Protato

What is Protato?

Protato is a local-first mockup and design tool for iOS and macOS that helps you create clean 3D mockups from screenshots or videos. Its core purpose is to turn raw device captures into polished visuals by letting you place them on real devices and adjust presentation details before exporting.

The workflow is centered on quick iteration: you drop in your existing screenshots or video footage, refine the scene—such as lighting—and then export the resulting mockups.

Key Features

• Create 3D mockups in seconds from screenshots or videos: Start from the content you already have and transform it into device-style visuals without rebuilding the layout from scratch.
• Drop in screenshots or videos onto real devices: Use your existing capture assets as the source to generate device-based mockups.
• Tweak lighting: Adjust lighting settings to match the look you want for the final exported mockup.
• Export polished visuals: Produce finished outputs from your configured mockup scene for sharing or publishing.
• Local-first design tool: Designed to operate as a local-first app, aligning with users who want their work handled locally.

How to Use Protato

1. Download the iOS app or use the macOS version (the site highlights an iOS download).
2. Start a new mockup and drop in your screenshot or video into the mockup scene.
3. Select the device view and tweak lighting to achieve the desired presentation.
4. Export the finished mockup visual.

Use Cases

• App store or product page mockups: Turn screenshots or short demo clips into device-style 3D visuals for use on marketing pages.
• Design review iterations: Quickly generate variations by reusing the same screenshots/video and adjusting lighting for presentation consistency.
• Video-based product promotions: Use video input to create device mockups that better communicate how an interface looks in motion.
• Portfolio showcases for UI/UX work: Present interface designs in realistic device contexts, focusing on clean presentation and exportable outputs.
• Asset reuse across releases: When you have updated screenshots or clips for a new version, re-import them to produce fresh mockups without starting over.

FAQ

• Does Protato create mockups from both screenshots and videos? Yes. The product page indicates you can drop in screenshots or videos to create 3D mockups.

• What can I adjust in the mockup scene? The page specifically mentions tweaking lighting. It also implies you place your input onto real device views.

• Is Protato available on iOS and macOS? The site describes Protato as a mockup and design tool built for iOS and macOS.

• Is Protato local-first? Yes. The page states it is a local-first design tool.

• What format can I export? The provided content mentions exporting polished visuals, but does not specify export formats. You may need to check the app UI or documentation for exact output types.

Alternatives

• Mockup creation tools for UI screenshots: Alternatives in this category also focus on turning screenshots into device mockups, typically with their own presets and customization controls. They may differ in how they support video inputs and 3D scene adjustments.
• 3D rendering and scene editors (general-purpose): Tools in this type of software can produce high-fidelity device renders, but often require more setup than a dedicated mockup workflow.
• Video mockup or presentation tools: If your primary input is video, video-focused tools may streamline motion-based outputs, though they may not provide the same 3D device mockup adjustments.
• Design tools with mockup templates: Some design applications offer device mockup templates and export workflows. These may vary in speed for 3D lighting adjustments compared to a dedicated mockup tool.