# Shot Designer — user reviews > 175 indexed App Store user reviews of Shot Designer by Hollywood Camera Work SRL, rated 3.80/5 from 10 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shot-designer/id556342711/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shot-designer/id556342711.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 0 ## What do users think of Shot Designer? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface - 🎬 Excellent tool for shot planning and blocking - 📱 Seamless cross-device sync (iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC) - 🎨 Useful for visualizing camera movements and lighting setups - 📊 Ability to export to PDF and share with crew - 💼 Professional-grade features for filmmakers and cinematographers - 🎭 Director's viewfinder feature is valuable - ⚡ Quick workflow for pre-production planning - 🤝 Excellent customer support and responsiveness - 🎪 Comprehensive set of built-in props and lighting elements **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and white screen issues - 😞 App feels outdated and abandoned - 🔐 Login and account synchronization problems - 📱 Poor optimization for modern devices and screen sizes - ⚠️ Limited props and lighting equipment library - 💰 Pro version pricing feels high - 🚫 Cannot save scenes without Pro version - 🔄 Sync issues between devices - ⏱️ App lags and performance issues on iOS - 🎨 Outdated UI and graphics (iPhone 5S/7 era design) **Commonly reported bugs** - White screen of death on app launch - App crashes when adding image props - Login not working on iPhone devices - Cannot register due to UI form scrolling errors - Keyboard overlay blocking sign-in form - Sync deletes user work unexpectedly - Pro version purchase not recognized after updates - Cannot save designs to phone - App doesn't fill entire screen on modern devices - Lag when renaming scenes - Keyboard doesn't appear when naming files - Difficulty selecting objects when grouped closely together - App crashes on iPhone 6s and newer devices - Incompatibility with iOS 10.2 and later - Director's viewfinder doesn't save metadata to photo gallery - Cross-device sync losing work - Account login issues between iOS and desktop versions **Most requested features** - Apple Pencil integration for iPad - Import custom designs and elements - Drag-and-drop file import from Files app - More lighting instruments and props - PDF export functionality - Ability to import background images from Files app (not just Photos) - Copy and paste functionality - Assignable character names for multiple scenes - Moveable background images - Scene metadata for automatic camera labeling - Ability to reorder shots in Mac version - Undo functionality - iCloud sync support - Google Drive integration - Full-screen mode for modern iPhones - French language support - Spanish language support - Scene duplication feature - More than 5 pages available - Storyboard animation export - Audio/soundtrack integration - Script import capability - Hide individual objects instead of entire categories - Retina Display support for Mac - Real-time sync between devices ## Newest reviews (18 of 175) ### 2/5 — Can’t transfer between your iPad and PC *2026-01-25* I purchased in Apple Store and install the app on my iPad. I created an account but I can’t log in app, and therefore I wasn’t able to use it on my PC. There’s no any tutorials to troubleshoot. ### 3/5 — Importation d’éléments extérieurs. *2025-07-23, version 1.80.8* Excellent mais il manque une chose essentielle. L’importation depuis l’application fichier sur iPad en glisse dépose app côte à côte d’éléments externe. Ça ferai absolument la différence à l’utilisation ### 3/5 — Facing problem *2025-04-14* The app is really nice but i have been using from 2017 but now its lag in ios, i cant rename the scene and when i am going to save itin a folder and trying to name it, the keepad doesn't appear. Please fix the problem ### 2/5 — Bring in your own design *2025-01-03* If only there was a way to bring in your own designs as too many of the same things can be overwhelming and confusing at times so maybe a way to quickly be able to create your own elements will be a nice addition to it. ### 3/5 — Great App that Now Feels Outdated *2024-11-12* This app has been an essential