BlenderGIS: The Bridge Between GIS Data and 3D Modeling
The premier open-source Blender addon for creators, architects, and urban planners. Seamlessly import satellite imagery, generate 3D terrain from DEM, and build complex cities using real-world OpenStreetMap data with geographic precision.
Powerful Geospatial Capabilities
BlenderGIS provides a comprehensive suite of tools to handle complex geographic data within a professional 3D environment.
Dynamic Basemaps
Access high-resolution satellite imagery and map tiles directly from Google Maps, Bing, and OpenStreetMap. Instantly synchronize web maps with your Blender 3D view.
3D Terrain Generation
Import SRTM DEM (Digital Elevation Model) data to create accurate 3D topographies. Support for GeoTIFF and other raster elevation formats for professional land analysis.
OSM Data Integration
Pull vector data from OpenStreetMap to automatically generate buildings, highways, and water bodies. Extrude buildings based on real-world height attributes.
True Georeferencing
Maintain Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS) within Blender. Seamlessly export and import Shapefiles (.shp) while preserving exact geographic positioning.
Advanced Mesh Tools
Utilize Delaunay Triangulation for irregular point cloud processing. Snap objects to terrain surfaces and perform slope analysis using dedicated shader nodes.
Geotagged Photos
Create 3D camera setups from geotagged JPG/EXIF data. Perfect for matching real-world site photography with your 3D GIS environment.
Who is BlenderGIS For?
Transform raw geographic data into stunning 3D visualizations across multiple professional industries.
Urban Planning & Architecture
Architects use BlenderGIS to place BIM models into real-world contexts. By importing OSM building footprints and terrain topography, you can visualize shadow impacts and urban density with millimeter precision.
- ✔ Contextual Site Analysis
- ✔ 3D City Massing Models
- ✔ Accurate Sunlight & Shadow Studies
Environment Design for Games & Film
VFX artists and level designers leverage SRTM and GeoTIFF data to generate massive 3D landscapes. It provides the perfect foundation for realistic open-world maps based on existing earth locations.
- ✔ Realistic Open-World Foundations
- ✔ High-Resolution Landscape Texturing
- ✔ Georeferenced Camera Matching
Scientific Visualization & Education
Geologists and researchers use the Delaunay triangulation and slope analysis tools to interpret geographic phenomena. Blender’s rendering engine brings scientific GIS data to life for presentations and papers.
- ✔ Geological Surface Modeling
- ✔ Hydrological Pattern Visualization
- ✔ 3D Print Ready Terrain Export
Technical Specifications
Data Format Support
BlenderGIS supports industry-standard geospatial data extensions for professional interoperability.
*Note: Some features like SRTM and Map Tiles require an active internet connection and free API keys from providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about BlenderGIS installation and usage.
Is BlenderGIS free to use for commercial projects?
Yes. BlenderGIS is released under the GPL-3.0 license. You can use it for personal, educational, and commercial 3D visualization projects without any licensing fees.
Does BlenderGIS work with Blender 5.0?
The latest stable release (v2.2.15) has been optimized for the Blender 4.x and 5.x API. Most core functions like Basemaps and OSM import work seamlessly in the latest versions.
Why can’t I see the satellite maps in the viewport?
This is often due to an incorrect Coordinate Reference System (CRS) setup or a missing API key. Since 2022, services like MapTiler and OpenTopography require a free API key to fetch high-resolution data.
How do I import 3D buildings with height data?
By using the OpenStreetMap (OSM) tool within the addon, you can select ‘Buildings’ and check the ‘Extrude’ option. BlenderGIS will then use the height or levels tags from OSM data to create 3D meshes.
Is an internet connection required?
An internet connection is required to fetch web-based data like satellite imagery and SRTM terrain. However, once the data is imported, you can work offline and save the data locally within your .blend file.
Seamless Data Source Integration
BlenderGIS acts as a universal hub for professional geospatial data providers. It connects your creative workflow to the world’s most reliable geographic databases through secure API protocols.
• Satellite Imagery Providers
Native support for Google Maps, Bing Aerial, Esri World Imagery, and custom WMS/WMTS tile servers for localized high-res data.
• Elevation & Terrain Databases
Connect to OpenTopography and NASA SRTM global datasets. Fetch digital elevation models with resolutions up to 30 meters or higher depending on the region.
• Vector Infrastructure
Leverage the OpenStreetMap (OSM) Overpass API to query massive urban datasets, including building heights, road classifications, and administrative boundaries.
Why API Integration Matters
- ✓ Global Coverage: Access data from any coordinate on Earth without manual searching.
- ✓ Precision: Data is automatically georeferenced to match your scene’s CRS.
- ✓ Up-to-Date: Fetch the latest infrastructure changes directly from OSM’s live servers.
- ✓ Customization: Add your own WMS servers for specialized government or military survey data.
Get Started in 4 Simple Steps
You don’t need to be a GIS expert to start creating. Here is how it works.
Download ZIP
Grab the latest stable release of BlenderGIS from our download section. Keep it as a .zip file—do not extract it.
Open Preferences
Inside Blender, navigate to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons and click the ‘Install’ button at the top right.
Enable Addon
Locate ‘3D View: BlenderGIS’ in the list and check the box to activate it. You will see a new ‘GIS’ menu appear in the 3D viewport.
Set Cache Path
Finalize by setting a Cache folder in the addon preferences to store your downloaded map tiles and elevation data.
Pro Tip: For the best performance with high-resolution imagery, ensure your hardware has at least 16GB of RAM and a dedicated GPU for handling large textures.
Open Source & Community Driven
BlenderGIS is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration. Developed primarily by domlysz and supported by a global community of contributors, this tool remains free and accessible to everyone.
Support the Creator: If you find BlenderGIS essential for your professional workflow, we highly encourage you to support the original development on GitHub or through official developer donation channels.
Recent Update Highlights
- Dec 2025 v2.2.15: MapTiler Coord Init Fix
- July 2025 Compatibility Patch for Blender 4.3
- Early 2025 Improved OSM Import Multi-threading
* Historical data based on public repository commits.
BlenderGIS vs Other Addons
How does BlenderGIS compare to other popular geospatial tools in the Blender ecosystem?
Verdict: BlenderGIS is the best choice for professional users who need real-world accuracy and deep GIS data integration. For users purely focused on stylized 3D city aesthetics, BlenderOSM may offer more visual detail, while Maps Models Importer is better for capturing existing 3D Google Earth meshes.
Trusted by the Creative Community
See why thousands of professionals integrate BlenderGIS into their 3D pipelines.
“BlenderGIS is a game-changer for urban visualization. Being able to pull OSM data and SRTM terrain directly into the viewport saved us dozens of hours on our last planning project.”
“The georeferencing accuracy is what impressed me most. I can import Shapefiles from QGIS and everything aligns perfectly. It’s the most professional GIS tool for Blender, hands down.”
“As a VFX artist, getting real-world topography for background mountains used to be a nightmare. Now I just use the SRTM fetcher. It’s fast, free, and incredibly reliable.”
Join over 50,000+ creators who have downloaded BlenderGIS to enhance their 3D GIS workflow.
Ready to Build Your 3D World?
Join thousands of professionals using BlenderGIS to bridge the gap between geographic precision and creative 3D artistry. 100% Open Source and ready for Blender 5.0.