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Introduction

Since 3D rendering is an integral part of industries such as animation films, special effects, and architectural and design visualization, numerous different programs are available today. Many exist only as integrations with popular modeling software. Others are standalone applications. Some are both. The variety of renderers available can make it challenging to identify the right one for you that fits both your needs and your budget. We’ve compiled the following list of high-quality solutions 2021 to help you find the right 3D rendering software for your business or project. It lists compatible programs, prices, system requirements, and software specialization. Info is relevant for 2021.
Top 3D rendering software

About rendering software 2021 in detail

To better understand the software listed above, we have made for you a detailed description of each of them.

1. 3ds Max

Price: $1,700 per year, with a free 30-day trial

Level: for professionals

OS: Windows

Usage: Modeling, design, animation, architectural visualization

Plugins: V-Ray, Corona Render, Maxwell Ray

3ds Max is rightfully at the top of this list. The program is universal, it is used for both 3D modeling and 3D animation. 3ds Max is user-friendly and easy to learn the software. It works with the V-Ray and Corona Render systems.

This is a powerful 3D architecture and design rendering software, which allows you to create realistic models and detailed volumetric animations. You can also simulate various particles and environments. Use 3ds Max thousands of objects to build the most complex scenes. Finally, you can apply textures and perform ray-traced rendering in the built-in Arnold component.

Pros:

  • Universal software
  • Has improved animation performance
  • Has an extensive library of various modifiers
  • Can speed up the modeling process
  • Allows creating general animation, skinning, character animation
  • Easy to learn.

Cons:

  • High price.

2. V-Ray

Price: $699 per year

Level: for professionals and beginners

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Usage: Architectural rendering and visualization

Plugins: 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya, Modo, Nuke, Revit, Rhinoceros, SketchUp, Unreal

V-Ray is a 3D rendering program that is appropriate for all levels of 3D artists, both beginners, and experienced professionals. Best software for architectural visualization. It is one of the most powerful rendering engines available today. Primarily used in conjunction with 3ds Max. Combining with 3ds Max, V-Ray is also a great software for Interior rendering. The program specializes in lighting and shadows and helps architects and designers create photorealistic images. Allows using a variety of camera effects; provides effects with a depth of field, precise blur.

Pros:

  • Various sets of textures and models to work with
  • Competitive price
  • High speed and high quality
  • Comprehensive list of tools and features

Cons:

  • It has many settings, so it can be difficult to learn.

3. Corona Renderer

Price: €289.99 per year

Level: for professionals and beginners

OS: Windows

Usage: Architectural rendering and visualization

Plugins: 3ds Max, Cinema4D

Compared with 3ds Max or V -Ray, Corona Render is one of the newest 3D architectural rendering software on the market. Provides deep integration with 3ds Max, the program allows you to use complex 3D models. This 3D rendering software is very flexible in terms of how realistic the renders are. It allows creating animations easily and promises great final results.

Pros:

  • Best photorealistic rendering software
  • Ideal for architectural visualization
  • The pretty fast rendering program
  • Attractive price for a year purchase
  • Regular updates and patches from a support team
  • Realistic animations
  • Superb light effects

Cons:

  • Some features missing.

Read about Architectural rendering software.

4. Lumion 3D

Price: From €1499

Level: for professionals

OS: Windows

Usage: 3D modeling and visualization

Plugins: SketchUp, Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD, Bentley, Allplan, Vectorworks, Rhinoceros, 3ds Max

Lumion 3D is a rendering software that is especially suitable for architects who need to work with exteriors. It’s compatible with every other 3D rendering software on the market, making it incredibly useful.

Lumion has one of the best user interfaces, making this software easy to use. This 3D model rendering software includes an extensive library of materials, water, sky, grass, plants, trees, people, and other objects.

The software offers a Pro version. It has some additional features such as audio import for 2D backgrounds, real-time flight, and workflow.

Pros:

  • The interface is easy to use and learn
  • Compatible with virtually all renderers on the market, including CAD
  • Has a set of powerful tools and a simple user interface and
  • The student license is free
  • Allows creating unique designs with minimal effort

Cons:

  • High price

5. Maya

Price: $1700 per year, with a free 30-day trial

Level: for professionals

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux (Red Hat Enterprise, CentOS)

Usage: Animation, 3D modeling, simulation, and rendering

Plugins: Autodesk, Maya Bonus tools

A popular and best software for rendering 3D models, simulations, animations, rendering of complex scenes. Maya is used primarily by 3D designers and artists who create games, special effects, and images for cinema. The program can simulate powerful explosions, realistic movement of clothes or hair, water surface with small waves, or the flight of a bullet – there are special tools and modules for this.

