> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.colormass.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.colormass.com/building-blocks/integrations-and-plugins/blender-addon/install-and-update.md).

# Install and update

## Download the addon

On the platform, open the help menu (question mark icon) and choose **Download Blender Addon**. The version number is shown next to it. You get a zip file; you don't need to unpack it.

<figure><img src="https://1229207575-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fv3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq%2Fuploads%2F9ElSlcBY9flVSsGpj0yL%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=0f8e11d4-4294-4fd6-917c-75bc099270b8" alt="" width="368"><figcaption><p>Download Blender Addon</p></figcaption></figure>

## Install it in Blender

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Get Extensions

In Blender, open **Edit ▸ Preferences ▸ Get Extensions**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Install the downloaded zip file

Open the menu at the top right (⌄) and choose **Install from Disk…**.

Select the zip file you downloaded.

![The Install from Disk menu in Get Extensions](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/30AuOgnHwkI1UTK3eYY9/images/install-from-disk.png)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

The addon now appears among your installed extensions as **colormass Platform Interface**.

![The installed colormass extension](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/hF5dPAKlnBrFE1tgx5xL/images/installed-extension.png)

## Allow online access

The addon connects to the colormass platform over the internet, so Blender has to be allowed to go online. Make sure **Edit ▸ Preferences ▸ System ▸ Network ▸ Allow Online Access** is turned on.

![Allow Online Access in the System preferences](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/WMygdyPwhOgemUjqK6Bq/images/allow-online-access.png)

## Find the addon in Blender

Once installed, the addon shows its status at the bottom right of Blender's status bar: your name when you're logged in, and the texture size you work with. Click it to log in and to change your settings. See [*Getting started*](/building-blocks/integrations-and-plugins/blender-addon/getting-started.md).

![The colormass entry in Blender's status bar](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/78xDBVww9WeWWz40M39R/images/status-bar-entry.png)

## Update the addon

When a new version is available, a red **Install colormass \[Version]** button appears in the status bar, next to the colormass entry. Click it to download and install the new version. Blender shows the download's progress in the status bar, installs the update and tells you when the new version is running. You don't need to restart Blender.

![An available update in the status bar](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/CwHvLQBF43rYhNl6DkRT/images/status-bar-update.png)

The same offer appears at the top of the colormass popup, which opens when you click the colormass entry in the status bar.

![The update offer in the colormass popup](https://content.gitbook.com/content/v3R7xjvJcsIFNxg1zMmq/blobs/RaiojLqfOyFJe1Ab95Nd/images/popup-update.png)

You can also install an update by hand: download the new zip from the platform and install it again with **Install from Disk…**. It replaces the installed version.