Best 3D Rendering Software
3D rendering software is a computer application that takes user-created 3D models and places them into fully realized 3D environments or images. These tools help professionals across various industries, including film, architecture, VFX, video gaming, fashion design, automotive design, and more. With 3D rendering programs, graphic designers and media developers can insert diverse objects and characters imported from 3D modeling programs into a graphically appropriate setting.
Some popular features of 3D rendering include unidirectional path tracing, real-time viewpoint previews, physically based rendering (PBR) shaders, high dynamic range (HDR) lighting support, virtual reality (VR) support, GPU rendering, and more. These 3D-rendered images are often scalable, high-quality, navigable, and interactive. 3D rendering software may include animation tools or integrate with animation software to bring scenes to life for later use in video games, movies, television shows, or other media. These programs also have features such as lighting and texturing, adding depth and realism to scenes.
To qualify for inclusion in the 3D Rendering category, a product must:
Best 3D Rendering Software At A Glance
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- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Real-time rendering and virtual reality that brings your visual exploration directly into your modeling tools so you can focus on creating, designing, and building. Enscape plugs directly into your mo
- Architect
- Director
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 79% Small-Business
- 15% Mid-Market
31,397 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
D5 Render is a real-time ray tracing renderer for architecture, landscape, interior design, engineering and other 3D professionals. This software is fully compatible with SketchUp, 3ds Max, Revit, Arc
- Architect
- Arquitecto
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 95% Small-Business
- 3% Mid-Market
2,624 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
Bring your imagination to life with Maya® 3D animation, modeling, simulation, and rendering software. Maya helps artists tell their story with one fast, creative toolset.
- 3D Artist
- Director
- Animation
- Computer Games
- 60% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
- Reviewers like that Maya is a powerful tool that can edit large data sets in a short amount of time to create realistic 3D models- but some mention that it is very costly.
- Reviewers appreciate the complete 3D package that Maya offers, especially for animation purposes, but some say that it is difficult to master.
283,788 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
Blender is an open source 3D creation suite that supports the 3D pipeline, modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, video editing, and game creation.
- Software Engineer
- Animation
- Computer Games
- 74% Small-Business
- 12% Mid-Market
- Reviewers like the robust features and frequent updates offered by Blender such as UV mapping, texturing objects, animations and more to support complex modeling for 3D printing.
- Reviewers value that Blender is an open-source free-to-use software, even though some have noted that the user-interface is a bit complicated, especially for beginners.
- Reviewers appreciate the functional versatility that Blender offers, as users are able to use it for 3D modeling, 3D rendering, 2D animation, texturing, and more- but some mention that there is a steep learning curve.
84,999 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Coohom, a leading global cloud-based, all-in-one 3D design platform, that provides software and services to empowers designers and businesses to effortlesssly bring ideas to life, streamline processes
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 90% Small-Business
- 9% Mid-Market
814 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
Chaos® V-Ray® is a 3D rendering plugin that integrates seamlessly with industry-standard tools like SketchUp, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Rhino, Revit, and more. Designed to meet the needs of creative p
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 75% Small-Business
- 16% Mid-Market
- Reviewers like the architectural modeling capabilities that V-Ray offers, especially the light settings and editing, but some say it has a steep learning curve.
- Reviewers appreciate the great materials and texture library that V-Ray offers, but some mention that the application may run slowly sometimes.
31,397 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
Unity is the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, RT3D content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects,and automotive designers to filmmakers and mor
- Unity Developer
- Game Developer
- Computer Games
- Computer Software
- 74% Small-Business
- 18% Mid-Market
- Reviewers appreciate Unity’s asset shot, which allows users to purchase and download scripts directly from their platform, reducing the amount of time searching for or developing scripts.
- Reviewers find it useful that the Unity community is so large, because other users are readily available to help them resolve issues.
- Reviewers like that Unity is a cross-platform application, because it can run on multiple platform types, such as Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux- but some find it difficult to learn how to use at first.
104,976 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Twinmotion is a real-time visualization software changing the way architects and designers interact with their models.
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- 63% Small-Business
- 25% Mid-Market
5,509,465 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
3ds Max Design software is a comprehensive 3D design, modeling, animation, and rendering solution for architects, designers, civil engineers, and visualization specialists.
