Currently the iOS version is one release ahead of Windows. While both platforms share the same core features and file format, our latest update has arrived on iOS first. This means files created on iOS may not open on Windows until the Windows version catches up. We’re working to bring both versions in sync.

Any pen & multi-touch tablet running Windows 10 or 11 will work. There are several options including the Surface lineup (i.e. the Surface Pro and Surface Studio), the Dell XPS 2-in1, HP Spectre x360 or Lenovo Yoga 9i. We recommend that your machine has at least 8GB of RAM.

We recommend the latest iPad Pro or Air because they can handle larger file sizes. An Apple Pencil is recommended to get the best drawing and navigation experience.
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The following devices are compatible: iPad Pro (all except 1st gen), iPad (7th gen or later), iPad Air (3rd gen or later), iPad Mini (5th gen or later). 

We recommend using an Apple Pencil or another active stylus for the best drawing and navigation experience. Mental Canvas Draw is designed to combine pen and touch input, allowing you to seamlessly switch between drawing and navigating. While you can use your finger, a stylus provides greater precision and control.

The software was designed for pen & touch interaction directly with the screen, so we don’t recommend a Wacom drawing tablet without a screen.

If you'd like to use a Wacom tablet without a screen on Windows, the following “express keys” may help: 
Pan: Ctrl + pen gesture 
Zoom: Alt + pen gesture
Twist: Shift + pen gesture

Yes, any pen & multi-touch tablet running Windows 10+ will work. We recommend machines with at least 8GB of RAM.

No, Mental Canvas Draw is not on Android. It's something we're considering for the future but isn't in active development.

On iOS, yes—you can draw with your finger, though we recommend using an Apple Pencil or active stylus for the best experience. On Windows, a pen is required for drawing, as touch input is used exclusively for navigation.

You would be able to open files with limited capabilities such as viewing and exporting, but you would not be able to create new content.

No, you do not need the dial. It is a great accessory for Mental Canvas Draw, but it is not necessary for use.

No, Mental Canvas is not available on Mac. It is currently supported on iPad and Windows.

No, Mental Canvas is not available on iPhones due to the small screen size and lack of pen input support. It is designed for iPad and Windows for the best drawing and navigation experience.

Generally, yes! You can create files on one device and continue working on another. However, the latest update has made iOS one version ahead of Windows, meaning files created on iOS may not open on Windows until the Windows version catches up. Transfering files from Windows to iOS still works as expected.

There is no file size limit, you are only limited by the memory of your device. Windows devices tend to have more memory than iPads, which can be a limiting factor if you intend to create complex and highly detailed scenes. Take a look at the recommended hardware section to learn more.

Your .mcs files live in the Files App. We recommend creating a folder where you can save your .mcs files in one place.

You can open up a new blank project by clicking the Options Menu icon on the upper left hand corner, tapping on "Close", and then pressing "Create a Document" in the file browser. You'll be able to open up a blank template or any of the other templates we have available to work on your new scene.

It's important to have copies of the .mcs files in a location outside of the default "Mental Canvas" folder in Documents before uninstalling the app – your Mental Canvas folder will be deleted along with the app. We highly recommend that you copy and back up any .mcs files in the "Mental Canvas" folder via the Files App to another location. Then, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store. 

Mental Canvas does not autosave files. Please save frequently and keep backups of important files.

No, the files are local to your device. Mental Canvas does not store the files elsewhere. We recommend saving frequently and keeping backups of important files. For example, if you’re using the iPad, you can save files in iCloud.

Yes, you can import images (JPEG, PNG) into your scene and edit those images just as you would with drawings.

Not yet, but it's something we’re looking into for the future!

We don't support 3D object import. That said, some users import screenshots of models and sketch over them.

You can export your animated flythroughs as MP4 videos. You can choose the aspect ratio and the resolution/quality.

This is not yet available, but it’s in consideration for a future update.

Currently there is no way to add audio. Some users choose to add audio to their videos in post-production. We are looking into audio possibilities in the future such as spatial sound in the web player.

