# TracingMat — A simple light table app

> Digital light table app for tracing images on paper using a device screen. (iPhone/iPad app by Yoko Nishimura.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracingmat/id1497442654 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Yoko Nishimura](https://appshunter.io/developer/1497442653)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 23 App Store ratings · 31 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.4 · 5 MB
- Languages: American English, Japanese
- Released: 2020-02-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-21
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracingmat/id1497442654/reviews.md

## What is TracingMat?

"Tracing Mat" is an app for using your iPad or iPhone as a light table. After displaying the image you want to copy on the app, place the copy destination paper on it and trace the image that can be seen through under the paper.
It is also possible to prepare the manuscript on paper, stack the copy destination paper on it, place it on the screen, and illuminate it from below with this application.

[How to use]
Tap the “gear” button on the upper right to enter the setting mode.
In the setting mode, add the image to be displayed with the “+” button or "Camera" button at the bottom left. You can also add text using the "T" button. Tapping a displayed image or text highlights it with a yellow frame; in this state, you can move it by dragging, or zoom in and out using a pinch gesture. Images and text can also be flipped or rotated, while text can be edited or have its styling modified.
You can save the current image and text layout with the “Save” button, and restore the saved layout later with the “Load” button, even after restarting the app.
The screen brightness can be adjusted with the slider bar at the bottom right.
When you tap the “left arrow” button on the upper left to exit the setting mode, the displayed image and text will be fixed, so place a piece of paper on the screen and trace it.

[Caution]
- I think it is easier to see the image under the paper if the room is darkened a little.
- Attach a protective film, etc., to prevent the display from being scratched during copying.
- Please use this application at your own risk. We do not take any responsibility for the disadvantage caused by using this application.

## Key features

- Use device as a light table
- Overlay paper for tracing
- Adjustable screen brightness
- Image zoom and pan
- Image flip and rotate
- Add images via import or camera

## Chart rankings

- #196 in Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 31)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tracingmat/id1497442654/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Good!

*2026-07-09, version 1.16*

Good and helping me trace good

### 4/5 — It works and it’s free

*2026-06-30, version 1.16*

It took a few minutes to figure out how to work it, but it does what I need it to. A tap on the photo allows you to resize and rotate as needed, then you can press the back button to “lock” the screen. My biggest issue with the tracing screen was the little advertisement on it, so I had to be careful not to touch it since safari would open up the ad site. I wish it had some settings for adjusting contrast and highlights too, but I just edited my photo separately then uploaded it to this app to trace. Overall, it’s simple and it works and it’s free. A lot of the other apps are extremely expensive and not worth the weekly subscription for my occasional tracing needs - so thank you!

### 3/5 — 中の上

*2026-06-29*

一回タップしちゃったりとかしたら動くしサイズが大きくなるからそこが惜しい点
ダブルタップとかにしたら良好

### 2/5 — Ehh

*2026-06-09, version 1.15.1*

I’m trying to trace but all it does is move 2 / 5

### 5/5 — めっちゃ良い

*2026-01-22*

まさにこんなアプリを探してました。
刺繍の下絵をに布になぞり書きするために使っています。ありがとうございます。

### 5/5 — めっちゃおすすめ！

*2025-12-12*

アプリ内だけで明るさを調節できるのと、固定したり、設定モードにしたりするのが一タップでできるのが良い！
おすすめです！

### 5/5 — いーい

*2025-09-06*

みんな星一だけど普通に良くない？

### 4/5 — Needs work but does what is intended

*2025-08-29, version 1.15*

The instructions on this are pretty well non existent. That being said. With a little bit of playing around you can quickly figure out how to get it working. A little better design to help see how to use the app and this would be perfect to me. But even at that it WORKS!

### 2/5 — Infuriating

*2025-08-09, version 1.15*

I want to like this so much. With a few tweaks it'd be perfect. As it stands, it tests my patience every time I use it. 

Pros, it's simple and easy to use. 
You can adjust the screen brightness, zoom in and out on the picture. All that is great, but...

The other tracing apps want you to pay for them by subscribing to a monthly plan. That's the only reason I didn't give this a 1 star. It truly is free, except it has an ad at the bottom of the screen that pulls up a webpage if you touch it, which you will because it's a tracing app. Make me watch an ad when I open the app. I don't care, but just don't put a clickable ad right in the middle of the screen. At least make the screen lock the ad in place too. You can lock the screen, but I still find myself swiping the screen or tapping the ad or hitting the settings button. I use this for simple line drawings to get the form down. Even doing something as simple as that I am taken out of my drawing two or three times minimum. 
I want this app, only I want it to completely lock the screen with the only way to unlock is by swiping a sliding bar at the bottom. That's it. So simple. That would be perfect. I will pay money right now for that app.

### 1/5 — Can’t Zoom Photos

*2025-07-30, version 1.15*

Worthless

## Frequently asked questions about TracingMat

### What does TracingMat do?

TracingMat turns your iPad or iPhone into a digital light table. You can display an image on your screen, place paper over it, and trace the visible image. It's also useful for illuminating manuscripts placed on the screen.

### How do I use TracingMat to trace an image?

First, add an image to the app using the '+' or camera button. Once the image is displayed, you can move, zoom, flip, and rotate it. Adjust the screen brightness with the slider. Then, exit setting mode, place your paper on top of the screen, and trace the illuminated image.

### Is TracingMat free to use?

The application is free to use, but it is ad-supported. This means advertisements will be displayed within the app while you are using it.

### What devices is TracingMat compatible with?

The app is designed for use on iPads and iPhones. It leverages the touch screen capabilities of these devices to function as a light table.

### What are the best conditions for using TracingMat?

It is recommended to use the application in a slightly darkened room to make the image under the paper easier to see. Also, consider using a protective film on your device's display to prevent scratches during the tracing process.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.17 — 2026-08-09

- Added Save and Load buttons.
   You can now save the current image and text layout and restore it later, even after restarting the app.
- Improved the button layout in setting mode.

### 1.16 — 2026-06-28

- Updated GMA SDK version (13.6.0)
- Added functionality to add and edit text on the screen (T button)
- Enabled direct input of rotation angles

### 1.15.1 — 2026-01-03

- Updated GMA SDK version (12.14.0)

### 1.15 — 2025-01-19

- Updated GMA SDK version (11.13.0)
- Add a new AppStore screenshot

### 1.14 — 2024-10-14

- Updated GMA SDK version (11.10.0)
- Updated AppStore screenshots

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## More apps by Yoko Nishimura

- [AutoReflect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autoreflect/id6755060908)

All apps by Yoko Nishimura: https://appshunter.io/developer/1497442653

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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 2026-08-21.*