SNGULAR launches VisionPainter, one of Europe’s first apps for Apple Vision Pro

We spent most of the morning watching our colleague, Elena Valero, sketch the first lines of what would become a dragon’s head, a car’s chassis, and an owl in VisionPainter. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch how, from a completely empty and almost overwhelming 3D space, you can create and bring to life such diverse and intricate realities—all from scratch.

Much like those viral videos where you can’t help but watch someone craft things you didn’t know you needed, the beauty of the creative process in VisionPainter is captivating. We’re drawn in by its ease of use, the fluidity of the movements, its entirely intuitive interface, and the ability to sketch with your hands. Technology to enhance what makes us more human.

Transforms the intuitive gestures of your hands into a majestic dragon.

VisionPainter is a spatial painting app that lets you draw in a 3D space simply by gesturing with your hands. Its ease of use is one of its core features, with an intuitive interface that ensures anyone, regardless of experience, can dive into artistic creation. And who hasn’t dreamed of being an artist at some point?

What makes VisionPainter’s launch even more exciting is that it marks our early entry into the new Apple Vision Pro ecosystem.

We can’t stress enough how easy it is to use. From the moment you make your first stroke in the air and see it surround you, the smoothness of the motion delivers such a pleasant experience that you just want to keep painting. The ideas we initially had in mind are often surpassed by what we end up creating. Before we know it, we’re hooked and want to hang our own artwork around the house. The immersion in what we’re creating is complete.

That’s why this app is designed for users who want to create without unnecessary complications. It’s a simple yet powerful system that avoids overly complex tools, which could otherwise be a barrier. While it doesn’t completely abandon professional use—it can export models to be finished in 3D design software with years of development behind them—it’s currently more recreational, appealing to a broader audience. After all, painting with your fingers, like when we were kids, still brings joy.

Create immersive 3D art with VisionPainter using intuitive hand gestures.

How did VisionPainter come about?

For Luis Ángel Alda, the driving force behind VisionPainter and the technical director of SNGULAR Studios, this project has been a fascinating challenge. “Being on such a new platform meant we had to learn and adapt on the go, especially with technologies like Metal, which we had never used before. There were surprises along the way, some good, and others not so much, but every challenge was an opportunity to learn.”

To achieve the smooth painting and precise strokes, a brand-new 3D engine had to be developed. This 3D system, based on C++ and Metal, is responsible for the app’s excellent performance. “There’s nothing quite like the freedom of low-level programming. You have to keep in mind that everything you see in VisionPainter is procedurally generated in real time, which requires extremely optimized code.”

At SNGULAR, we had some prior experience, starting from a product developed for the PS4 platform. That experience prepared us to tackle a project as complex as this one. We had to adapt to a platform where all interactions are hand-based, with no controllers—a challenge in itself. Only someone like Alda could lead a project of this scale.

He also collaborated closely with the design and art team, particularly to create an interface that would be easy to use for anyone, whether they’re familiar with graphic applications or just curious about getting started with creation.

VisionPainter is the result of innovation and adaptability

Innovation and early presence in such an important milestone as Apple's first AR-VR product is in SNGULAR's DNA. In an increasingly complex environment, VisionPainter is a testament to adaptability in the face of change. In the technology scene, from time to time, there are milestones that can lead to significant changes, as is the case of a new Apple product (AVP). This project places SNGULAR on the crest of the innovation wave and also allows us to acquire learning and experience in this type of platforms.

But it also brings responsibility: to maintain and grow the app’s functionality. By the end of the year, Apple is expected to release a new operating system, VisionOS 2, which will bring significant advancements to the AVP system. We’ll need to start preparing and adapting the new features while ensuring compatibility. With any new platform, there are always major changes to keep up with to ensure the app stays relevant. That’s why having professionals like Ángel Alda gives us a great advantage in the industry.

If you get the chance to try out VisionPainter soon, our advice is simple: enjoy creating big or small things and sharing them with others. You don’t need to be a design expert, just be ready to have fun. And we promise to keep improving, adding all the new features Apple introduces. “I’m sure many users will be transported back to their childhood, when they painted with messy hands on any wall in their home.”