- Interior Designer
- Architect
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 62% Small-Business
- 24% Mid-Market
- Reviewers appreciate that 3ds Max Design enables them to design 3D models and create a high resolution rendering of the model, which allow animations to be lifelike.
- Reviewers like that this product can be used widely in the architecture industry because of the photorealistic renderings it can create.
- Reviewers enjoy 3ds Max Design’s intuitive user interface- but some think the interface could be more harmonious with other Autodesk products.
283,788 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Direct3D is a low-level graphics API that enables you to manipulate visual models of 3D objects and take advantage of hardware acceleration such as video graphics cards.
- 38% Enterprise
- 38% Small-Business
14,039,026 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
KeyShot is the leading Product Design-to-Market Suite, empowering companies worldwide to seamlessly turn product visions into market-ready realities. By integrating every phase of the product journey
- Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Design
- Higher Education
- 69% Small-Business
- 17% Mid-Market
- Reviewers like that Keyshot is extremely easy to use and how quickly it produces 3D renderings, but some mention that it lacks the robust features that other applications have.
- Reviewers appreciate that Keyshot is great for students to learn and practice the basics of 3D modeling and rendering.
9,854 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Chaos® Corona is a 3D rendering plugin known for its intuitive design and ease of use. Compatible with 3ds Max and Cinema 4D, Corona simplifies the rendering process, making high-quality visuals acces
- Architecture & Planning
- Design
- 96% Small-Business
- 4% Mid-Market
31,397 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Adobe Dimension CC makes it easy for graphic designers to create high-quality, photorealistic 3D images.It composites 2D and 3D assets to build product shots, scene visualizations, and abstract art.
- Graphic Design
- Design
- 65% Small-Business
- 19% Mid-Market
973,885 Twitter followers
- Overview
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
NVIDIA IRAY is physically based rendering technology that generates photorealistic imagery by simulating the physical behavior of light and materials.
- 100% Small-Business
2,322,755 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- What G2 Users Think
- Seller Details
Cinema 4D Studio is the very best that MAXON has to offer for professional 3D artists. If you want to create advanced 3D graphics but need a helping hand to ensure you create jaw-dropping graphics qui
- Creative Director
- Design
- Animation
- 72% Small-Business
- 15% Mid-Market
- Reviewers like that Cinema 4D can be used for a wide range of 3D applications to create high quality visualizations, however some mention that it lacks adequate training documentation.
- Reviewers appreciate the impressive animation tools that Cinema 4D offers, especially because of the clean and visually appealing work environment, but some modeling tools, such as retopology, can be improved.
- Reviewers enjoy how easy this product is to use, however some say it is very expensive.
60 Twitter followers
Learn More About 3D Rendering Software
What is 3D rendering?
3D rendering software is a process that takes previously created 3D models and seamlessly places them into a fully actualized 3D environment or image. 3D rendering involves adding textures and lighting to models of objects to create lifelike, photorealistic images depending on the style and purpose.
Graphic designers and media developers use 3D rendering to take contrasting characters and objects, typically imported from 3D modeling software, and place them into a graphically appropriate environment.. Some 3D rendering solutions may include or integrate with animation software so animators can bring their scenes to life. Features like lighting and texturing allow users to add depth to their scenes and make them as realistic as possible. Visual artists in industries such as entertainment, automotive, architecture, advertising, interior design, and web design can use 3D rendering software to create lifelike scenes for client engagement purposes or to create new types of media.
Common features of 3D rendering software
3D rendering solutions come equipped with several features for users’ design needs. The following features are commonly found in 3D rendering solutions:
- Render setup: A 3D rendering solution should allow users to generate reusable templates to quickly render a complex scene.
- Surface modeling: These tools enable users to continue their work on 3D models once they have been imported into the 3D rendering solution. You can modify, align, and digitally transform the geometry of your objects.
- Animation tools: 3D rendering solutions typically include character animation functionality. This functionality lets the user detail the model's surface, along with perfecting its movements.
- Motion paths: This feature lets users preview the path animated objects will follow. Users can adjust the direction of the paths and convert them to and from splines. They can also add a curve to the object’s path.
- Physical camera: 3D rendering software may also offer a physical camera that will integrate with the user’s scene. This feature is ideal for users hoping to create a photorealistic, physically based rendering. Additionally, a physical camera integration can help with exposure control.
