For years, creative professionals have yearned for a way to use the powerful 3D creation suite Blender on Apple’s popular iPad tablet. Blender is free, open source software that allows users to create impressive 3D art, animations, visual effects, and more. However, it has traditionally only been available for desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The lack of Blender support on mobile platforms like iOS has been deeply frustrating for digital artists who want to create 3D content on the go with their iPads. But new developments in 2023 have brought hope that the ability to use Blender for iPad is closer than ever.
The Quest for Blender for iPad
Creative iPad users have long searched for good alternatives to desktop 3D modeling programs like Blender. Apps like Shapr3D, Morpholio Trace, and Formit 360 provide some 3D modeling capabilities but lack the advanced features and flexibility of Blender.
For several years, artists interested in using Blender on the iPad resorted to imperfect workarounds:
- Using remote desktop software to control a Blender install on a Mac or PC from the iPad
- Using cloud gaming services like Shadow or GeForce Now to stream a virtual desktop with Blender to the iPad
- Finding limited blender functionality in 3D engines like Unity that can publish to iOS
But all of these options came with significant limitations. Remote desktop and game streaming rely on strong internet connections. Cloud services have subscription fees. And mobile 3D engines just can’t match the mature toolset of Blender.
iPad users made it clear on forums like Reddit that having a native Blender app on the iPad was a highly demanded feature. But the Blender foundation focused development on the desktop version of the software.
Signs of Progress in 2022
In 2022, a few developments emerged that gave iPad users hope for eventually running Blender natively on their tablets.
First, at Apple’s WWDC event in June, it announced Stage Manager – a new multitasking feature coming in iPadOS 16. Stage Manager enables more advanced windowing capabilities on the iPad, like resizable app windows and overlapping windows.
This addressed a key limitation preventing sophisticated desktop-class apps like Blender from coming to iPadOS. With more advanced multitasking, the iPad can now support apps that go beyond simple fullscreen mobile interfaces.
Next, the Blender foundation announced that it would refactor and modernize the software’s codebase for Blender 3.0 in 2022. With a refreshed code architecture, developing a touch-friendly interface for mobile platforms like iPadOS should be far easier.
Finally, Apple announced that iPadOS 16 will allow the iPad to function as a secondary display to Macs. This opens the possibility of using Blender on a Mac computer while viewing and manipulating the interface on the iPad’s touchscreen.
So while Blender remained desktop-only in 2022, important technological advancements brought hope for Blender on iPad in the future.
Blender Arrives on iPad in 2023!
At the start of 2023, the wait is finally over – Blender is now available on the iPad!
In January, developer Majic Jungle Software released their TestFlight beta of Blender for iPadOS. After signing up for the TestFlight beta and installing the app, iPad users can now enjoy the full functionality of Blender, optimized for iPadOS with touch and Apple Pencil support.
The beta includes all of Blender’s essential features like 3D modeling, rigging, animation, simulations, rendering, and more. It also provides access to Blender’s huge library of add-ons and extensions within the app.
Early testers report that the iPad version of Blender handles complex 3D scenes without any performance issues. The touch interface is intuitive and makes sculpting, painting, and animation a delight on the iPad’s screen.
With the new windowing capabilities of iPadOS 16, Blender’s interface can be resized and moved around just like on the desktop. The iPad’s cursor and keyboard support also allows for precise input, mimicking the desktop experience.
Of course, being a beta release, there are still some rough edges to smooth out. But the developers promise that the public release later in 2023 will provide a polished, stable Blender experience tailored for iPad users.
The arrival of Blender on the iPad unlocks a world of new creative possibilities. 3D artists can now model, animate, and render complete projects from start to finish on their iPads while on the go.
For creative professionals who use both a desktop and an iPad, having full Blender support across devices can significantly improve workflows. Blender projects can be worked on interchangeably from either the iPad or desktop.
Even hobbyists who have only used simple modeling apps on the iPad will now have access to the industry-standard toolset that Blender provides. The iPad’s touch interface makes advanced 3D creation more intuitive and accessible than ever.
How to Get Started with Blender for iPad
Here are the steps to start using Blender on your iPad once the full public release is available:
Install the App
Search for “Blender” on the App Store and install the Blender app. Majic Jungle’s release will be the official version supported by the Blender Foundation.
Get Familiar with the Interface
When launching Blender for the first time, take note of how the default windows are laid out. Get comfortable with navigation using direct touch, gestures, and Apple Pencil. Practice interacting with interface elements like menus, buttons, and shortcuts.
Complete the Tutorials
Dive into the tutorials included within Blender on iPad. These will teach core concepts like modeling, animating rigged characters, materials and textures, lighting, rendering, and more. Completing the tutorials ensures you grasp Blender’s essential workflows tailored for iPadOS.
Explore iPad-Optimized Features
Experiment with tools and features designed specifically for the iPad like touch navigation, Apple Pencil sensitivity, and iPad multitasking. See how snapping windows side by side with Stage Manager allows for powerful dual monitor-style workflows.
Sync Projects via Cloud Storage
Set up cloud syncing through iCloud, Dropbox, or similar services so projects seamlessly sync between Blender on the iPad and desktop. This allows picking up where you left off whether modeling on the couch or at your workstation.
Join Online Communities
Connect with other Blender on iPad users by joining communities like Reddit’s /r/BlenderiPad subreddit. Here you can get feedback, showcase your work, stay updated on the latest iPad-specific addons and tips.
Master Blender’s Capabilities
Now that you have Blender available on your favorite device, keep perfecting your skills. Explore and add to your knowledge of modeling, sculpting, materials, animation, physics, rendering, compositing, game design, and the many other capabilities Blender offers.
The release of Blender for iPad opens up limitless potential for a new era of mobile 3D creation. Have fun unleashing your creativity with Blender on your iPad!
