Blender continues to evolve, and in its version 4.4, it introduces a key improvement in animation management. Now, the Actions system has been revamped with the addition of Slots, allowing for more efficient data organization and facilitating the creation of complex animations.
Greater Control in Animation
With the implementation of Slots, a single Action can store multiple types of data. This means an object that changes color while moving no longer needs multiple separate animation blocks; it can now manage its position and materials within the same structure.
This optimization is especially useful in camera and material animation, where each aspect can be managed independently within the same Action, reducing workflow complexity.
A More Flexible System
In addition to improving organization, the new system allows for:
- Merging Animations: It is now possible to combine the animation of several objects into a single Action, optimizing movement management in complex scenes.
- Splitting Animations: An Action can also be split into multiple Slots, providing more detailed control over each animation element.
An Evolution Within the Animation 2025 Project
The development of Slots in Actions is part of the Animation 2025 Project, an initiative focused on improving rigging and animation tools within Blender.
"The original plan contemplated completely replacing Actions with a new animation system, but the decision was made to improve the existing system, offering great benefits without compromising compatibility."
Compatibility and New Python Options
The new system introduces an optimized Python API, which facilitates the automation and customization of animations. Although not fully backward compatible, Blender will automatically update .blend files when opened, ensuring a smooth transition.
Improved Rendering Performance
Parallel to these animation improvements, Blender 4.4 has optimized the performance of the Vulkan backend, used for real-time viewport display. Although still an experimental feature, its performance has improved considerably compared to OpenGL, bringing it closer to wider adoption in professional workflows.
With these new features, Blender 4.4 continues to solidify its position as one of the most powerful tools for digital animation. The incorporation of Slots in Actions marks a turning point in animation data management, making the process smoother, more flexible, and more efficient.