Pros:

  • Has sculpting tools
  • Has various modeling features

Cons:

  • It has many options available, so it can be difficult to learn
  • Sophisticated rigging workflow.

6. SketchUp

Price: From €109 per year, there are free versions for personal use and training

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS

Usage: 3D modeling and architectural design

SketchUp is a simple package for 3D modeling and architectural design. The program is also used in construction and architecture, landscape design and furniture creation, wood processing on machine tools, 3D modeling, and 3D printing. SketchUp also helps create a 3D walkthrough and flythrough animations. The software offers two versions: Free and Paid. It has a user-friendly interface, and it is easy to use. SketchUp is also a great tool for exterior rendering. You can read about this and other Exterior rendering software.

Pros:

  • Universal and quite an easy software
  • Supports all the formats
  • Allows working on 3D models created in other programs
  • Offers to test the 3D model when it is ready
  • Allows creating 3D models of all kinds of products, like furniture

Cons:

  • Rendering is limited
  • Photo-realistic images are not possible using SketchUp alone.

7. Blender

Price: Free, offers Donate

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Usage: 3D modeling

Plugins: BLAM, Amaranth, Gaffer, Flip Fluids

Blender is a completely 3D modeling software. An open-source program for creating 3D graphics and 2D animations. Supports all the tools you need to develop from scratch – from modeling and sculpting to rendering, simulation, post-processing, and video editing. The program has many tools and functions needed to design skyscrapers, houses, bridges, amusement parks, or any other location. It also has powerful built-in 3D sculpting features.

It is perfect for architects. The renders’ engine allows for the greatest physically possible depth to the terrain and helps to provide realistic lighting. Blender has an in-house render – Cycles, that helps to focus on every tiny detail and bring 3D models to life. Interesting in Free rendering software? So, read more about it by the link ahead.

Pros:

  • It is one of the most powerful rendering software free
  • Has many useful animation features
  • Community is helpful

Cons:

  • It may be harder to achieve results than in 3ds Max
  • Difficult to learn.

8. Cinema 4D

Price: $94.00 per month

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS

Usage: 3D modeling and visualization

Cinema 4D is the best software for rendering 3D models. With Cinema 4D you can not only draw, sculpt and model, but also create compositions and animations. It allows you to perform high-quality rendering, and realize unusual 3D effects. It has a great set of features for architects. Cinema 4D is possible to create both realistic and abstract shapes.

Cinema 4D is a versatile program for any 3D renderer, as works as both a renderer and 3D modeling software. It has four available versions for purchase: Studio, Broadcast, Visualize, and Prime.

Pros:

  • Easy of use
  • Compatibility with plugins and render engines
  • A powerful suite of features and tools
  • It’s a 3D modeling software and renderer combined
  • Great lighting options

Cons:

  • Weak UV mapping interface
  • Poor weight-mapping.

9. Enscape

Price: From $39.90 per month, with a free 14-day trial

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows

Usage: Architectural visualization

Plugins: Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, ArchiCAD

Enscape is a real-time 3D rendering software that is mainly aimed at architectural rendering. The software can export project files from Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, and ArchiCAD as standalone executables to provide step-by-step tutorials that can be shared with clients or colleagues. Enscape is also a great tool for supporting the design process.

Pros:

  • It offers various features
  • Material library and material editor overhaul is available for rendering
  • Ability to check and evaluate any changes made

Cons:

  • Does not allow creating batch 360 renderings or animations.

10. Artlantis

Price: From €190, with a free trial

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS

Usage: 3D modeling and visualization

Plugins: Standalone software

Artlantis is a 3D rendering software that has been designed with the needs of architects and designers in mind. It provides a wide variety of presets such as indoor/outdoor lighting for quick changes.

The materials inside Artlantis are based on physical characteristics to achieve photorealistic results. Also, among the advanced shaders are glowing materials. These materials expand the possibilities of scenes that can be illuminated. Soft shadows and blur are easy to adjust with the interactive cursor. Artlantis is popular as realistic rendering software.

With Artlantis you can create a 360-degree panorama in two versions available in this rendering software. You are also free to create both high resolutions still images and high-resolution animation. One of the main features is softening the overall atmosphere of scenes and animations.

Pros:

  • Has a lot of functions
  • Allows to edit a specific outline of an object, image, or scene
  • Allows to manipulate the light rays

Cons:

  • May be confused by too complex models and lots of light sources
  • Hard to edit the material shaders.

11. Revit

Price: $2,545 per year, with a free trial

Level: for professionals

OS: Windows

Usage: 3D modeling and visualization

Autodesk Revit is one of the most powerful rendering engines on the market. It is a software package for a computer-aided design that implements the principle of building information modeling. Designed for architects, designers, and design engineers.

