Skip to content
BLBlender

Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current

by Giambattista Von Nettesheim·Workflow

Images © Giambattista Von Nettesheim. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Open Without earns its place in the superhive library as a focused utility: it does one job, opening additional Blender files in separate instances without disturbing your current work. It's GPL-licensed and holds a five-star rating across three reviews.

What is Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current?

Open Without is a Blender addon by Giambattista Von Nettesheim that lets you open multiple Blender files in separate instances without closing your current project. Your active file stays uninterrupted while you bring up others, and you can switch between them without the close-and-reopen cycle. The addon integrates into the Blender interface.

It supports a broad range of Blender releases, from 2.83 and 2.93 through 3.6 and the 4.x line up to 4.3. One compatibility note applies to Blender 2.8 and 2.93: files must be created with the same version or a supported one, and opening files from higher versions is generally not supported. Installation follows the standard addon route through Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.

Distributed under the GPL license, Open Without has recorded over forty sales and holds a five-star rating across three reviews on superhive. A demo video is available for a closer look.

Who is Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current best for?

Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current is best for blender users who work on several files or projects at once and want to keep their current file open while opening others.

How much does Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current cost?

Open Without: Open Files Without Closing Current is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Opens multiple Blender files in separate instances while the current project stays active
  • Switches between different Blender files without closing and reopening projects
  • Integrates into the Blender interface
  • Installs through Edit > Preferences > Add-ons
  • Supports Blender 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.6, 2.93, and 2.83
  • Released under the GPL license

Tags

#Blender#addon#workflow#multitasking#file management#productivity#user interface

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Open Without in Blender?

Open Without installs like a standard Blender addon. Download the addon file from the developer's page, then open Blender and go to Edit > Preferences. Select the Add-ons section, click Install, and choose the Open Without file you downloaded. Finish by ticking the checkbox next to Open Without to enable it. Once enabled, the addon is ready to use inside your Blender interface, which is where it integrates.

Which Blender versions does Open Without support?

Open Without lists support for Blender 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.6, 2.93, and 2.83, covering a span from older builds to recent releases. One caveat applies to Blender 2.8 and 2.93: you must open a file created with the same version or a supported one. If you run one of the listed versions, the addon is intended to work within your setup, though the developer's page confirms the current details.

Can Open Without open files saved in a newer Blender version?

Open Without generally does not support opening files from higher Blender versions than the one you run. In Blender 2.8 and 2.93 specifically, you must open a file created with the same version or a supported one. If you work across several Blender releases, keep this constraint in mind when moving projects between instances. For the most current detail on these limits, the developer's page is the best reference.

Is Open Without free to use?

Open Without is listed as free in this catalog and is distributed under the GPL license. Pricing and licensing terms can change over time, so the developer's page is the best place to confirm current details before downloading. The addon has recorded over forty sales and holds a five-star rating across three reviews, which may help you gauge how others have received it.

Similar plugins