes with heavy textures on a less powerful computer. Open Solid works in the background and switches the viewport to Solid mode automatically, removing those delays so you can start working right after the file opens.

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