Kanvaz

B tier on Mood Board SoftwareScore 7.1 · #5 of 23

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: Yes
Runs on: Linux, Mac, Windows

github.com

Summary

Kanvaz is a free, offline infinite-canvas reference board for VFX and 3D artists and others who collect and connect visual material. Boards can contain 3D models, images, GIFs, video, audio, notes, colors, URLs, and file pointers. Supported models can be orbited live, viewed with multiple shading modes, and played with animations; previewing .blend files requires Blender. Users can connect references with seven typed relationships and explore them as a graph in Map View. A reference card can appear on multiple boards, with edits reflected wherever it is used. An optional MCP Bridge lets Claude Desktop or Claude Code access and change the active board over local IPC, and those changes enter undo history. Kanvaz supports plugins for card types, commands, themes, and features; its maker says creators can sell plugins without a marketplace cut. Boards are stored locally, with no accounts, telemetry, or cloud storage, and network requests are user initiated. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and is MIT licensed with no feature paywall.

Who it is for

Kanvaz suits VFX and 3D artists, as well as others who need to collect, connect, and revisit visual references. It is a fit for people who want offline boards and are comfortable with its listed limitations.

What is good

Works offline and stores boards locally.
Handles images, 3D models, video, audio, and more.
Connects references through seven typed relationships.
Supports plugins without a feature paywall.
Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

Previewing .blend files requires Blender.
Only the latest release receives security updates.
Custom properties are text-only.
The macOS build is unsigned.

Verdict

Kanvaz combines a broad range of reference media with local boards, graph connections, and plugin support. Keep its file and playback limitations in mind, including the Blender requirement for .blend previews.

Kanvaz plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Free forever · MIT licensed · no feature paywall github.com · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on mood board software

Free plan: Yesgithub.com
Collaboration level: nonegithub.com
Presentation mode: Yesgithub.com
Export formats: .kanvaztemplategithub.com
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxgithub.com

Facts

Purpose: Kanvaz is an offline infinite-canvas reference board for VFX and 3D artists and others who collect and connect visual references.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Media: Boards support 3D models, images, GIFs, video, audio, notes, colors, URLs, and file pointers.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
3D preview: Supported 3D models can be orbited live with multiple shading modes and animation playback; Blender must be installed to preview .blend files.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Connections: Users can connect references through seven typed relationships and view them as a graph in Map View.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Shared cards: The same reference card can appear on multiple boards, with edits reflected wherever it is used.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Integrations: The optional MCP Bridge lets Claude Desktop or Claude Code read and modify the active board over local IPC, with changes recorded in undo history.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Plugins: Kanvaz supports plugins for card types, commands, themes, and features, and says creators can sell plugins without a marketplace cut.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Privacy: The maker says Kanvaz has no accounts, telemetry, or cloud storage, and that network requests are user initiated; boards are stored locally.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Security: The security policy says only the latest release receives security updates and asks vulnerability reporters to email the maker rather than open a public issue.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
File format: A .kanvaz board is a ZIP container with board data and embedded assets, each checked with a SHA-256 integrity hash.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Limitations: The maker lists text-only custom properties, possible MKV/AVI playback issues, no PDF text search, and an unsigned macOS build among known limitations.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Support: The maker invites bug reports and feature requests through GitHub issues or email and says updates ship most weeks.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Audience: The maker describes Kanvaz as built for VFX artists, 3D artists, and people whose work involves collecting, connecting, and revisiting references.github.com · 4 Oct 2026