See exactly what changed in your Blender nodes

Node Differ

Ever append an updated node setup, only to realize you have no idea what was actually tweaked? Finding a single changed math operation, a swapped cable, or a shifted curve handle in a massive node tree can take hours.

Node Differ is a structural comparison engine that acts like a visual "diff" tool for Blender. Point it at an external .blend file, an auto-detected older version, or your local project history, and it instantly compares every single node, property, and connection to your active group.

🔥 Key Features

• 🔄 Smart Comparison Modes: Choose from three distinct comparison workflows to match your pipeline. Use Snapshot mode for built-in project history, Version mode to auto-match iteratively saved files (e.g., _v01, _v02), or Manual mode to pick any external .blend file.
• ⏪ Built-in Version Control: Acting as a "Git for Nodes," Snapshot mode lets you Commit permanent, hidden snapshots of your current node group with a custom message. You can also use Advanced Actions to Revert your active tree to any previous snapshot or Delete unwanted commits to keep your history clean.
  
• 🚦 Visual Highlighting: Instantly see Added (Green), Modified (Yellow), Impacted (Red), Muted (Purple), and Removed (Dark Gray) nodes right in your editor.
• 🔍 Deep Data Tracking: Catches microscopic changes in Nodes, Group Nodes, Float Curves, Vector mapping, Color Ramps, and interpolation modes.
• 👻 Ghost Nodes: Never lose track of deleted data. Removed nodes leave behind visual markers detailing their old connections and locations.
• 📊 Detailed Reports: The N-Panel breaks down exactly which inputs, outputs, and complex data shifted.

⚙️ Compatibility

Works flawlessly across Geometry Nodes, Shader Nodes, and Compositor Nodes for Blender 4.5+.

🚀 Node Differ - Quick Start

1. Install the Add-on

• Navigate to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons → Install.

• Select the downloaded ZIP file and click Enable.

2. Choose Comparison Mode & Reference Open the Node Differ panel and select your preferred workflow:

• 📄 Snapshot: Click Commit to save your current state, or select a previous commit from the Reference dropdown.

• ↻ Version: Click the Refresh icon to automatically link a previous version of your file (e.g., _v01).

• 📁 Manual: Click the folder icon to browse for an external .blend file and pick a reference node group.

3. Select Current Node Group

• In your scene, select the active node group you want to compare.

4. Run Compare

• Click Compare Nodes.

5. Read Highlights

• 🟢 Green = Added

• 🟡 Yellow = Modified

• 🟠 Orange = Impacted

• 🔴 Red = Removed

• 🟣 Purple = Muted

• 🔵 Blue = Renamed

Demo

About

The Node Differ addon allows to debug any changes of nodes for Blender 4.5 or higher.

License

You can use this tool in any of your projects (non-commercial or commercial).

You may not redistribute the geometry node group itself, for free or commercially.

Happy Noding... :)

Kuldeep Singh (3D Singh VFX)

Query / Support

Discord

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Updates

Released the Node Differ v3.0:

• Snapshot Mode: Introduced built-in version control to Commit, Revert, and Delete node group history directly within the project.

• Version Mode: Added automatic detection and matching for iteratively saved project files (e.g., _v01, _v02).

• Rename-Proof Tracking: History tracking now uses hidden UUIDs, ensuring snapshots stay linked even if node groups are renamed.

• Renamed Nodes: Added detection for internal node name changes, now highlighted in Blue (🔵).

• Overhauled UI Filters: Reorganized the Modification Filters into clean, collapsible categories (Core Structure, Math & Data, Shading & Limits, Toggles) for faster navigation.