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Portable Node Format

by X W Z·Workflow

Images © X W Z. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Portable Node Format earns its place for reducing node-group sharing to a single draggable file that carries all node data, connections, and metadata. Worth noting it runs on Windows only for now, with cross-platform support and version 1.1.0 on the developer's roadmap for 2026.

What is Portable Node Format?

Portable Node Format introduces the .node file for packaging, sharing, and distributing Geometry Node groups across the Blender community. Each file holds the node data, connections, and metadata in one place. Under the hood, a .node file is a ZIP archive made of three parts: a .json metadata file describing the node structure and properties, a .blend file with the node group data, and a .config file for package validation.

Working with it centres on two actions. To import, drag and drop a .node file directly into Blender. To export, select the node or nodes you want and choose Export Node Groups from the right-click menu. Any Geometry Node group can be converted, and node properties, connections, and interface definitions carry over. The format is meant to work across different Blender projects without complex file dependencies.

Because the files are small and self-contained, they suit Git workflows and collaborative projects. The format is positioned as a community standard for sharing procedural node group setups in Blender. Cross-platform support is still in progress, so it currently runs on Windows only.

Who is Portable Node Format best for?

Portable Node Format is best for blender artists sharing and distributing Geometry Node groups across projects, and teams collaborating on procedural setups through Git.

How much does Portable Node Format cost?

Portable Node Format is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Export any Geometry Node group to .node format via right-click > Export Node Groups
  • Import .node files by dragging and dropping them directly into Blender
  • Preserves node properties, connections, and interface definitions in a single file
  • Package structure is a ZIP archive with a .json metadata file, a .blend file, and a .config validation file
  • Native file association for drag-and-drop workflow integration
  • Small, self-contained files suited to Git workflows and collaborative projects
  • Currently runs on Windows only, with cross-platform support in progress

Tags

#Geometry Nodes#node groups#procedural#file format#import/export#collaboration#Blender add-on

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Portable Node Format in Blender?

Portable Node Format installs like a standard Blender add-on. Download the latest release, then open Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install and select the downloaded file. Enable the add-on, listed as "Node File Link", and .node file support becomes active. Once it is enabled, you can import files by dragging them into Blender and export node groups from the right-click menu. Check the developer's Releases page to make sure you are grabbing the current version before installing.

Does Portable Node Format work on macOS or Linux?

Portable Node Format works only on Windows at the moment, since cross-platform support is still a work in progress. Getting the extension registration working on all platforms is listed on the developer's roadmap, alongside version 1.1.0 planned for 2026. If you are on macOS or Linux, check the developer's page for the current platform status before relying on the format in a project, as support may change with later releases.

How do I export a Geometry Node group to a .node file?

Portable Node Format handles export by having you select the node or nodes you want, then right-clicking and choosing Export Node Groups to save them as a .node file. Importing works the other way around: drag and drop the .node file straight into Blender to bring the node groups in. Any Geometry Node group can be converted to the format, and node properties, connections, and interface definitions are preserved in the resulting file.

What is inside a .node file?

Portable Node Format packages everything into a single .node file, which under the hood is a ZIP archive containing three parts: a .json metadata file holding the node structure and properties, a .blend file with the actual node group data, and a .config file used for package validation. Bundling the data, connections, and metadata together lets you share node groups across different Blender projects without juggling complex file dependencies or incompatibility issues.

Is Portable Node Format free?

Portable Node Format is listed as free in this catalog. The developer also offers it through Superhive and BlenderKit, so terms may vary depending on the source you use. For the current licensing and any purchase options, check the developer's page directly rather than relying on a fixed figure here. Buying or downloading it is one of the ways the developer suggests supporting the project's ongoing development.

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