Revit provides opportunities for 3D modeling of building elements and flat drawing of design elements, creating custom objects, organizing teamwork on a project, from concept to the release of working drawings and specifications. Revit database can contain information about a project from concept development to construction. The program has a powerful set of tools and a wide selection of models and textures.

Pros:

  • One of the most powerful architectural programs on the market
  • Has decent rendering capabilities
  • An impressive array of tools and textures on hand
  • Free license for students

Cons:

  • Disconnection of elements while working
  • Revit uses a lot of computer memory.

12. ZBrush

Price: $39.95 per month, with a free 30-day trial

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS

Usage: 3D modeling

ZBrush is a great program to sculpt the desired 3D model. ZBrush allows you to professionally design figures of people, animals, and other objects, and then export them to create three-dimensional animations in other packages.

Among the main functions of ZBrush are 3D modeling, texturing, and painting. The program is used for 3D printing, advertising, creating movies, illustrations, video games, scientific visualization, automotive, and jewelry design. Besides, ZBrush is a popular choice for creating 3D prototypes, mainly in the advertising industry.

Models in ZBrush are made up of points that store 3D coordinates as well as color, depth, orientation, and material. So, it is easy to create a realistic object and paint it using textures and strokes. The program will automatically add natural shadows and highlights. Zbrush is a rather complicated piece of software, so it is hard to master it. Zbrush is one of the best Product rendering software. You can read more about this and other ones.

Pros:

  • The best for sculpting
  • Has the system of customizable brushes
  • Noise sculpting
  • Detailed, high-poly work
  • Re-apologizing

Cons:

  • Difficult and messy UI
  • Not suitable for animation and rigging.

13. Rhino

Price: €995

Level: for professionals and amateurs

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Usage: Architectural visualization

Plugins: Sweet Home 3D

Rhinoceros 3D is an open-source program. It allows to quickly create a new interior and view it from different angles. Great for planning renovation, redevelopment, or rearrangement of furniture. The main features of the software include extremely fast 3D graphics, shaded, unlimited viewports, full-screen display, working views, perspective working views, 3D stereo view modes, two‑point perspective, draw order support, clipping planes, and one-to-one scale to view models at full size.

Modelers use Rhino3D in areas of architectural design, computer-aided design, product design, manufacturing, rapid prototyping, industrial design – automotive and watercraft design, and 3D printing.

Pros:

  • High precision and functionality
  • Allows to easily manipulate the render
  • Allows for easy/rapid iterative process

Cons:

  • Sometimes large files become slow to save.

14. Maxwell

Price: From €745/ Demo version

Level: for professionals and beginners

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Usage: Architectural rendering and visualization

Plugins: 3ds Max, ArchiCAD, Cinema 4D, formZ, Maya, Modo, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, SolidWorks

Maxwell is particularly well suited to architectural rendering needs. The program combines an aesthetic user interface with a powerful set of rendering tools for everything you might need in your projects. It also combines a high degree of realism with an easy-to-understand workflow.

Maxwell is user-friendly open-source software that is free to use and distribute. Endless lighting variations are also stored in a single renderer, saving users time and effort when developing designs. The user also has an extensive library of materials at their disposal, giving architects more options to work with.

Maxwell includes ready-made lights such as fill lights, spots, IESs, projectors, backfills, and more. This allows easy to set up the scene. Key features of the software include network rendering post-production, compatibility with many hair systems, volumetric particle rendering, materials realistic camera model, multi-light FIRE.

Pros:

  • Easy to learn and use
  • Open-source software
  • Has great community support
  • Provides many resources for support

Cons:

  • Slow at rendering
  • The software does not display all the details.

15. Octane Render

Price: €699 per year with a free trial

Level: for professionals

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Usage: 3D rendering, 3D animation

Plugins: 3ds Max, SketchUp, Blender, Cinema 4D, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, DAZ Studio, Houdini, Lightwave, Maya, Revit, Rhinoceros

Octane Render is the popular rendering software that has a really powerful rendering engine with tons of features. Octane Render can handle complex phenomena (such as motion blur, subsurface scattering, and depth of field) that are difficult for other rendering tasks. Octane Render combines fast rendering with quality. This is ambitious software that will match V-Ray and Maxwell.

Pros:

  • Fast rendering software
  • Has a powerful set of tools
  • Great variety of materials and textures
  • Offers free trial for commercial and personal use

Cons:

  • Difficult to use and learn
  • Unstable

Conclusion

When working with 3D visualization, you need to keep your finger on the pulse. After all, the world of technology is changeable and new trends always appear, or familiar tools are improved. Thanks to good software, it is possible not only to create high-quality renders and animations but also to make them as realistic as possible. However, its selection takes place individually, depending on the needs and preferences. We have presented you with the top 3D rendering software 2022 that can best suit all your needs.