Kanvaz
github.com
What it is
Kanvaz is an offline reference board for VFX and 3D artists, as well as anyone who collects and connects visual material. Its infinite canvas can hold 3D models, images, GIFs, video, audio, notes, colors, URLs and file pointers. Supported 3D models can be orbited live, viewed in different shading modes and played with animation; previewing .blend files requires Blender. Seven kinds of typed relationships link references, which users can explore as a graph in Map View. A single card can appear on multiple boards, with edits carried across those appearances. An optional MCP Bridge lets Claude Desktop or Claude Code read and change the active board over local IPC, and those changes enter undo history. Kanvaz supports plugins for card types, commands, themes and other features; its maker says creators can sell plugins without a marketplace cut. Boards are stored locally in .kanvaz ZIP containers with embedded assets and SHA-256 integrity hashes. The maker says there are no accounts, telemetry or cloud storage, and network requests are user initiated. Kanvaz is free forever, MIT licensed and available for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Kanvaz is an offline infinite-canvas reference board for VFX and 3D artists and others who collect and connect visual references.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audience
- The maker describes Kanvaz as built for VFX artists, 3D artists, and people whose work involves collecting, connecting, and revisiting references.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The optional MCP Bridge lets Claude Desktop or Claude Code read and modify the active board over local IPC, with changes recorded in undo history.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The security policy says only the latest release receives security updates and asks vulnerability reporters to email the maker rather than open a public issue.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy
- The maker says Kanvaz has no accounts, telemetry, or cloud storage, and that network requests are user initiated; boards are stored locally.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The maker invites bug reports and feature requests through GitHub issues or email and says updates ship most weeks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Headquarters
- Navi Mumbai, IndiaRead 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- 3D preview
- Supported 3D models can be orbited live with multiple shading modes and animation playback; Blender must be installed to preview .blend files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Connections
- Users can connect references through seven typed relationships and view them as a graph in Map View.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- File format
- A .kanvaz board is a ZIP container with board data and embedded assets, each checked with a SHA-256 integrity hash.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Limitations
- The maker lists text-only custom properties, possible MKV/AVI playback issues, no PDF text search, and an unsigned macOS build among known limitations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Media
- Boards support 3D models, images, GIFs, video, audio, notes, colors, URLs, and file pointers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Plugins
- Kanvaz supports plugins for card types, commands, themes, and features, and says creators can sell plugins without a marketplace cut.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Shared cards
- The same reference card can appear on multiple boards, with edits reflected wherever it is used.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Holds 3D models, video, audio, notes and more.
- Seven typed links can be viewed in Map View.
- Cards can be shared across boards.
- Available free forever under the MIT license.
- Runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
Limits
- Previewing .blend files requires Blender.
- The maker lists possible MKV/AVI playback issues.
- Custom properties are text-only.
- The macOS build is unsigned.
Who it suits
Kanvaz suits VFX and 3D artists, and others who need to collect, connect and revisit visual references. It may also suit users who want an offline board with support for varied media and plugin extensions.
Verdict
Kanvaz combines a broad set of reference media with linked-card views and local storage. Check its listed playback and macOS limitations, and note that only the latest release receives security updates.
Where Specifiction places it
- Mood Board Software#6 of 248.1