Previs Pro

Overview

Previs Pro gives filmmakers a way to block scenes, test camera angles and shape an animatic before production. It suits Apple-based writers and crews who want screenplay-to-previs planning in one workflow; its strongest case is the 3D-to-editing handoff, while the free plan and Apple-only reach set clear boundaries.

Its 3D simulation follows real-world optics rather than treating a scene as a flat canvas. That makes it useful for judging framing and camera placement in space, not merely arranging storyboard panels. Scene layouts and shot annotations help keep planning details attached to the work, and team collaboration makes it more suitable for production workflows than a solo sketchpad.

Screenplay import accepts Final Draft, Fountain, Open Screenplay Format, Fade In and Celtx files. That can reduce setup when a script already exists. NLE export produces a Final Cut Pro 7 XML project compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, a practical bridge into editing rather than a replacement for an editor. Other export formats include PDF, JPEG, PNG, MP4, 2D and 3D.

AI generation uses third-party models, including FLUX.2 Turbo, Seedream 4.5, Veo 3.1 Fast, ElevenLabs and Tripo3D. Previs Pro says prompts, scripts, scenes and images are not used to train its own models. Imported screenplays stay in the local .previs project file and are not sent to Previs Pro servers through importing. Ghostwheel says it collects minimal personal data and does not sell, trade or rent users’ personal identification information. It makes no copyright or trademark claims to exported images or movies.

Key features

• Optics-based 3D planning: Virtual sets, characters and camera angles can be arranged in a simulated space, a better fit for blocking and shot exploration than a purely 2D planning canvas.
• Script-led setup: Imports from five screenplay formats can carry an existing script into the previs workflow.
• Production handoff: NLE export creates Final Cut Pro 7 XML compatible with Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve; PDF, image, video, 2D and 3D exports cover other sharing needs.
• Collaboration and annotation: Team collaboration, scene layouts and shot annotations support coordinated planning, though the free plan’s export watermark and animatic cap may constrain sharing.

Pricing

Previs Pro is freemium, with a free plan and paid subscriptions or a one-time purchase. The paid tiers list unlimited projects, scenes, shots and animatics, AI generation by use, and 2D, 3D, MP4 and NLE exports.

The free tier is a useful way to try scene planning, but one animatic per project and watermarked exports make it a poor fit for recurring client or production delivery. Annual is the lower-cost subscription choice for ongoing work; Monthly offers the same listed features at a substantially higher yearly run rate, so it makes sense mainly when a short commitment matters. Lifetime trades a larger upfront payment for access without recurring subscription billing. AI generation is charged by use on paid plans, so unlimited project capacity does not mean unlimited AI generation.

A free trial is offered. One purchase works on up to five personal devices using the same Apple ID, which is helpful for an individual switching among Apple devices but is not a multi-seat licensing promise.

Platforms

Previs Pro supports iOS and macOS and has no Windows or Android version or roadmap. That excludes mixed-device teams and filmmakers who need to work on those platforms. The wiki sets 4 GB RAM as the minimum and recommends 6 GB or more for comfortable use. For purchase or export issues, the maker directs users to email [email protected] with Apple receipt details.

Who it's for

Choose Previs Pro if you work on Apple devices, want to translate a screenplay into 3D scene planning, and need animatic or NLE exports for a production workflow. It is less suitable if you need Windows or Android support, depend on unwatermarked free exports, or want a flat storyboard tool without the 3D workflow.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Real-world-optics 3D simulation makes camera and blocking decisions more contextual than a flat drawing canvas.
• Pro: Imports from five screenplay formats and exports compatible NLE XML, linking script-based planning to established editing applications.
• Pro: Imported screenplay files remain in the local project rather than being sent to Previs Pro servers by the import process.
• Con: No Windows or Android version rules out users and teams tied to those platforms.
• Con: The free plan allows only one animatic per project and watermarks exports, limiting its usefulness for polished delivery.
• Con: Paid AI generation is by use, so the plan’s unlimited project and animatic allowances do not remove that variable cost.

Alternatives

Storyboard Software is the broader category to browse if you want to compare storyboard-focused tools.

StoryTribe is worth considering if cross-platform access, including Windows and Android, matters more than Previs Pro’s Apple-only focus; its free plan allows unlimited projects but caps projects at 10 shots and watermarks downloads and exports.

Shot Designer is another option for shot planning across Android, iOS, macOS and Windows. Its free plan is limited to one saved current scene and omits file management, export and sync or team sharing.

Mari is a Linux and Windows alternative for readers seeking a different kind of creative software; its non-commercial free plan limits exports to 4K and 16-bit per channel and disables Python scripting.

Boords is a web-based alternative with a free single-user plan that includes unlimited storyboards and scripts, which may suit solo storyboard work better than 3D previs.

Krock.io is a web and desktop option to consider if you need a review-oriented workspace; its free plan allows one user, one workspace, two projects and 2 GB storage.

Storyboarder is a free, open-source alternative for readers who prefer software available on Linux, macOS and Windows.

AIM Previz is a browser-based option if web access matters; its free plan provides 50 credits a month and includes a seven-day Pro trial with 150 credits.

Cineboard is another web-based option for readers who want to compare a different production-planning tool.

Verdict

Previs Pro is a strong fit for Apple-based filmmakers who want screenplay import, optics-aware 3D blocking and a route into Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The free tier is enough to explore the workflow, but the paid plans are the practical choice for unwatermarked, repeatable exports. Look elsewhere if Windows or Android support is essential.