Designer’s Toolkit: AI Tools and Visualization Resources for Scenic Designers
The Designer’s Toolkit is a curated resource library for scenic designers seeking to innovate. From rendering software to AI prompts, find everything you need to push your creative and technical boundaries.
Industry Resources
-
United Scenic Artists, Local 829
A labor union for scenic designers and artists in entertainment.
-
USITT
Professional organization for theatre technology and design.
-
ControlBooth Forums
Online forums for technical theatre and scenic design discussions.
-
RISE Theatre
A directory connecting underrepresented theatre professionals with job opportunities.
Research & Image Resources
-
Stock Image Building Technology Heritage Library
Historic scenic design documents and period research.
-
Love The Work More
LoveTheWorkMore is a free archive of Cannes Lions-winning ad campaigns from 1954 to today—perfect for research, inspiration, and creative reference.
-
Fonts in Use
Not just for typography nerds—this site offers visual examples of real-world design applications across print, film, branding, and stage.
-
Pixabay
Free stock images and vector graphics.
Research & Image Resources
-
Vectorworks Help Manual
Official Vectorworks user guide.
-
Vectorworks Community Forums
User forums for Vectorworks software.
-
Twinmotion
Visualization tool for architecture and scenic design.
-
PureRef
Free tool for organizing reference images.
-
Convert3D
Found the perfect model, but it's not compatible with your software. Use this site.
-
Fab
Epic Games' new 3D asset marketplace.
-
SketchUp 3D Warehouse
Free 3D models compatible with Vectorworks.
-
Quixel Megascans
Photorealistic scanned textures and materials.
-
CC0Textures
Free textures for rendering and 3D design.
-
Midjourney
AI Art generator to create graphics and backdrops.
-
Sora
AI Art generator by Chat GPT. Great for enhancing design context.
-
Arch Synth
Various AI 3D Modeling Tools to convert 2D to 3D.
-
Paramount Moulding
Downloadable DWGs for scenic moulding profiles.
-
Gladsbuy
Affordable Backdrop Printer
-
Rose Brand
Theatrical fabrics, materials, and scenic supplies.
-
MX Master 3S Mouse
A precision wireless mouse with ergonomic design, customizable buttons, and MagSpeed scrolling for seamless workflow.
-
MacBook Pro (M4, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
A powerhouse laptop with a high-performance M4 chip, Liquid Retina XDR display, and advanced GPU for demanding scenic design tasks
-
Apple Studio Display
A 27-inch 5K Retina monitor with ultra-sharp visuals, professional color accuracy, and built-in speakers for an immersive experience.
-
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
A sleek, wireless keyboard with Touch ID for secure login and a comfortable typing experience.
-
Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit
A MagSafe-compatible stand with 360° face and body tracking, motorized tilt, and 15W wireless charging, ideal for hands-free video calls and content creation.