iPad-bound Blender arrival imminent, potentially serving as a must-have tool for every artist
Blender, the popular open-source 3D creation software, is set to make a significant leap into the world of mobile devices, with a native iPad Pro app in the works. The announcement, as of July 2025, does not yet have an official release date.
The new iPad Pro app, currently in development, will initially focus on sculpting and basic object manipulation. Future plans include the addition of features like the Grease Pencil and storyboarding. A live tech demo of this app will be showcased at SIGGRAPH 2025 in Vancouver, August 2025.
Following the SIGGRAPH demo, design workshops will take place at Blender HQ and the Blender Conference in September 2025. However, a stable release is still likely some distance off.
The new Blender interface on iPad Pro will boast a sleek sculpting workspace, a reimagined Tool Panel, and context-sensitive wheel menus. The core philosophy behind this development is that Blender users are Blender users, regardless of the device they're using.
The tech demo at SIGGRAPH 2025 will mark the debut of Blender running on a standalone tablet. The tablet interface will feature a curated helper overlay to keep essential shortcuts within easy reach, a single full-screen window with floating regions for context-specific tools, and sidebar tabs displayed using icons instead of text.
Menus on the tablet interface will be collapsed by default, and the new version of Blender is being adapted for iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. Development for Android tablets and other pen-enabled devices like Microsoft Surface Pro and Wacom MovinkPad 11 is also planned.
In addition to the iPad Pro app, there are updates to other 3D modelling software and apps for iPads on the horizon. Blender is actively seeking contributors to help with areas including touch gesture support, iOS file system integration, and OpenSubdiv on mobile platforms.
As Blender moves towards a touch-first interface, checking out the best drawing tablets could be worthwhile, as many could soon be compatible with the new interface. The free 3D software's foray into the world of mobile devices is set to redefine the landscape of 3D modelling, offering artists a more intuitive and adaptable platform for their creations.
Stay tuned for more updates following the Blender Conference 2025, where more live demos may be unveiled.
- The color of the user interface on the new iPad Pro app is yet to be announced.
- Blender's 3D creation software is set to offer a more intuitive platform for artists.
- Artists worldwide are eagerly awaiting the release of the native iPad Pro app.
- The new Blender interface will feature a sleek sculpting workspace for creative exploration.
- The reimagined Tool Panel in the iPad Pro app aims to provide seamless access to essential tools.
- Context-sensitive wheel menus will enhance the user experience in the mobile Blender app.
- The core philosophy behind the development of the iPad Pro app is user-centric, ensuring continuity across devices.
- A live tech demo of the new app will be showcased at SIGGRAPH 2025, highlighting its capabilities.
- Future plans for the iPad Pro app include the addition of features like the Grease Pencil and storyboarding.
- The curated helper overlay on the tablet interface keeps essential shortcuts within easy reach for efficient workflow.
- The new version of Blender will adopt a single full-screen window with floating regions for context-specific tools.
- Sidebar tabs displayed using icons instead of text simplify navigation in the tablet interface.
- Menus on the tablet interface will be collapsed by default, streamlining the user experience.
- Blender's foray into mobile devices may redefine the landscape of user interface (UI) design in the arts.
- The iPad Pro app is being adapted for Apple Pencil, enhancing the drawing and painting experience.
- Development for Android tablets and other pen-enabled devices is also planned, expanding the app's reach.
- Other 3D modeling software and apps for iPads are also due for updates in the near future.
- Blender welcomes contributions to help with areas like touch gesture support, iOS file system integration, and OpenSubdiv on mobile platforms.
- As Blender adapts to a touch-first interface, choosing the right drawing tablet could become essential for a smooth experience.
- The new mobile Blender app has the potential to revolutionize the way artists approach 3D modeling and animation.
- Interior-design professionals might find the new iPad Pro app useful for creating immersive 3D architectural visualizations.
- Cooking enthusiasts could soon explore new possibilities with 3D food modeling and animation, thanks to the new app.
- Wearables designers might benefit from creating lifelike 3D models of their fashion designs using the new iPad Pro app.
- Smart-home device developers might find value in creating visual 3D representations of their devices with the app.
- The new Blender app could help lifestyle bloggers create more engaging and immersive content, elevating their brand.
- Outdoor-living enthusiasts might use the new app for designing custom landscapes or 3D modeling their backyard decor ideas.
- The fashion-and-beauty industry could benefit from the app's capabilities in creating visually appealing 3D advertising content.
- Restaurants and chefs might use the app for creating captivating food presentations or demonstrating cooking techniques through animations.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts could find the new Blender app useful for visualizing their home improvement designs before implementation.
- Baking hobbyists might create 3D models of their recipes, helping them visualize and explain their processes more effectively.
- Global-cuisines enthusiasts could use the app to explore 3D culinary presentations of various cultural dishes from around the world.
- Gadget lovers might find the new Blender app helpful for creating 3D models of their favorite smartphones, gadgets, and smart-home devices.
- Data-and-cloud-computing professionals might leverage the app's capabilities for visualizing complex data structures more clearly.
- Technology experts, including those in artificial intelligence, might explore using the new Blender app for creating more lifelike 3D representations of their models or simulations.