Blender 2.8 is currently in beta stage shipping with many new features like Eevee real-time render engine, refreshed interface and here is how to source compile it on any Linux based operating system.

First, create a directory, where we will store the cloned source code and compile it.

Get Git and Development Tools

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt-get install git build-essential
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Fedora

sudo dnf install git
sudo dnf -y groupinstall "Development Tools"
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

CentOS

sudo yum install git
sudo yum -y groupinstall "Development Tools"
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
mkdir ~/blender-git

Set blender-git as the current directory

cd ~/blender-git

Cloning blender2.8 branch to the set directory from git.blender.org

Update: This article was written when Blender 2.8 was under development and the repository structure has changed below is the updated information.

git clone https://git.blender.org/blender.git # current repoCode language: PHP (php)
git clone https://git.blender.org/blender.git -b blender2.8 # repo when 2.8 was betaCode language: PHP (php)
cd blender
git submodule update --init --recursive
git submodule foreach git checkout master
Code language: PHP (php)
git submodule foreach git pull --rebase origin master
Code language: PHP (php)

Install all the required dependencies to compile Blender.

./build_files/build_environment/install_deps.sh

Dependencies are installed you can compile it

make

This should take some time; the processing speed depends on your hardware specification.

Exiting blender and going to the parent directory

cd ..

Launching Blender executable

./build_linux/bin/blender

Re-compiling new version

cd ~/blender-git/blender
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)
make update && make

Please feel free to email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions.

I compiled a list of software and services that I use to improve my workflow, here is the link to the list.

Darryl Dias

I’m Darryl. I’m a 3D Artist, Programmer and Linux enthusiast. On this site I share my insights, tips and tricks, tutorials, methods and best practices.