Download BlenderGIS Addon
Get the latest stable release of the premier GIS toolset for Blender. Free, open-source, and ready for professional use.
Version 2.2.15
Released on Dec 21, 2025 | For Blender 2.83 – 5.0+
Checksum (SHA-256): 181a6040de98c0e4a1195b6a0db21206829674e24f76aabf03792f624843f9d6
Official Version History
Verified stable releases synchronized with the official BlenderGIS repository.
Version Selection Guide
For Blender 4.2 and higher, we recommend v2.2.12 or newer to avoid MapTiler API errors. Users on Apple Silicon must use at least v2.2.10 for stable ImageIO support.
Step-by-Step Installation
Follow these steps to correctly initialize BlenderGIS in your environment.
1 Standard Plugin Installation
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons.
- Click Install… and select the
BlenderGIS-2.2.15.zipfile. - Find “3D View: BlenderGIS” in the list and enable the checkbox.
2 Configure Cache Folder
Important: BlenderGIS needs a place to store downloaded map tiles and elevation data.
- In the addon preferences, find the Cache folder setting.
- Select a persistent folder on your local drive (not a temporary folder).
Common Configuration Fixes
MapTiler/OpenTopography API Keys
Modern GIS services require an API key. Register for free at MapTiler.com and paste your key into the Addon Preferences > Basemaps section.
Coordinate System (CRS) Setup
When prompted, use Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) for web tiles or your local UTM zone for high-precision engineering projects.
Troubleshooting Common Errors
Solving the most frequent technical hurdles during setup and data import.
Error: “struct.error: unpack requires a buffer of 4 bytes”
Top Search
Cause: Usually occurs on macOS (Apple Silicon) or when the downloaded cache file is corrupted.
Solution: Update to BlenderGIS v2.2.15. Clear your cache folder and ensure the “ImageIO” library is correctly initialized in the addon preferences.
Error: “HTTP Error 403: Forbidden”
Cause: The tile server (like Google or Esri) is blocking the request due to missing API keys or excessive requests.
Solution: Obtain a free API key from MapTiler or OpenTopography. Enter the key in the Addon Preferences under the ‘Basemaps’ or ‘Elevation’ section.
Error: “No module named ‘requests'”
Cause: Blender’s internal Python environment is missing the ‘requests’ library.
Solution: BlenderGIS usually bundles this, but if it fails, you may need to install it manually using pip within Blender’s Python directory or reinstall a clean version of Blender.
Issue: GIS Menu not appearing
Cause: The addon was extracted before installation or has a folder naming conflict.
Solution: Delete the BlenderGIS folder from your addons directory. Re-install using the .zip file directly via the Blender ‘Install’ button. Do not rename the zip file.
Can’t find your error? Check the GitHub Issues Tracker for active community support and bug reports.
System Requirements & Prerequisites
Ensure your workstation meets these specifications for a smooth geospatial modeling experience.
🖥️ Hardware Recommendations
- RAM: 16GB (Minimum) | 32GB+ (Recommended for large LIDAR/DEM)
- GPU: Dedicated NVIDIA/AMD with 4GB+ VRAM (For high-res textures)
- Storage: SSD highly recommended for fast cache tile reading
- Internet: High-speed connection required for fetching remote geodata
⚙️ Software Environment
- OS: Windows 10/11, macOS 12+, or Linux (64-bit)
- Blender: v2.83 through v5.0 (Latest v2.2.15 recommended)
- Python: Uses Blender’s internal Python (No separate install needed)
- Dependencies: Pre-bundled NumPy and Requests (Included in ZIP)
Note on Python Libraries: While BlenderGIS is self-contained, certain advanced functions like GDAL integration may require manual environment path configuration if you are using a custom external Python interpreter.
Pro Tip: After installation, press F3 and search for “GIS” to quickly verify if the module has loaded into your workspace.
Extensive Format Support
BlenderGIS is not just a downloader; it is a powerful bridge that interprets complex geodata formats into 3D geometry. Whether you are working with satellite rasters or municipal vector data, BlenderGIS handles the heavy lifting of georeferencing.
Integrated Web Services
The download includes native connectors for high-quality remote sensing data:
- OpenTopography: Global 30m & 90m DEM data.
- Google/Bing/Esri: High-res satellite imagery basemaps.
- Overpass API: On-demand OSM vector queries.
- MapTiler: Advanced vector tiles and coordinate search.
Official Support & Learning
Master the full potential of BlenderGIS with these professional resources.
Official Wiki
Comprehensive guides on georeferencing, coordinate systems, and mesh creation workflows.
Read Docs →Bug Tracker
Report technical issues, request new features, or check the status of current bug fixes.
View Issues →Community Forum
Join the discussion on Blender Artists to share your GIS projects and get workflow tips.
Join Discussion →Contributing to BlenderGIS
Are you a Python developer? Help improve the project by submitting a Pull Request on GitHub.