PREVIS SOFTWARE / COMPARISON / 2026
Previs Tools Compared in 2026Storyboards, 3D cameras, and AI video handoffs
Compare free, open-source, browser, 3D-camera and AI-video previs tools by the job each shot needs, not platform alone.
WHAT PREVIS DOES
Previs is how you decide a shot before you pay to shoot it.
Where the set pieces go, where the actors stand, where the camera sits, which lens it uses, how it moves and where the cut lands. The tool should match the amount of the shot you need to solve.
Previs has four practical levels.
- 01
Draw and plan | Start with boards, shot lists and references.
- 02
Generate | Create concept shots and sequences with AI.
- 03
Block and shoot | Decide lens, positions, camera paths and alternate takes.
- 04
Simulate | Solve sets, lighting, performance and VFX.
SIDE BY SIDE
Previs tools compared
Price and platform are not enough. Compare how each tool makes the camera, assembles the cuts and hands material to an AI video model or a production team.
| TOOL | Runs in | Cost | Open source | 3D camera moves | Hand-off to AI video | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHOT OF THE DEADRapid alternate takes and cut decisions | Chrome (Mac / Windows) | Free public beta | Proprietary app | Real focal length; record camera movement and blocking as takes | Start/end frames, clay reference clip, camera-path.json and prompt | Rapid alternate takes and cut decisions |
| StoryflowShot lists and storyboards on one canvas | Browser | Paid early access / free plan announced | Proprietary | 2D overhead blocking; not 3D lens simulation | Boards, shot notes and references; not a 3D motion package | Shot lists and storyboards on one canvas |
| StoryboarderFast storyboards and edit rhythm | Mac / Windows / Linux desktop | Free | Open source | 3D composition and poses in Shot Generator; save per board | Stills, animatics, Premiere / Final Cut / Avid / PDF / GIF | Fast storyboards and edit rhythm |
| CozyClayFast shot blocking and AI-video handoff | Chromium browser / local Studio | Free | AGPL-3.0 | Rails, cranes, speed/height controls and timeline cuts | Frames, clips, prompts and keyframe packs for Seedance / Kling / Veo | Fast shot blocking and AI-video handoff |
| BlockoutAI-native choreography for camera and cast | Mac / Windows desktop (Linux from source) | Free | Apache-2.0 | Real lenses, mark-based paths, easing and choreography | Video, depth, normal, stills, prompt and metadata | AI-native choreography for camera and cast |
| Previs ProAnimate selected shots from 3D storyboards | Mac / iPad / iPhone | Free version + paid features | Proprietary | Keyframes, time boxes, motion paths, pose and lighting animation | MP4 animatic mixing still boards and animated shots | Animate selected shots from 3D storyboards |
| LensBlockDetailed offline camera and pose animation | Browser / downloadable single HTML | Free | MIT | Real focal length, multiple cameras, keyframes, IK/FK and graph editing | Video via WebCodecs / MediaRecorder, plus JSON scene | Detailed offline camera and pose animation |
| BlenderFull control over sets, lighting and animation | Desktop | Free | GPL | Combine cameras, keyframes, constraints, paths and rigs | Render and Video Sequencer output; manual AI handoff | Full control over sets, lighting and animation |
| FrameForgeDetailed camera-accurate 3D previs | Desktop | Paid | Proprietary | Camera-accurate 3D previs with real lens data | Stills and diagrams handed off manually | Detailed camera-accurate 3D previs |
| Unreal EngineVFX-heavy and virtual-production work | Desktop (large install) | Free to use for previs | Source available / not open source | Sequencer, virtual camera and real-time 3D | Rendered output and virtual-production pipeline | VFX-heavy and virtual-production work |
Prices and specifications are a September 2026 snapshot. Follow each product name to its official source.
PICK BY THE JOB
Pick by the job
- 01
Align the shot idea before building 3D
Storyflow or Storyboarder. Put frames, notes and references together and decide which shots deserve 3D.
- 02
Try alternate camera ideas with a real lens
SHOT OF THE DEAD. Reopen a saved setup and record a closer, wider or reverse angle as another cut.
- 03
Hand camera and blocking to an AI video model
CozyClay or Blockout. Package camera movement, actor paths, reference video and depth.
- 04
Refine the timing of body action
Choose a tool with detailed pose, choreography, keyframe and timeline editing.
- 05
Solve lighting and VFX before the shoot
FrameForge, Blender or Unreal. Choose by the precision and production scale required.
WHERE SOTD FITS
Where SHOT OF THE DEAD fits
SOTD is for directors exploring shot alternatives before building a finished 3D set or detailed body animation. Reopen a saved cut, change the lens or camera, record the move, and review the result as part of one Cut List sequence.
SOURCE NOTES
Tool notes
SHOT OF THE DEAD
Rapid alternate takes and cut decisions
Reopen a saved shooting setup, keep an alternative, and return it to the same sequence.
Cuts / sequence：Arrange and play in a Cut List; reshoot from a cut
Source used ↗Storyflow
Shot lists and storyboards on one canvas
A planning layer for deciding which shots need 3D before building them.
Cuts / sequence：Keep frames, shot notes and references together on a board
Source used ↗Storyboarder
Fast storyboards and edit rhythm
A draw-first previs workflow; continuous 3D camera recording is not its purpose.
Cuts / sequence：Arrange and time boards as an animatic
Source used ↗CozyClay
Fast shot blocking and AI-video handoff
Author camera rails and body motion in the same Studio.
Cuts / sequence：Edit shots and cuts on a timeline
Source used ↗Blockout
AI-native choreography for camera and cast
Designed for coverage: shoot shared action from several angles.
Cuts / sequence：Share scene blocking across shot cameras and export a stitched animatic
Source used ↗Previs Pro
Animate selected shots from 3D storyboards
Start with boards, then add keyed motion where it matters.
Cuts / sequence：Play still boards and animated shots together in the Player
Source used ↗LensBlock
Detailed offline camera and pose animation
For shot work where you want to edit keys and curves yourself.
Cuts / sequence：Save a scene as JSON and export timeline animation
Source used ↗Blender
Full control over sets, lighting and animation
The widest capability, with the previs workflow assembled by you.
Cuts / sequence：Edit multiple scenes with Scene strips in the Video Sequencer
Source used ↗FrameForge
Detailed camera-accurate 3D previs
Prioritizes handoff-ready precision over lightweight exploration.
Cuts / sequence：Manage shots as camera plans and storyboards
Source used ↗Unreal Engine
VFX-heavy and virtual-production work
Connect previs to a virtual-production stage.
Cuts / sequence：Edit shots and timing in Sequencer
Source used ↗FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need one previs tool for everything?＋
No. Combine tools according to whether the shot needs a drawing, camera and lens decisions, or detailed body timing.
What is the difference between storyboards, 3D blockouts and AI previs?＋
Storyboards answer composition and intent; 3D blockouts answer space, lens and positions; AI previs tests mood and connected motion quickly.
How should I choose a tool when body timing matters?＋
When contact, reactions, dance or walking speed determine the cut, prioritize editable poses, choreography and timing.
Do tools hand different materials to AI video models?＋
Yes. Tools export different levels of material: stills, animatics, video, depth, camera paths or prompts.
Is free and browser-based enough to choose a tool?＋
Not by itself. Decide how much body timing, lens accuracy, set detail, export and collaboration you need.