Hybrid reference board
Save images, videos, links, notes, PDFs, GIFs, drawings, and studies on one infinite canvas, then arrange them without a rigid grid.
ArtDeck
ArtDeck is a visual reference board app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Collect mixed references on one canvas and study them with ToolBox lenses. Offline, optional iCloud sync, one-time purchase.
Overview
ArtDeck is a visual reference board app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It combines a flexible canvas for collecting reference material with ToolBox study tools for examining the same source in place.
The app is built for workflows where visual material needs to stay organized and close at hand: artists can collect images, videos, links, notes, PDFs, GIFs, and drawings on one board, then switch into study mode to inspect value, color, composition, detail, and motion without flattening the original source.
ArtDeck also supports optional iCloud sync by board, so the same board can move between devices while the app still works offline when sync is not needed.
The purchase model is simple according to the site: one purchase, no subscription, and no account system required.
Features
Flexible capture and import
Bring items in from Photos, Files, folders, camera, document scanner, paste, drag and drop, or the Share menu from another app.
Non-destructive study tools
Open ToolBox over a saved reference to inspect values, color, composition, readability, and measurement while the source stays visible.
Multiple study lenses
Use value, color, composition, read, and measure lenses to isolate different aspects of the same source, including grayscale, palettes, guides, grouping, and proportion checks.
Frame-by-frame motion study
Study video and GIF references frame by frame, play or scrub through motion, and use onion skinning to compare nearby frames.
Cross-device workflow
Sync boards across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with optional iCloud, or keep boards local and continue working offline.
Use cases
Reference boards for visual projects
Build a single canvas for the photos, links, notes, PDFs, GIFs, and drawings that shape a project, then keep them grouped so the context stays visible.
Image analysis and study
Compare light, color, composition, shape, and proportion directly over a source without altering the original asset, then snapshot a study when you want to keep it.
Motion and animation reference
Step through a video or GIF frame by frame to inspect timing, spacing, poses, or transitions, using onion skinning and filmstrip browsing to compare moments.
Cross-device reference capture
Move between iPhone, iPad, and Mac while keeping boards available offline or synced through iCloud when needed, which suits work that starts away from the desk and continues later.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports a wide mix of source types, including images, videos, links, notes, PDFs, GIFs, and drawings.
- ToolBox keeps studies live and non-destructive over the original source, which helps when comparing multiple lenses.
- Motion study tools include frame stepping, filmstrip browsing for GIFs, and onion skinning for comparing adjacent frames.
- Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with optional iCloud sync when you want the same board on multiple devices.
- Works offline and does not require an account to use.
Cons
- The pricing page at the provided URL returns a 404, so pricing details beyond “one purchase” are not shown on the site text provided.
- The available sources do not document external integrations with other apps or services beyond import, export, Share, and iCloud sync.
- The feature pages describe capabilities, but they do not provide much detail on advanced limits, collaboration, or team workflows.
FAQ
What is ArtDeck used for?
ArtDeck is designed to let you save reference material onto boards, study it with ToolBox lenses, and keep related studies beside the source. It supports images, videos, links, notes, PDFs, GIFs, drawings, and extracted studies on one canvas.
Which devices does ArtDeck support?
ArtDeck runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The site says boards work fully offline, and optional iCloud sync can carry boards across devices.
Does ArtDeck require a subscription or account?
No. ArtDeck is sold through the App Store as a one-time purchase, with no subscription and no account system required.
Can studies be exported or shared?
Yes. You can export studies by snapshotting them back onto the board, copying them, saving them to Files or Photos, or sharing them.
Does ArtDeck work offline?
Yes. The site says ArtDeck can work offline, and iCloud sync is optional and board-specific when you want boards on multiple devices.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Productivity / Design Tool
- Platform
- iPhone, iPad, Mac
- Core workflow
- Collect references on boards, then study them with ToolBox and motion tools
- Pricing
- One-time purchase; no subscription
- Account required
- No
- Source domain
- getartdeck.com
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