Designer's Toolkit

Curated next-gen resources for boundary-pushing scenic designers. Access cutting-edge visualization tools, AI innovations, and industry connections that transform creative workflows.

United Scenic Artists, Local 829

A labor union for scenic designers and artists in entertainment.

Industry Resources

USITT

Professional organization for theatre technology and design.

Industry Resources

ControlBooth Forums

Online forums for technical theatre and scenic design discussions.

Industry Resources

RISE Theatre

A directory connecting underrepresented theatre professionals with job opportunities.

Industry Resources

Fab

Epic Games' new 3D asset marketplace.

3D Modeling Assets

SketchUp 3D Warehouse

Free 3D models compatible with Vectorworks.

3D Modeling Assets

Quixel Megascans

Photorealistic scanned textures and materials.

3D Modeling Assets

CC0Textures

Free textures for rendering and 3D design.

3D Modeling Assets

TurboSquid

Premium and free 3D models for rendering.

3D Modeling Assets

CGTrader

Marketplace for high-quality 3D assets.

3D Modeling Assets

Archive3D

Free collection of 3D models, quality varies.

3D Modeling Assets

Axyz-Design

High-quality scanned human figures.

3D Modeling Assets

HDRI Haven

HDR images for realistic lighting in renders.

3D Modeling Assets

RenderPeople

Photorealistic 3D human models for scene visualization.

3D Modeling Assets

Convert3D

Found the perfect model, but it's not compatible with your software. Use this site.

3D Modeling Assets

Vectorworks Help Manual

Official Vectorworks user guide.

Software

Vectorworks Community Forums

User forums for Vectorworks software.

Software

Twinmotion

Visualization tool for architecture and scenic design.

Software

Unreal Engine Official Site

Real-time 3D creation tool for scenic visualization.

Software

Arch Synth

Various AI 3D Modeling Tools to convert 2D to 3D.

AI Tools for 3D Artists

Adobe Firefly

Adobe's AI for generating textures and materials.

AI Tools for 3D Artists

Runway ML

AI-powered content generation for 3D and video.

AI Tools for 3D Artists

Midjourney

AI Art generator to create graphics and backdrops.

AI Tools

Paramount Moulding

Downloadable DWGs for scenic moulding profiles.

Scenic Materials

Rose Brand

Theatrical fabrics, materials, and scenic supplies.

Scenic Materials

Reynolds Advanced Materials

Mold-making and casting supplies for scenic elements.

Scenic Materials

OffStageJobs

Job board for backstage and technical theatre jobs.

Job Listings & Networking

Artsearch by TCG

Theatre Communications Group job listings.

Job Listings & Networking

Unsplash

Free high-quality stock images.

Free Stock Photos & Reference Images

Pixabay

Free stock images and vector graphics.

Free Stock Photos & Reference Images

MX Master 3S Mouse

A precision wireless mouse with ergonomic design, customizable buttons, and MagSpeed scrolling for seamless workflow.

Hardware Recommendations

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

Hardware Recommendations

Apple Studio Display

A 27-inch 5K Retina monitor with ultra-sharp visuals, professional color accuracy, and built-in speakers for an immersive experience.

Hardware Recommendations

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

A sleek, wireless keyboard with Touch ID for secure login and a comfortable typing experience.

Hardware Recommendations

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.

Hardware Recommendations

PureRef

Free tool for organizing reference images.

Other Useful Tools & Research

Building Technology Heritage Library

Historic scenic design documents and period research.

Other Useful Tools & Research

The Designer’s Assistant Blog

Insights and techniques from a professional set designer.

Other Useful Tools & Research