Blender is a free, open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entire 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, motion tracking, and video editing. Originally released in 1998 and made open-source in 2002, Blender has evolved into a production-grade tool used by studios worldwide for everything from indie films to AAA games. The software's modal interface separates different aspects of 3D work (Object Mode for transforms, Edit Mode for geometry, Pose Mode for animation) while its node-based systems (Shader Editor, Compositor, Geometry Nodes) provide non-destructive, procedural workflows. A key mental model: Blender doesn't just store geometry—it stores a complete scene graph where objects, materials, lights, and cameras interact through layers of modifiers, constraints, and drivers, all unified by a real-time viewport that previews complex setups instantly.