Looking to design in 3D while on the go? Consider trying out Feather. This free app allows users to create concept designs in 3D on tablets and laptops. It is compatible with iPads as well as Windows, Linux, and Android devices through a web app. Once your designs are ready, you can export them in glTF or OBJ format to other DCC apps. Developed by the Korean start-up Sketchsoft, Feather offers a unique two-stage workflow for creating 3D sketches. It was first released in 2022 and has now been updated to version 1.3, although it hasn’t received much attention from English-language media outlets yet.
Feather enables artists to sketch in 3D on touch-sensitive screens using a stylus or their fingers. The app employs an interesting process where users first create 3D guide surfaces before adding strokes on top of them, rotating the sketch using touch gestures. Whether sketching organic or man-made objects, users can customize strokes with brush settings and a color picker. For man-made objects, freehand strokes can be smoothed out to form precise geometric shapes, and strokes can also be mirrored, transformed, or grouped.
Users have the option to import images as references while sketching and view their completed sketches in augmented reality. Feather allows exporting sketches in either 2D or 3D formats; users can capture PNG or JPEG images, record turntable videos as animated GIFs, or export 3D models in glTF or OBJ format.
Feather is available natively for iPads and as a web app accessible through the Chrome browser on Windows, Linux, and Android devices. While locating the Install prompt may require some searching (usually found under Save and Share sub-menu), the app runs smoothly once installed.
As of version 1.3, Feather is compatible with iPadOS 15.0 for iPads and Chrome browser for other devices. The base app is free to use; however, upcoming paid Plus and Teams subscriptions will offer advanced import/export options, unlimited version history access control for shared projects.