to my workflow as a 2nd 2nd AD but it has been the same for years. It needs Apple Pencil integration that will turn it to a monster of shot designing BG Charting App for me and there should be more props and set tools. Exporting PDFs would be another key element. Hope it doesn’t get abandoned and I would be happy to rate it higher and pay for the premium! ### 4/5 — Couldn’t Buy Pro Version On App *2024-06-13* I like it but I couldnt buy the Pro Version. I had to go to the website, make an account and then log in. ### 4/5 — One of the best apps for a Film Director *2024-04-24* This app is great for designing character and camera movement, but it is definitely in need of an update. One ability I would like to have it the ability to import a background Image from the Files app not just the photo library. ### 2/5 — Good but stagnant *2023-10-23* This is a very good tool especially when it released 10 years ago. There isn’t another specialised tool for lighting plans that I know of, but it is incredibly limited. It feels like it is a bata not a full priced finished tool. It needs lots of work and expanded features. The core of this is extremely strong, but in its current state it could easily be replaced by a competitor with just a few more features. Don’t get it unless you’re working in film and don’t already have a method to making lighting plans. It’s for people who are new to lighting plans or need a simple quick basic way to make a basic plan ### 2/5 — App is old and outdated *2023-06-14, version 1.70.2* This app had so much potential, but developer focused on other products and let it slide. There have been extremely small updates to it, but other than that, it's really very very basic and a complete loss of an opportunity to create and keep updated an app which was revolutionary. ### 4/5 — Good app but not great *2023-02-23* Some let downs are if you want to share your design it’s $20 but I just take a screenshot. This app is good with props and everything I recommend ### 3/5 — Basic Features missing *2022-12-24* Great idea but basic features are missing. No photos can be added without using the directors viewfinder and basic copy & paste functionality is not supported. ### 4/5 — Please Update the App *2022-10-14* Please update the app for the latest iOS version and the latest large screen devices… It looks too older (vintage) on the latest device… ### 3/5 — Poor iphone app *2022-08-20* Desktop app is amazing, but iphone app is horrible, small, uncomfortable. ### 2/5 — Badly in need of an update *2022-07-22, version 1.60.12* While there are many undeniably useful and clever features, this app is in desperate need of an update. For one or two scenes it works great, but when prepping a longer film there are a few things that would save huge amounts of time: - assignable character names: writing every character in every scene is a huge time sink - moveable background images - Scene metadata for automatic camera labeling - ability to import custom elements! This would be HUGE and fix the problem of missing lighting units, etc The UI also feels ancient, which isn’t really an issue but a refresh would make using the app much more pleasant. ### 2/5 — Screen optimisation *2022-02-19* Where is full screen mode for iPhone 11? Horribly uncomfortable to work… ### 4/5 — Bien mais être encore mieux *2022-01-13, version 1.60.12* Cette application est vraiment géniale sur le concept, elle permet vraiment de pouvoir planifier nos valeur de cadre, mouvements de personnages, etc. Mais vraiment les développeurs faite une mise a jour esthétique de l’application car elle commence a faire vielle, mais aussi traduisez-la en Français s’il vous plaît. 