Can I do 3D modeling on iPad without a desktop?

Yes. Forma3D is a full mesh editor that runs natively on iPad and iPhone. You can import, edit, repair, and export STL, 3MF, and USDZ files without a desktop computer.

I only have an iPad. Can I still prepare models for 3D printing?

Yes. Forma3D lets you inspect, repair, scale, cut, and export models for 3D printing directly on iPad. Export STL or 3MF and upload to your slicer or MakerWorld from Safari.

Do I need Blender or Meshmixer to edit 3D models?

No. Forma3D provides vertex, edge, and face editing, Boolean operations, mesh repair, and face painting for multi-filament 3MF export — all on a touch device.

Can I scan objects with iPhone LiDAR and 3D print them?

Yes. On supported LiDAR devices, Forma3D uses Apple Object Capture to scan real objects, then import the USDZ mesh for editing and print preparation.

Forma3D · no desktop needed

3D modeling without a desktop — yes, you can do it on iPad and iPhone

If you don't have a desktop computer, you can still create, edit, repair, and prepare 3D models for printing. Forma3D is a complete mesh editor that runs natively on iPad and iPhone — no Blender, no Meshmixer, no computer required.

Current public App Store release: 1.2.7 · Requires iOS 17 or later

View Forma3D on the App Store

"I don't have a desktop — can I still do 3D?"

Yes. This is one of the most common questions from makers who own an iPad or iPhone but not a desktop or laptop. The answer used to be "no, you need Blender or Meshmixer." Forma3D changes that.

Forma3D is built from the ground up for touch devices. It provides the same core mesh editing operations you would use in a desktop 3D editor — vertex, edge, and face selection; extrude, inset, bevel; Boolean union, subtract, and intersect; mesh repair; face painting for multi-filament printing; and export to STL, 3MF, or USDZ.

What you can do with just an iPad or iPhone

Import and edit STL files

Open STL files from Files, Mail, AirDrop, or Safari. Inspect the mesh in wireframe or X-Ray mode, select components, move and modify geometry, and export the result.

Repair non-manifold meshes

Downloaded STL files often have issues — holes, flipped normals, non-manifold edges. Forma3D lets you inspect and fix these problems before sending the model to a slicer.

Prepare models for 3D printing

Scale to real-world dimensions with millimeter or inch units. Cut large parts into smaller pieces. Add Boolean features. Separate by face-paint regions. Export STL or 3MF.

Scan with LiDAR and print

On supported iPhone and iPad Pro devices with LiDAR, scan a real object using Apple Object Capture, import the USDZ mesh, edit it, and prepare it for printing — all on the same device.

Paint faces for multi-filament prints

Assign colors to individual faces or regions, then export a 3MF file with per-face color data for Bambu Studio, Creality Print, or other multi-filament slicers.

Export and upload from Safari

Export your model and upload it to MakerWorld or another platform directly from Safari on iPad or iPhone. See our print without Bambu Studio guide.

iPad vs desktop — what's the difference?

Touch-first interface: Forma3D uses multi-touch gestures, tap selection, and an on-screen gizmo instead of a mouse and keyboard.
On-device processing: All mesh editing and rendering happens locally on the device. No cloud, no upload, no subscription.
File handling: Import from Files, AirDrop, Mail, or Safari. Export to Files, Mail, or upload to any website.
No render farm: Forma3D is a mesh editor and print preparation tool, not a rendering engine. It does not produce photorealistic renders like Blender Cycles.
No animation: Forma3D focuses on static mesh editing for 3D printing. It does not support skeletal animation, rigging, or simulation.

What Forma3D is not: Forma3D is not a replacement for Blender's full pipeline (sculpting, animation, rendering, simulation). It is a focused mesh editor and print preparation tool for makers who want to work on a touch device without a desktop.

Common questions from makers without a desktop

Can I do 3D modeling on iPad?

Yes. Forma3D runs on iPad and iPad Pro with iPadOS 17 or later. The larger screen gives you more space for selection and editing, but the full toolset is available on iPhone as well.

I only have an iPad. Can I prepare models for 3D printing?

Yes. Import an STL or 3MF, inspect and repair the mesh, scale to the correct dimensions, cut or modify as needed, and export. Upload the exported file to your slicer or MakerWorld from Safari.

Can I edit STL files on iPhone?

Yes. Forma3D supports STL import and export on iPhone. You can edit vertices, edges, and faces, apply Boolean operations, repair mesh issues, and export the result.

Do I need a computer to scan objects with LiDAR?

No. On supported LiDAR devices, scanning, reconstruction, mesh editing, and export all happen on the device. See our LiDAR scanning guide.

Can I print without Bambu Studio on a desktop?

Yes. Export a 3MF from Forma3D, upload it to MakerWorld from Safari, and send it to Bambu Handy on your phone. See our step-by-step guide.

Who is this for?

Forma3D is for makers, hobbyists, and 3D printing enthusiasts who want to work with 3D models on a touch device — whether they don't own a desktop, prefer to work on iPad, or need to make a quick edit on the go.