Previs Pro 3, the iPad-only storyboarding and previs app for filmmakers, has been released. The update introduces animatics, an AI-driven lighting system, and a free edition aimed at students and independent creators. The new animatics system lets users turn their storyboard frames into timed sequences, complete with sound effects and audio tracks. This makes it possible to test pacing and shot rhythm before production begins.
The addition of animatics also strengthens collaboration. Directors and editors can review not just static storyboards but moving sequences with timing and audio cues. That allows quicker iteration before camera equipment or crew are booked. The developer highlights that this feature is designed to export easily into editing suites for further refinement. Another key addition is “AI Light Grade.” The tool uses automated lighting analysis to adjust scene lighting within the app, designed to give quick previews of mood and exposure. The developer has not provided technical details on the underlying AI model.
AI Light Grade is integrated into the existing 3D environment system. It enables users to run quick test passes on scenes without manually adjusting every lighting parameter. While this promises speed gains, the company has not clarified whether the AI lighting is deterministic or adaptive, nor whether its results are intended only for previs visuals or can be matched to real-world set lighting. Not independently verified at press time.
Previs Pro 3 is also available in a new free edition. It includes a limited feature set, capped at 10 projects and 10 shots per project, but otherwise provides access to the main toolset. Paid versions remain available via subscription. The monthly price is $39.99, the yearly price is $179.99, and the lifetime price is $399.99.
The free edition is clearly targeted at students, hobbyists, or independent filmmakers who want to test the app without committing to a subscription. Its hard cap of 10 shots per project limits its usefulness for larger productions, where shot counts quickly run into the hundreds. The Pro tier removes these restrictions and adds unlimited projects, making it the only practical option for professional workflows.
Availability
Previs Pro runs exclusively on iPadOS. The app is distributed via the Apple App Store. No desktop or Android versions have been announced.
The rest of the toolset
Beyond the new features in version 3, Previs Pro’s core workflow remains unchanged. The app lets filmmakers build storyboards and previs sequences by combining 3D characters, props, and environments inside a touch-driven interface. It supports augmented reality (AR) location scouting, enabling users to preview shots on real-world sets using an iPad camera feed.
Previs Pro includes an asset library for characters, props, and vehicles, with pose controls and camera tools to define shot composition. Storyboards can be exported as images, PDFs, or video animatics for use in editing pipelines. For production planning, the app also provides tools to manage shot lists, camera metadata, and location data, making it possible to link previsualisation directly with scheduling and on-set reference.
As always, new tools should be tested carefully before relying on them in active productions.
