Da Vinci Eye, a trailblazing AR art projector app, leverages Vision Pro’s passthrough feature to overlay reference images onto any surface, revolutionizing how artists sketch and paint. Ideal for illustrators, muralists, and hobbyists, it eliminates the need for physical projectors or awkward phone stands. The app supports diverse mediums, from canvas painting to cake decorating, and aids accessibility for visually impaired artists through its intuitive interface.
How to Use It:
-
Setup: Download Da Vinci Eye from the visionOS App Store and grant camera permissions for passthrough functionality.
-
Choose a Reference: Upload a reference image from your device or select from the app’s library. Adjust opacity to balance visibility between the overlay and your canvas.
-
Trace and Create: Position your Vision Pro to align the semi-transparent overlay with your physical surface. Use the Strobe tool to flicker the reference, helping you compare color values for hyper-realistic results. For murals, connect to a hotspot for outdoor use without lighting concerns.
-
Tips: Experiment with the grid feature for precise proportions, especially for large-scale projects. Save progress to revisit complex pieces, ensuring seamless workflow integration.
This app shines for its ability to merge digital precision with analog creativity, making it a must-have for artists seeking accuracy without sacrificing spontaneity.
Procreate Dreams: Animating in a 3D Space
Procreate Dreams, an extension of the beloved iPad app, brings its intuitive drawing and animation tools to visionOS, tailored for spatial computing. Artists can create 2D animations and illustrations in a 3D environment, leveraging Vision Pro’s hand-tracking and eye-tracking for fluid control. Its robust brush library and layer system make it a favorite for illustrators and animators transitioning to mixed reality.
How to Use It:
-
Getting Started: Install Procreate Dreams via the visionOS App Store. Open the app in Shared Space to keep your surroundings visible or switch to Full Space for immersion.
-
Sketch and Animate: Use hand gestures to select brushes and draw directly in 3D space. Pinch to zoom or rotate your canvas for dynamic perspectives. Create animations by adding keyframes on the timeline, adjusting motion with intuitive drag-and-drop controls.
-
Collaboration: Export projects as PSD files to integrate with Photoshop or share with clients via iCloud for feedback.
-
Tips: Customize brushes for unique textures and use the onion-skinning feature to refine frame-by-frame animations. The app’s responsive interface makes it ideal for both quick sketches and complex storyboards.
Procreate Dreams empowers artists to explore animation in a spatial context, blending traditional techniques with Vision Pro’s immersive capabilities.
Reality Composer Pro: Building 3D Worlds
Reality Composer Pro, bundled with Xcode, is a powerful tool for designers crafting 3D content for visionOS apps. It allows artists to import, organize, and preview 3D models, materials, and sounds, creating immersive scenes for games, visualizations, or interactive experiences. Its integration with RealityKit ensures assets are optimized for Vision Pro’s rendering capabilities.
How to Use It:
-
Setup: Access Reality Composer Pro through Xcode on a Mac. Import 3D assets (e.g., USDZ files) from platforms like Blender or your own designs.
-
Build Scenes: Arrange models in a 3D space using drag-and-drop controls. Add materials and lighting effects to enhance realism. Use the app’s preview mode to test how assets appear in Vision Pro’s Shared Space.
-
Integrate with Apps: Export scenes to RealityKit for use in custom visionOS apps or Unity projects. Test interactions like object manipulation or physics simulations.
-
Tips: Leverage ARKit’s Scene Reconstruction to anchor designs to real-world surfaces. Experiment with Dynamically Foveated Rendering for smoother performance on complex models.
This tool is ideal for designers building spatial experiences, offering a seamless bridge between 3D design and visionOS deployment.
Adobe Fresco: Painting with Spatial Depth
Adobe Fresco, a staple for digital painters, has been adapted for visionOS, bringing its watercolor and oil painting tools to a 3D canvas. With Vision Pro’s precise hand-tracking, artists can mimic natural brushstrokes in a spatial environment, creating artwork that feels tactile and immersive. Its integration with Adobe Creative Cloud ensures seamless workflows across devices.
How to Use It:
-
Installation: Download Adobe Fresco from the visionOS App Store. Sign in with your Adobe account for Creative Cloud access.
-
Painting in 3D: Select from Fresco’s realistic brushes (e.g., watercolor, acrylic) and paint directly in a 3D volume. Use eye-tracking to adjust canvas angles without breaking your flow.
-
Layer Management: Organize artwork with layers and blend modes, accessible via intuitive hand gestures. Export to Photoshop for further editing.
-
Tips: Use the app’s wet-brush effects to simulate real-world painting dynamics. Test in Full Space for a distraction-free studio experience.
Fresco’s blend of traditional painting techniques with spatial computing makes it a versatile choice for artists exploring mixed reality.
Runway ML: AI-Driven Design Innovation
Runway ML’s visionOS app harnesses AI to enhance creative workflows, offering tools for image generation, video editing, and custom styling. Its cloud-based platform, accessible via Vision Pro, supports artists in creating high-quality visuals with minimal effort, from concept art to polished prototypes. The app’s Gen-3 Alpha technology ensures stunning results across devices.
How to Use It:
-
Access: Install Runway ML from the visionOS App Store. Log in to access cloud-based features (plans start at $12/month).
-
Create with AI: Use the Generative Fill tool to expand images or the Multi-Motion Brush to animate specific elements. Input text prompts for custom image styles or video effects.
-
Collaborate: Share projects with team members via cloud storage, enabling real-time feedback in Shared Space. Export assets for use in other visionOS apps.
-
Tips: Experiment with Act-One for character animations or Generative Audio for sound design. Optimize workflows by testing on smaller canvases before scaling to 4K.
Runway ML’s AI tools empower designers to iterate quickly, making it a game-changer for rapid prototyping and creative exploration.
Why These Apps Matter
These visionOS apps showcase the potential of spatial computing for artists and designers, offering tools that blend precision, creativity, and immersion. Da Vinci Eye simplifies tracing, Procreate Dreams animates in 3D, Reality Composer Pro builds immersive worlds, Adobe Fresco elevates painting, and Runway ML accelerates ideation with AI. Together, they enable creators to push boundaries, whether crafting murals, animations, or interactive experiences. As Vision Pro adoption grows, these apps position artists at the forefront of a new creative era, where the physical and digital converge seamlessly.
