# Ardoise - 3D Drawing — 3D modeling by drawing

> Generate 3D models from hand-drawn depth images. (iPhone/iPad app by Faustine Maffre.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ardoise-3d-drawing/id1542582843 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Faustine Maffre](https://appshunter.io/developer/1542582845)
- Category: Graphics & Design
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.10/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France)
- Released: 2020-12-06
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ardoise-3d-drawing/id1542582843/reviews.md

## What is Ardoise?

"Depth mapping" is the process of extracting a grayscale image, in which colors indicate the distance from the point of view, from a 3D model.
With Ardoise, we reverse this technique to generate a 3D model from a depth image that you draw directly in the app.

First, sketch the outline of your shape, then paint depth on both of its sides and watch your 3D model form in real-time. You can go back to the outline to adjust it at any time, then continue to paint.

For complex objects, Ardoise allows you to create and manage separate shapes, which can be edited independently while being rendered at the same time on the same model. 

Each side of each shape holds its own depth bounds that can be tweaked on-the-fly: the minimal depth for farthest points, and the maximal depth for closest points.

The resulting 3D model can be exported to OBJ and STL formats to further refine it, use it in your creations or print it!

More features:
- Apple Pencil support (Apple Pencil recommended!)
- iOS Files app integration
- PNG and JPEG images import into your depth image
- Brushes with customizable size, opacity, hardness and flow
- Horizontal, vertical or quadrant symmetry
- Effects: invert colors, flip sides, copy side, "cushion" effect, brightness/contrast
- Mesh smoothing
- Rendering in solid or wireframe mode
- Left-hand or right-hand mode, fullscreen drawing or 3D model

This app is made with love and passion by a non-professional illustrator who has troubles with the complexity of 3D modeling software. It is very young but will quickly grow!
In-app purchases are provided only to help development; every feature in the app is accessible for free.

Feel free to contact me at "hello@ardoiseapp.com" or on Twitter (@ArdoiseApp3D) if you ask yourself any question, find a bug, think about a feature, or just want to share your creations!

## Key features

- 3D model generation from depth images
- Real-time model formation
- Independent shape editing
- OBJ and STL export
- Apple Pencil support
- Image import for depth maps
- Customizable brushes and effects

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Buy me a croissant | $0.99 | one-time |
| Buy me a tea | $1.99 | one-time |
| Buy me a beer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Buy me a pizza with extras | $17.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ardoise-3d-drawing/id1542582843/reviews.md

### 2/5 — can’t export

*2024-01-24*

when choosing what to export as, the download menu immediately disappears! please fix it, this app has a lot of potential and i was looking forward to using it

### 3/5 — Interesting idea, need to fix bug

*2023-11-09*

On ipad air gen 5, export does not work. The export window immediately disappears after clicking.

### 1/5 — Need a tutorial

*2021-10-30, version 1.4*

This needs a tutorial or video

**Developer response:** Hi! 

I am sorry you are having problems with the app, and while I try my best to make it easy to use, I know that it can be quite unclear the first time around.
This may help: on the top-right (when you have created/opened a file), tap the settings button (the gear), and then open the 'Help' section at the bottom. Here, you will find a basic tutorial and more notes on specific features of the app. 
Also, here is a link to a video: 
https://youtu.be/Ftchu95Sl3c
It is more of a demo video than a tutorial, but this can also help.

I really hope this can help you and that you will be able to use the app.

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2021-08-11, version 1.2*

You can do so much stuff on here and it is easy and useful

**Developer response:** Thanks a lot!! I am glad you enjoy it.
If you want to share your creations, you can send them to my Twitter account. I will be more than happy to see them!

### 1/5 — Horrible

*2021-07-28, version 1.2*

Can’t draw anything on here what a waste.

**Developer response:** Hi!
I am sorry that you are having problems with the app. It is young and surely not perfect!
Maybe this can help you: if you are not using an Apple Pencil, you should go to Settings and switch off “Draw with Apple Pencil”. This will allow you to use your finger to draw. 
I hope this will help you!

## Frequently asked questions about Ardoise

### How does Ardoise create 3D models?

Ardoise reverses depth mapping techniques. You sketch an outline and then paint depth on its sides, allowing the 3D model to form in real-time.

### Can I edit complex objects in Ardoise?

Yes, Ardoise allows you to create and manage separate shapes for complex objects. These shapes can be edited independently while being rendered together on the same model.

