# PreviewAR - Film & TV Toolkit — Your On-Set VFX Viewfinder

> Augmented reality toolkit for viewing 3D models in real-world film and TV production. (iPhone/iPad app by Toby Duffy.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/previewar-film-and-tv-toolkit/id1272987067 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Toby Duffy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1272987066)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 73 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-09-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/previewar-film-and-tv-toolkit/id1272987067/reviews.md

## What is PreviewAR?

Used by global productions like Frankenstein, Foundation, Wicked and many more, PreviewAR accelerates previsualization on your next show.

Made for independent studios and used by world-renowned production companies, PreviewAR is the easiest way to view your 3D characters and objects in the real world using technology you already have. Use it for accurate location scouts or to test animated pre-viz in pre-production, or on the day to check set extensions, animated characters and realistic scene previews you can share with clients, cast and crew.

PreviewAR supports most major 3D file formats (including OBJ, USDZ, USD, DAE and FBX) or drop in 2D image cards to block out set extensions and reference frames. Download now and see your animated, textured characters and objects live on set.

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"PreviewAR provides a wonderful shortcut to viewing a 3D asset and sharing that experience with others in the room, without need for a headset. Its application on a sound stage is quite amazing - it's allowed us to quickly see a potential set build without harming the budget."
Art Director, Painting Practice
--------------------------------

IMMERSIVE & ACCURATE
PreviewAR uses real-world scale to show your models as accurately as possible. Every simulated lens frames at its exact field of view, so what you frame on the device is what the camera sees. With people and environment occlusion, your models are deeply incorporated into the scene, and the full-screen AR display means your set can come alive right before your eyes. Simulate a lens wider than your device's camera and your 3D scene extends beyond the live feed for true ultra-wide framing.

CLEAN & INTUITIVE
The on-screen controls let you adjust every aspect of the scene without getting in the way. Aim the key light and trim its brightness, scale models, set a model's origin point for precise pivots, and fine-tune positions with the Adjustment Wheel. Live on-screen readouts show focal length, camera tilt, height, frame rate and aspect ratio as you move. The interface can be hidden entirely for a completely immersive experience by tapping any empty area of the scene.

SECURE & PRIVATE
There are no external servers or processing involved with PreviewAR, every model you import stays on your device and isn't uploaded or downloaded anywhere else. Perfect for NDA-restricted or sensitive assets that can't be uploaded to other cloud-based products.

PreviewAR offers a Pro subscription for advanced features tailor-made for those on-set, including:
- Camera & Lens Simulation: Choose from 500+ cinema camera formats with spherical & anamorphic lens options, or add your own custom setup.
- Image Anchors: Lock an entire scene to a real-world marker and reload it in exactly the same place, every time, ideal for resuming a setup on a stage or location. Capture a marker with your camera, or use the ready-to-print markers included.
- Multiple Models: Build a full scene from several textured, animated models at once.
- Collaborative Sessions: Multiple devices share one AR scene in real time. Give your Directors, DOPs and clients a device to view and frame the scene through while you make edits. Updated instantly across up to 4 devices, no internet connection required.
- Scene Saving & GPS Anchors: Save an entire scene and reload it in the same spot, or anchor it to a real-world GPS location and recall it on the day.
- Clean Plates & Camera Track: Capture ProRes clean plates and export scene + environment geometry and a camera track for later reference and pipeline integration.
- and many more!

Questions or suggestions? Feel free to contact me:
support@previewar.app

## Key features

- Real-world scale AR visualization
- Support for OBJ, USDZ, DAE, FBX
- On-set scene previews
- Camera and lens simulation
- Real-time collaborative sessions
- Scene recording and snapshots

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PreviewAR Pro Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| PreviewAR Pro Yearly | $44.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/previewar-film-and-tv-toolkit/id1272987067/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Fun :)

*2025-10-01*

This app is super fun to play around with, big fan

### 4/5 — Meh…

*2024-03-08*

This is pretty good, 4 out of 5.

### 5/5 — The App works

*2023-03-11, version 5.1*

The app definitely works now. I haven’t seen an out of the box AR viewer function this well, with these kinds of options with this level of stability. I’m thoroughly impressed.

### 5/5 — Jxcj

*2022-10-22*

Hehe

### 5/5 — Very useful!

*2020-11-21*

Lots of options to choose from

### 3/5 — Crashes always after last iOS Update

*2020-10-22*

Please fix. I love this App.

**Developer response:** I’m so sorry to hear this! Can you please email me at support@previewar.app with some details and I can figure out what’s happening and fix this for you!

### 4/5 — great possibilities but 3D import is too limited

*2020-07-15*

I love the idea to be able to preview 3D object and record small FX movies so 4 stars to encourage the programmer.

He is responsive and after few days and a new update OBJ with mtl with multi textures color, normal... can now properly be displayed. 

As some other 3D viewer, a zip import with obj, mtl and textures embedded could be great if 3D importer compatibility is improved.

