Blender, the widely used open-source 3D creation software, is getting a tablet-first redesign, starting with full support for the iPad Pro. Here’s what to expect.
In a detailed post at the Blender Developer Blog, Head of Product Dalai Felinto says that while tablets have been around for a while, “only recently, thanks to increased processing power, have they started to serve as primary computing devices.”
He says Blender’s tablet push will include “Android and other graphic tablets in the future,” but the rollout is set to begin with the iPad Pro as they navigate UX challenges such as:
Single, full-screen window workflow.
Relatively small screen real estate.
No keyboard/mouse (out of the box, use should be optional).
Multi-input interface (touch + pen).
Limited processing power and battery.
Siloed file system.
Felinto also says that the company’s long-term goal is to offer the same experience on both desktop and tablets, but for now, the iPad Pro version will focus on basic object manipulation and sculpting, “followed by Grease Pencil and storyboarding,” leveraging the Apple Pencil capabilities.
... continue reading