Instruction manual

METASPACE INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Metaspace is a 3D sketchbook for iPhone and iPad. This guide covers the full workflow from creating a first space to sharing complete projects as .mtspz files.

  • App: Metaspace (Metaspace 2025 codebase, v16.3)
  • Target platform: iPhone + iPad (iOS 17.5+)
  • Last updated: 2026-02-18
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Intro

What Metaspace Is

Metaspace is a 3D sketchbook where you draw in navigable space instead of on a flat page. You can save camera viewpoints, organize content into layers, and share complete projects.

  • 3D sketching workflow with camera movement.
  • Multiple expressive drawing tools plus shape drawing.
  • Layer-based scene organization.
  • Viewpoint bookmarks with quick recall.
  • Project sharing/import via .mtspz.
  • Demo spaces and in-app learning content.

Quick start

Quick Start (5 Minutes)

  1. Open Metaspace and go to Library.
  2. Tap Create a new Space.
  3. Enter a name, pick a background color, then tap Start.
  4. Tap Edit to enter editing mode.
  5. Switch to Draw and choose a tool and color.
  6. Sketch in the canvas.
  7. Switch to Look and move around your drawing.
  8. Add a viewpoint bookmark to save a camera position.
  9. Use Share (if unlocked) to export the space.

Requirements

Requirements and Permissions

Device and OS

  • iPhone and iPad supported.
  • iOS deployment target: 17.5+.

Permissions and access

  • Photos access for reference image selection.
  • File access/security-scoped access for importing .mtspz files from external locations.
  • Internet access for Demo and Learn content.
  • Store access for unlock purchase flows.

Library

Library and Home Flow

  • Create new spaces.
  • Open existing spaces.
  • Delete spaces.
  • Access Demo browser and Learn.
  • Access controls/help and unlock entry points.
  • Most recent space appears as a hero card.
  • Remaining spaces appear in a grid.
  • On iPhone, creation/help content is shown inline with library flow.

Create space

Create a New Space

  1. In Library, tap Create a new Space.
  2. Set name (optional) and background color.
  3. Tap Start.
  • Metaspace creates a new project container.
  • A new scene file and project metadata are initialized.
  • You enter the editor for that new space.

Open and manage

Open, Delete, and Locking Behavior

Open a space

  1. Tap a space card in Library.
  2. The editor opens with that space loaded.

Delete a space

  1. Tap the ... menu on a space card.
  2. Tap Delete.

Warning: Space deletion is irreversible.

Locked behavior (without unlock)

  • Only the most recently opened space is editable.
  • Additional spaces remain visible but locked.
  • Tapping locked spaces opens unlock guidance.

Editor overview

Editor Overview and Modes

Main editor modes

  • Look: navigation and viewing.
  • Draw: active drawing mode.
  • Erase: tap geometry to remove sketch elements.

Primary UI areas

  • Top bar: close, bookmarks, share, assists, undo/redo (context dependent).
  • Canvas: 3D scene and drawing overlays.
  • Bottom controls: mode picker, tools, edit/open actions.
  • Side/auxiliary controls: navigation panel, layer/settings panel.

Save behavior

  • Project metadata and scene updates are saved automatically.
  • Saves are debounced to keep editing responsive.

Navigation

Navigation Controls

  • Pan/translate camera.
  • Orbit (yaw/tilt).
  • Zoom.
  • Forward/back distance movement.

If Draw with Apple Pencil only is enabled

  • Draw/erase with Apple Pencil.
  • Drag with one finger to move horizontally/vertically.
  • Drag with two fingers to orbit.
  • Pinch to zoom.

If Draw with Apple Pencil only is disabled

  • Draw/erase with one finger.
  • Drag with two fingers to move horizontally/vertically.
  • Drag with three fingers to orbit.
  • Pinch to zoom.

Additional controls

  • Gumball/orbit control for precise orientation changes.
  • Walk slider for forward/back movement.
  • Fullscreen toggle for focus mode.

Drawing

Drawing and Erasing

Available tools: Pen, Pencil, Marker, Monoline, Fountain Pen, Brush (Watercolor), Crayon, and Shape tool.

Drawing workflow

  1. Enter Edit mode.
  2. Switch to Draw.
  3. Open tool picker and choose a tool.
  4. Adjust width and color.
  5. Draw directly in the scene.

Shape tool

Choose shape mode and drag to place a rectangular shape in space.

Ruler

Toggle ruler on/off while drawing for straighter control.

Erase mode

  • Switch to Erase.
  • Tap sketch geometry to delete it.