Publishing to web enables you to share your scenes online through our interactive web player. Anyone with the link, on any device, can open your scene! Viewers can play through your bookmark path and interactively explore the scene.

Yes - on the Pro & Premium plans, select the scene you want to replace and tap “publish” again and it will save over the current version with the new one.

Pro users can publish up to 10 web scenes at a time, while Premium users get 100. You can replace a scene with new content at any time. On the Free plan, you can only have 1 scene at a time and you have to remove it if you want to publish a new one.

Yes! Mental Canvas publishes an interactive full-page scene with a custom URL that you can embed into your website using an <iframe> tag.

Anyone can access your published scene if you send them the link! The web player is accessible and interactive on any device including phones, tablets and computers.

If you have an Enterprise plan, you will have a license management dashboard that enables you to assign and re-assign seats as needed.

Yes, our Pro and Enterprise plans include the ability to download the software directly if you’re not able to use the store.

You can purchase a subscription inside the app. If you're on a device that doesn't support store purchasing, you can contact us to explore options for direct purchasing.

Yes, Mental Canvas Draw is free to download on the iOS App Store and the Microsoft Store. The free plan includes the full drawing package with a watermark.

You can find the pricing of the plans here.

If you purchased your subscription on our website or through us, please contact us directly at support@mentalcanvas.com to request cancellation of your subscription.

If you purchased your subscription in the app, then you can cancel through the App Store. Tap on the menu button on the upper left hand corner, tap on “Settings,” and then “Manage Subscription,” which will bring up a list of your subscriptions. You’ll see Mental Canvas on that list and you will be able to unsubscribe from there.

Once you purchase a subscription, the app should update the next time you open it. To confirm, tap Settings in the Options Menu. You should see the name of your purchased plan there, indicating that it's been updated. If you see that you’re still on the "Free Plan" in this menu, tap the Refresh button, and the plan should update. There is no need to delete and reinstall the app.

Here is a list of checks to ensure you receive the code:
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1) note that the code can sometimes take a few minutes to receive
2) check your spam folder as it can sometimes go there
3) check that you're sending the code to the same email address as your account if you have a Pro license
4) check that your device has internet access because this can inhibit the code from sending
5) make sure you're pressing "send code" after entering the email address
6) confirm you've spelled the email address correctly
7) check that your inbox isn't full

If you have reviewed all of these steps and you're still not receiving the code, please contact support and we will look into it further.

Please try these three recommended steps:

(1) make sure you have enough free storage on your device to launch the app,
(2) make sure your device is up to date: we recommend running an update on your device if you haven’t already,
(3) ensure that your device is connected to wifi upon launching the app.

The software uses a combination of pen and touch input to differentiate between drawing and navigating. Therefore, a pen is necessary for use on Windows. A mouse will not work as a pen replacement, because the mouse is used for navigation not drawing.

If you're using an external drawing tablet on Windows, please check that "Windows Ink" is enabled in the tablet properties.

On most Windows devices, the eraser is part of the stylus (either a button on the side or on the other end of the stylus like a pencil). If your stylus does not have an eraser, you can press your keyboard "E" to switch to eraser mode and "E" again to go back to drawing.

If you encounter any bugs on the iPad, please contact support through the Settings menu. On Windows devices, you can report a bug by selecting “Report an Issue” in the main menu.

Mental Canvas was designed for pen and touch interaction, and you would not be able to draw in the system without an "active pen." You might be using a "passive stylus" that simulates the touch of a finger, but it doesn't actually have the same pen input of being an "active pen" that would allow you to draw.

Mental Canvas on the iPad is available in English, Korean and Simplified Chinese. By default, the app will be in the language ranked highest in the "Preferred Language Order" list. You can find this list in the Settings App -> General -> Language & Region.

To change the language settings for Mental Canvas, go to the Settings App -> scroll down to Mental Canvas -> Preferred Language. There you will be able to select the language you want Mental Canvas to be in.