### What file formats can I export my 3D models to?

You can export your resulting 3D models to OBJ and STL formats. This allows for further refinement in other software or for 3D printing.

### Does Ardoise support Apple Pencil?

Yes, Ardoise has Apple Pencil support, and it is recommended for the best drawing experience. The app also offers left-hand or right-hand modes.

### What are the brush options in Ardoise?

Ardoise offers brushes with customizable size, opacity, hardness, and flow. It also includes effects like inverting colors, flipping sides, and adjusting brightness/contrast.

### Is Ardoise suitable for beginners in 3D modeling?

The app is designed for users who find traditional 3D modeling software complex. It aims to provide a more intuitive, drawing-based approach to 3D creation.

### How often is Ardoise updated?

The app was last updated on February 8, 2022, to version 1.5. The developer indicates it is a young app that will grow quickly.

### What is the age rating for Ardoise?

Ardoise has an age rating of 4+. It is available for iPad devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2022-02-08

Here comes version 1.5!

New features:
- The 3D model can now be smoothed to make it less angular! You can set a smoothing factor for a shape (look next to the depth sliders below the model), and continue working on the smoothed version. It is also possible to change or cancel the smoothing at any time. 
- In addition of the right-handed and left-handed mode, you can now put the drawing or the model in fullscreen to show your creations in all their glory!
- A warning is now shown in case of isolated points (points not belonging to any face) in the 3D model.
- Speaking of warnings, if they annoy you, you can now simply reduce them to a small, almost not visible square (and show them again whenever you want).
- An option to clear all pixels of a shape (without removing the shape itself) has been added to the shapes menu.
- STL is now exported in binary format, which means that the export is faster and the files produced are smaller.

Fixed issues:
- Small optimizations and improvements.

### 1.4 — 2021-10-23

Version 1.4 is here!

New features:
- Left-hand drawing mode, with the drawing area on the left and 3D model on the right, can now be enabled in settings! I hope this will be more comfortable for left-handed people.
- New effect available: brightness and contrast adjustment. Don't be afraid of the dark.
- The eyedropper now shows a small circle with the current color just above your finger. (To trigger the eyedropper: in paint mode, tap somewhere on the drawing with your finger, release immediately, then tap again and maintain.)

Fixed issues:
- Fixed drawing tool bar too tall in portrait on smaller screens. 
- Fixed eyedropper difficult to trigger.
- Fixed eyedropper registering an undo action each time you move your finger (now registers one action at the end only).
- Other small optimizations and improvements.

### 1.3 — 2021-08-27

Get ready for version 1.3!

New features:
- The application is available in French! You can now draw a baguette in 3D.
- Portrait mode is now available! Don't be stuck in landscape anymore.
- The app will now ask you whether you use an Apple Pencil or not the first time you (re-)open it. If you were already using the app, simply choose the option you were working with before the update and keep on going. (It can always be changed in settings anyway!)

Fixed issues:
- Fixed an issue where a shape wouldn't completely be removed from the 3D scene when there was multiple shapes and some were not rendered.
- Other small optimizations and improvements.

### 1.2 — 2021-06-30

Version 1.2 is available! What's new?

Mainly:
- Real-time mirror drawing is just one tap away! You can now enable horizontal, vertical, or quadrant symmetry.
- You can now choose some shapes to be semi-visible in the drawing area, even when they are not selected. This can typically provide a visual guide for your current shape's outline.

More new features: 
- Double tap on Apple Pencil 2 now switches between draw and erase tools in edit mode.
- Brushes strokes were improved, and won't create "peaks" anymore when drawing in low hardness.
- Other small optimizations and improvements.

### 1.1 — 2021-03-18

The new version is finally here!

The two main highlights of this release:
- In edit mode, the 3D model now updates itself in real-time, just like in paint mode! No "commit edited points" anymore, no progress bar to restrain your creativity, just edit and paint to your heart's desire!
- A never-before-seen feature: you can now undo and redo your actions! Do not worry about mistakes anymore.

More new features: 
- The scene can now be rendered in solid mode or in wireframe mode.
- Statistics of the 3D model (vertices and faces) are now displayed in a corner of the scene. If you don't like them, you can hide them in settings.
- As you have seen with the new screenshots, background hue is now fully customizable.
- Many optimizations and (not so many) bug fixes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*