Benefits of using 3D rendering software
3D rendering offers a wide range of benefits across industries. Some of the key benefits of this software type include:
- Visualization: 3D rendering allows users to create a compelling, highly realistic visualization, helping them present their concepts appealingly. This can speed up the design and visualization process, leading to quicker decision-making. Various industries can use it for architectural visualization, photorealistic rendering, and more.
- Design iteration: Designers can easily iterate and make changes to their prototypes or models in a virtual space, allowing quick adjustments without creating a physical prototype.
- Marketing and advertising: 3D rendering can be used extensively in marketing and advertising to create visually appealing and impactful promotional material.
- Cost saving: The need for physical prototypes and mockups are reduced, leading to cost savings.
- Training and simulation: It can be used by healthcare, aviation, architecture, and other industries to create training material.
- Collaboration: 3D rendering software helps users easily share and review work done by multiple stakeholders, thus fostering collaboration among both internal teams and clients.
- Precision and accuracy: 3D rendering software offer users complete control over their designs. These tools typically integrate with CAD solutions and can store necessary images from the project. Data from these solutions can provide information, like the distance between two points on your model. So, thanks to those integrations, users can have access to precise measurements as they design.
Who uses 3D rendering software?
3D rendering software is typically used by those working in entertainment and design fields. This includes, but is not limited to, the following industries:
- Animation: The vast majority of animation nowadays is 3D instead of 2D. Animators start by creating a 3D model and then uploading it to a 3D rendering platform. Modeling tools will let animators put these static 3D models into motion. Some animation software comes equipped with 3D rendering capabilities, but many will integrate with 3D rendering solutions.
- Architecture: 3D rendering tools and architectural rendering software can also be used in the design process for objects that aren’t intended to move. Users begin by creating a model of their building in computer-aided design (CAD) or 3D modeling platforms. They subsequently upload these models into 3D rendering tools. The tools, then, capture building data from CAD software or 3D modeling platforms. Therefore, architects have that information at hand and are enabled to design and manipulate their building model from any angle.
- Advertising: Advertising professionals can use 3D rendering software for purposes similar to animators. 3D rendering tools enable users to create more interactive media. This allows advertisers to create more engaging advertisements for their audience.
3D rendering software pricing
Different pricing models are available for different 3D rendering software. Each software may offer unique features and subscription models. This pricing is sourced from existing pricing information found on G2.
- Min annual price per license: $269.85
- Min annual price per license (without free): $269.85
- Max annual price per license: $1795.00
- Average annual price per license: $682.72
How to choose the best 3D rendering software
Choosing the best 3D rendering software depends on several factors—industry, personal preferences, specific needs, budget, and more.
- Identify requirements: Every industry has different requirements. The user must list the essential features required from the 3D rendering software and go through the list before finalizing the software.
- Budget considerations: One must determine the budget allocated to software usage. Multiple options and price variations, free trials, and subscriptions are available in the market today. A user must, try out trial versions, demos, or free versions whenever possible to gauge the software's compatibility with their workflow.
- Integration: It is essential to check if the software integrates well with other tools commonly used. Compatibility with file formats is crucial for smooth collaboration. There are certain open-source software that are readily available and integrate well with other tools.
- Availability: A large and active user community can be beneficial for getting help, tutorials, and third-party plugins. The availability of customer support and documentation is also beneficial to 3D artists.
- Learning curve: The user interface and workflow should be evaluated. Choosing software that aligns with skill level, has a user-friendly interface, can be used by beginners without extensive training, and offers a comfortable learning curve is ideal.
- Updates and development: Regular software updates indicate active maintenance and improvement. Depending on the requirements, the history of updates and the development roadmap for different operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, should be considered..
- Scalability: Some software may be better suited for smaller projects, while others excel in handling large, complex scenes.
Potential issues with 3D rendering software
3D rendering software, like floor plan software, is massively useful to those in building and design industries. However, as with every software solution, 3D rendering tools have potential disadvantages.
- Unrealistic expectations: Some experts in the industry argue that 3D rendering can give users unrealistic expectations for what their final product may look like. As the product often ends up looking different in real life, these tools can sometimes provide deceiving designs and confusing concepts for the client.
- Cost: 3D rendering can allow users to create an incredibly realistic design of a building or an object. But because that design is so realistic, it can often be incredibly expensive. These solutions may be out of budget for smaller businesses or individual users.
