How to use Blender on your iPad

Blender is one of the most widely used 3D programs on the World Wide Web! Since it is free, it is an extremely accessible and versatile tool for hobbyists and professionals alike. 

Traditionally, it is only available on Mac and PC, but what if you could use Blender on your iPad? This is where Astropad Studio comes in.

Mirror the full Blender desktop app on your iPad with Astropad Studio

Astropad Studio mirrors your desktop to your iPad so that you can build and sculpt using the precision of your Apple Pencil with 3D apps like Blender and ZBrush. 

• Mirror any desktop app on your iPad, not just Blender!
• Works with both Mac and PC
• Build your own shortcuts panel, custom gestures, and custom quick keys
• Connects over WiFi or USB cable

On-screen Quick Keys for Blender on iPad

Astropad Studio will come pre-loaded with common shortcuts and quick keys so you can get to creating as soon as possible.

Default quick keys for Blender

Along with general modifiers like ‘Shift’ and ‘Control’, Astropad Studio comes with the following pre-programmed quick keys specifically for Blender:

• Grab
• Scale
• Rotate

These quick keys are the most-used basic modifiers for manipulating the object(s) you currently have in your scene.

How to customize your quick keys for Blender

In Astropado Studio, the quick keys can be customized and rearranged from the Edit Shortcuts panel in the sidebar. → More about custom quick keys

There are two ways to use these Blender quick keys depending on whether you have an iPad older than a 2022 model. 

2022 or newer iPad Pro + Apple Pencil  2

1. Tap the quick key while your Blender object is selected.
2. Use the pencil to click and drag, scale, or rotate depending on the quick key used.

Any iPad older than 2022 

1. Tap the quick key while your Blender object is selected.
2. Utilize the “Hover” gesture in Astropad Studio by holding a finger down on the screen while using your pencil.
3. With the Hover gesture active, use the pencil to click and drag, scale, or rotate depending on the quick key used.

Both the sidebar and quick keys can be hidden or rearranged on your iPad’s screen so they don’t get in the way of your work.

Gesture Shortcuts for Blender on iPad

Astropad Studio supports gestures for pinching, panning, zooming, and rotating around Blender’s 3D workspace.

Default ‘Magic Gesture’ shortcuts

Astropad Studio includes finger/Pencil shortcuts called Magic Gestures available for commonly used shortcuts. These are the default gestures: 

• Two-finger tap: Undo 
• Three-finger tap: Redo
• One-finger + Pencil: Erase
• Two-finger + Pencil: Middle mouse button
• Three-finger + Pencil: Right mouse button

These gestures are customizable as well, so you can have full control over your workflow. → More about Magic Gestures

Get started today with Blender on your iPad

Get the most out of Blender with your iPad! Try out Astropad Studio with our free 14-day trial. No commitments, cancel any time. 

• Mirror any desktop app on your iPad
• Compatible with Mac and PC
• Build your own shortcut panel, custom gestures, and custom quick keys
• Utilize pressure-sensitive and precise sculpting and painting
• Connects over WiFi or USB cable

Want to learn more about using Blender on your iPad?

We have compiled a few basic tutorials that actively use Astropad Studio features like gestures and custom quick keys to help you get comfortable with the Astropad Studio workflow when it is paired with Blender on the iPad! Take a look at the posts below to learn more about key skills like basic lighting techniques, and UV Mapping:

• Create simple indoor lighting in Blender 3.0 using an iPad
• How to add texture to a 3D model using Blender, an iPad, and UV Mapping
• How to model a low-poly dog in Blender 3.0 on iPad