 I will prepare few more objets and test paid version but it looks already promising. 

When filming I would love a CSV export option containing the XYZ camera position and rotation to import in Unity or Blender to render HQ 3D model in post prod. It would be like having an Ncam system with an iPad :-)

**Developer response:** Hey mate, thanks so much for this feedback! It’s not good that your FBX files are failing and that you have to resort to OBJ + texture files, can you email me at support@previewar.app and we can figure out what’s going on? All of my test files are animated and textured and are working fine so I’d like to make sure yours work too for the next update. 
Also support for Normal maps, bump maps, etc are all on the roadmap, stay tuned! Thanks for the support ~Toby.

### 5/5 — Awesome App! Fantastic Developer

*2017-11-19*

Meets all my expectations and more. Toby is wonderful!

### 1/5 — Fake app

*2017-09-25, version 1.0*

This app is a scam it just wants your money it doesn’t even do AR at all the screenshots are fake or something

## Frequently asked questions about PreviewAR

### What is PreviewAR used for?

PreviewAR is an augmented reality toolkit designed to help film and TV professionals visualize 3D models and characters in real-world environments. It's used for location scouting, pre-visualization, and on-set previews to share with clients and crew.

### What 3D file formats does PreviewAR support?

PreviewAR supports major 3D file formats including OBJ, USDZ, DAE, and FBX. This broad compatibility allows users to import a wide range of assets for visualization.

### Does PreviewAR have ads?

No, PreviewAR does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases for advanced features.

### How does PreviewAR ensure privacy for sensitive assets?

PreviewAR is designed with security and privacy in mind. All imported models remain on your device, with no external servers or processing involved, making it suitable for NDA-restricted assets.

### What are the benefits of the Pro subscription for PreviewAR?

The Pro subscription unlocks advanced features like camera and lens simulation with over 200 cinema formats, real-time collaborative sessions for up to 4 devices, live data feeds, and scene recording for pipeline integration.

### How much does PreviewAR Pro cost?

PreviewAR Pro is available through subscription plans: $7.99 per month or $44.99 per year. Both plans offer a 7-day free trial.

### What devices is PreviewAR compatible with?

PreviewAR is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It utilizes augmented reality technology available on these platforms.

### How often is PreviewAR updated?

The latest version of PreviewAR is 5.4.7, last updated on March 19, 2026. This indicates a commitment to regular updates and improvements for the application.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.5.2 — 2026-08-17

5.5.2 fixes a few small bugs that have been reported and added some small features:
• Better animation control when recording
• Key light azimuth & intensity adjustment
• Ground plane adjustment per-model
• Lens simulation edge case fixes 
• Object outline fixed in ultra-wide view
• Fixed initial preview of animated USDZ models
• Various other minor fixes and UI/UX polish

Questions or ideas? support@previewar.app

### 5.5.1 — 2026-07-02

5.5.1 makes markers easier to create and squashes a batch of bugs:
• Capture a Marker with Your Camera (Pro): No printed marker handy? Open the Anchors page, frame any flat object such as a card, label or sticker, and PreviewAR measures its real-world size and adds it to your Anchors library, ready to lock a scene to.
• Tidier Settings: A refreshed Settings screen with quicker Close and Add buttons and a cleaner camera and import layout. Frame Rate and Ultra-Wide Angle now sit together in Recording Settings.
• USDZ model fixes when Y is Up would sometimes be ignored.
• Various other fixes, polish and performance improvements.

Questions or ideas? support@previewar.app

### 5.5.0 — 2026-06-27

This update adds powerful new ways to load and frame your scenes:
• Image Anchors: Save and reload a whole scene from a printed marker. A new Anchors page in Settings comes with ready-to-print PreviewAR markers (or import your own). Choose Snap Once to lock placement and remove the marker, or Keep Tracking to have the scene follow it as it moves.
• Ultra-Wide Framing: Simulate a lens wider than your device camera and your 3D scene now extends past the live feed instead of clipping for true ultra-wide composition. Plus experimental ultra-wide snapshots (switch on in Advanced Settings).
• Edit Model Origin: Set a model's origin point so it rotates and scales around the exact area you want.
• More Cinema Cameras
• Various bug fixes + performance improvements

Questions or ideas? support@previewar.app

### 5.4.9 — 2026-06-09

Lots of bug fixes:
- Improved GPS location accuracy when placing a scene
- Improved video timecode accuracy
- Fixed layout issues when rotating some devices
- Fixed black screen when dismissing initial tutorial
- Fixed a broken permission prompt when tapping the snapshot button

### 5.4.8 — 2026-05-27

- New 3D axis arrows overlay when translating models
- New Sony & RED cameras added to the library
- Improved texture, colour and surface handling for DAE, FBX, OBJ and USDZ files.
- Lots of stability & bug fixes, thanks to your reports!

Thank you for reporting your issues!
Email support@previewar.app with any issues or feedback.

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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 2026-08-25.*