😊 Merci. ### 3/5 — Many Flaws *2021-12-06* While the basic idea of this app is pretty cool, it leaves a lot to be desired. I‘d love to have more props accessible, UX could be better and in the mac desktop app, there‘s no way to reorder shots. Bummer. ### 3/5 — Crushes *2021-09-05* Crushes when add an image prop ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Now unusable *2025-04-27, version 1.80.8* Updated and now can’t save. Paid for an app that is now unusable. Will contact Apple as I’m sure this breaks some T&C. ### 1/5 — The login is not working on iPhone *2022-11-26, version 1.60.12* An excellent handy app, but it needs an update. Also, user login does not work on iPhone devices for mounts. ### 1/5 — Is this dead? *2022-11-22, version 1.60.12* It’s been more than a year since the last update, it still has the framing of an iPhone 7 and the graphics of an iPhone 5S. Is this dead or is there going to be a updated version with up-to-date UI, graphics, and additional assets? ### 1/5 — Always crashing *2022-05-30* Paid for the pro version and very dissatisfied. This app worked well for the first year but now in 2022 it crashes all the time and is virtually unusable. ### 1/5 — What Happened? *2021-10-07, version 1.60.12* Great tool I always use but recently there has been a glitch in the app where it doesn’t fill up the whole screen! Please fix! ### 1/5 — 어플 결제 *2021-06-23* 이전에 해당 어플을 유료결제 했는데 최근 업데이트와 함께 유료버전 기능이 없어졌습니다. 구입 내역에서도 확인되지 않는데, 결제 기간이 종료되었는지 아니면 오류 때문인지 조속히 확인 부탁드립니다. ### 1/5 — App does not work, terrible customer service-don’t buy *2020-04-22, version 1.52* I an unable to save my design to my phone. I was also unable to create an account through the app to get the desktop version. I am a film student and 4 other students in my cinematography class had the same issues. ### 1/5 — Impenetrable *2020-03-14, version 1.52* Doesn’t appear to work. No documentation. No tutorials. Nothing. There’s a link to “tutorial” videos but all links go to the same commercial. ### 1/5 — Registro *2020-02-16* Comprei a versão PRO para usar todos os recursos tanto no iPhone quanto no PC, mas não consigo registrar e baixei a versão do Windows pelo App e manda eu adquirir de novo a versão PRO outra vez. ### 1/5 — Not functional *2019-06-18, version 1.52* This app is no longer supported and is not functional. I would not trust them with your payment information for the full version. Missing functionality. Cannot register with them - UI bug prevents it. Very glitchy ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Pre-production king *2023-12-20, version 1.70.2* So helpful for visualizing shots and layouts for myself or the team I’m working with. I love the simple tools for quickly building out sets and props. ### 5/5 — Great app *2022-07-30, version 1.60.12* Used it for floor plan and lighting setup, nice and easy. Would be great if we can get more variety of props though ### 5/5 — Ones of the most useful filmmaking apps *2022-07-18* As a cinematographer, Shot Designer is by far one of my most used apps. Easy to use, and great tool for communicating shots and lighting plans with my team. I have been using it from the its early days, and so far, I haven’t seen a better alternative! ### 5/5 — The Best *2021-07-22* This app is an essential filmmaking tool. I’ve used it on everything from commercials and short films to TV drama and it’s fantastic. Stable, intuitive, easy to use, easy to read for Crew to understand what you’re trying to achieve. Currently shooting a high end tv drama and sending out my floor plans to all the crew weeks in advance so when we rock up to set everyone already knows what we’re doing - saving me so much time and energy to be creative. I create a Dropbox with pdfs of the plans and constantly update it so the crew always have the latest versions. Also the response from customer service etc is fantastic. Honestly, couldn’t work without it now. ### 5/5 — 리뷰 안쓰는데 *2021-04-29* 다년간 단편 장편 가리지 않고 모든 영상 작업에서 저랑 함께한 샷디자이너. 줄콘티와 그림콘티보다 부감도를 그리고 셋업 개념으로 순서를 정할 수 있는 샷디자이너는 촬영감독에게는 필수입니다. 부감도를 이해하면 동료 스탭들도 작업하기 편할꺼 같아요. 정말 최고의 어플. ### 5/5 — UPDATE!! *2021-04-25, version 1.52* Update the app it’s very 2006 style . Best app for creating schemes ### 5/5 — Hilft mehr, als gedacht *2021-01-02* Ich nutze den Shotdesigner auf iPad und iMac für die Planung von Szenen. Hatte bisher noch keine Probleme. Tut, was es soll. Klasse. ### 5/5 — Tip Top for preps *2020-07-17* I have been using this email since many years now, after it has been highly been recommended by our camera teacher who works with haneke. After getting a new computer I had to manage my account - the customer service was excellent. I'll be using Shotdesigner many more years. ### 5/5 — 10/4 *2019-04-17* Good app ### 5/5 — Great app *2018-07-24* Please can you add more lighting symbols. Would love that --- *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 2026-08-18.*