Creating stunning visuals which can be nearly as good as photographic images, ensures that the key design characteristics and ambience of the spaces you have imagined are clearly understood and visualised in context.

What is architectural rendering?

Architectural rendering, sometimes referred to as ‘visualisation’, is the process of creating a visual image of a design project. These can either be:

• Two-dimensional (2D) renderings based on the plan, section or elevation drawings
• Three-dimensional (3D) architectural renderings utilising computer-aided drawings (CAD) or building information models (BIM) models.

Both types of rendering allow the visualisation of a design idea, or a representation of the completed building, space or interior. As software development has become more advanced, architectural rendering has become the norm, sometimes with full animations and the introduction of virtual or immersive reality. Some software applications even offer the option of walkthrough experiences.

The 10 best rendering software options

With client expectations being so high, photo-realistic architectural rendering is now a minimum requirement for most projects. Rendering technology has allowed full-blown virtual reality (VR) experiences for clients. Such realistic outputs also enable positive planning decisions to be made more easily.

Choosing the best and most suitable architectural rendering software is therefore paramount to ensure successful projects.

1. Enscape

This can work as a standalone or as a plugin for some of the most-used design software, such as Rhino 3D, ArchiCAD, Revit and Vectorworks. This provides integrated visualisation and design workflows. It is considered easy to use with an intuitive user interface which doesn’t require prior or specialist knowledge. Utilising real-time technology, it automatically updates throughout the process from pre-design to full documentation stages. Enscape ensures that clients fully experience the project before construction takes place.

2. Lumion

Another user-friendly tool, Lumion provides high-quality outputs and has fast rendering capabilities. Having preloaded modelling elements also speeds up the process. There are a number of real-life environments included to choose from such as real skies, daylight, vegetation and other tactile materials together with a variety of atmospheric conditions such as rain and snow. It is also compatible with major CAD and BIM 3D modelling software.

3. Twinmotion

Set up to link to existing CAD or BIM files, all data is transferred to Twinmotion with a single click, ensuring seamless integration for real-time architectural rendering. With extensive capabilities, it has interactive creation tools to easily produce and support virtual reality scenarios.

4. V-Ray

Often integrated with Sketchup software, as well as being a popular architectural tool, it now offers real-time 3D visualisation. V-Ray also has an array of features, materials and lighting libraries to choose from. It supports CPU (central processing unit), GPU (graphics processing unit) and Hybrid rendering. Again, this software allows overlays on top of other software’s viewports with an interactive process and automatic changes.

5. Octane Render

Rather than using a CPU, Octane Render uses a graphics card (GPU rendering) meaning a faster rendering process and an accurate render output. Real-time changes are made instantly and the user can manipulate lighting from a choice of various files, mesh emitters and spectral sun/sky daylighting systems. Its Volumetric Rendering system means that fog, cloud, fire and other particulate matter can be rendered with varying degrees of intensity and it also has a photorealistic rendering of other natural and organic materials.

6. Corona Renderer

Developed by the same company as V-Ray (Chaos Group), Corona Renderer is another easy-to-use software which creates good-quality renders. In addition to photorealistic visualisation, it can also support other designing workflows. Chaos Scatter enables you to easily add details such as parked cars, fallen leaves or grass. Chaos Cosmos provides other preset materials and models to use.

7. Arnold

Particularly used by animators and VFX artists, it is excellent for animations and visual effects, rendering complex images within a simple workflow. It can be used for architectural rendering, especially where fine detail is required as it is suitable for high-performance and high-speed motion outputs. Developed by Autodesk, it is not compatible with Revit or AutoCAD.

8. Unreal Engine

According to its own description, it is ‘the world’s most advanced real-time 3D creation tool’. It is a very powerful rendering tool and another which is used within the game and film arena. It is also used in the automotive and transport industries as well as in architectural settings. Realistic immersive experiences are created in real-time.

9. D5 Render

This is an architect-friendly rendering software which has over 8000 high-quality plants, vehicles, people and furniture to utilise. As with other rendering software, it includes weather, sky, materials and camera settings which all help to create a realistic, smooth rendering process with high-quality results. It also supports 4K video renders. It can be used for other design visualisation, but it is very well-suited for architectural design. A relatively new rendering software, it is fast and reliable and has plugins for Revit and ArchiCAD, however, it is only available for Windows OS.

10. Keyshot

A standalone rendering software, it offers advanced 3D rendering capabilities. It supports both CPU or GPU rendering and has a workflow-based interface. Often used for industrial, jewellery or product design visualisation, its many realistic materials make it a good choice for other creations. It has a library of ‘scientifically accurate’ materials, which enhances photo realism to enable shine and sparkle on jewellery, for example.

Which architectural rendering software should you choose?

As the above list of the best architectural rendering software applications shows, there are certain factors to consider when deciding which one to use. You may wish to consider the different pricing options available – most come with licensing and/or subscription fees with only one being free for architects to use.

The outputs are similar, but the quality, speed and realism will be important factors, as well as how easy each software application is to use.

How can Born Digital help?

Having worked in the computer graphics industry for over 25 years, Born Digital works with industry-leading 3D modelling and rendering software to give our clients efficiency and flexibility married with realism and accuracy.

Contact us today to create realistic interior and external 3D architectural visualisations and renderings. We can also help you with other 2D and 3D plans, designs and illustrations. Please get in touch with us to discuss your upcoming projects and how we might help.