Undo/Redo

Available from top bar when history exists.

Colour and width

Colours and Tool Width

Color system

  • Standard and monochrome palettes.
  • Recent colors (auto-collected from usage).
  • Saved custom colors.

Custom color actions

  • Add current color to Saved list.
  • Remove saved colors when no longer needed.

Tool width

  • Width is adjustable per tool.
  • Width selections are remembered per tool type.

Layers

Layers and Background

  • Create new layers.
  • Select active layer.
  • Hide/show non-active layers.
  • Delete non-active layers.
  • Set project background color from layer/settings panel.
  • New geometry is added to the current active layer.
  • Hidden layers are excluded from visible editing context and preview generation.

Viewpoints

Viewpoints (Bookmarks)

Viewpoints store camera positions and orientation for quick navigation.

Create a viewpoint

  1. Open bookmarks/viewpoints list.
  2. Tap +.

Use a viewpoint

  1. Tap a saved viewpoint thumbnail.
  2. Camera transitions to that saved view.

Manage viewpoints

  • Delete via context menu.
  • Viewpoint thumbnails are generated from the current project scene.

Playback

In fullscreen, if multiple viewpoints exist, you can play them in sequence.

Assists

Assists and Reference Image

  • Section plane / Full depth toggle.
  • Dot grid toggle on drawing plane.
  • Reference image picker with opacity and scale controls.

Reference image workflow

  1. Open assists.
  2. Choose image from Photos.
  3. Toggle show/hide.
  4. Adjust opacity and scale.

Important note

Assists are temporary editing aids and are not persisted as permanent project content.

Share and import

Share and Import (.mtspz)

Share export

  1. Open a space.
  2. Tap Share.
  3. Wait for packaging to finish.
  4. Use system share sheet to send/save .mtspz.

Package contents

  • Scene (note.scn)
  • Metadata (project.n3d)
  • Preview image (preview.png)

Import workflow

  1. Open a .mtspz file from Files, AirDrop, or another app.
  2. Choose Metaspace as destination.
  3. Metaspace imports and extracts project data.
  4. Imported space appears in Library and opens.

File-level preview

.mtspz supports thumbnail generation through the extension pipeline.

Demo and learn

Demo Spaces and Learn

Demo browser

  • Download sample .mtspz spaces.
  • Open downloaded demos directly.
  • Remove demo files when no longer needed.

Learn section

  • Loads structured help/tutorial items.
  • Supports expandable text and optional video playback.

Important note on demos

  • Demo spaces are marked as [DEMO] in editor context.
  • They are intended for exploration/reference, not long-term editable storage.

Unlock

Unlock and Purchase

Unlock options

  • Monthly subscription
  • Annual subscription
  • Lifetime one-time purchase

Unlocked value

  • Multi-space editing access
  • Sharing/export workflows
  • Full project workflow without lock limitations

If locked

  • Library shows lock constraints.
  • Unlock entry is available from multiple app surfaces.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

I can only edit one space

You are likely in locked mode. Unlock Metaspace for multi-space editing.

Share does not proceed

Confirm app is unlocked, then try again after packaging completes.

Imported .mtspz does not appear immediately

Wait briefly for extraction and refresh. Reopen Library if needed.

Demo/Learn content not loading

Check internet connection and retry from Demo/Learn views.

Reference image is missing in editor

Re-enable Show reference image in assists, or re-pick the image if access was revoked.

Undo/Redo unavailable

No undoable/redoable operations currently exist in history.

FAQ

FAQ

Is Metaspace a 2D drawing app with camera effects?

No. It is a 3D sketch workflow where camera context is part of the project.

What file format does Metaspace use for sharing?

.mtspz, which packages scene, metadata, and preview.

Can I reopen shared files and keep editing?

Yes. Imported .mtspz files are restored as editable spaces.

Do assists get saved into the project?

No. Reference image, dot grid, and section toggles are temporary sketching aids.

How do I move faster through a complex drawing?

Use saved viewpoints, fullscreen mode, and navigation controls together.

Can I work with layers?

Yes. You can create, select, hide/show, and delete layers.

What happens if I delete a space?

Deletion is permanent.

Glossary

Glossary

  • Space: a single Metaspace project.
  • Layer: a visibility/edit grouping inside a space.
  • Viewpoint / Bookmark: a saved camera position and orientation.
  • Assists: temporary visual aids used while sketching.
  • Look mode: navigation/view mode.
  • Draw mode: active drawing mode.
  • Erase mode: tap-to-delete sketch geometry mode.
  • .mtspz: Metaspace portable project package format.