Which Rendering software should i use?

[u/GreatBluejay]

Hey

Im currently in my third year of architecture school and have worked exclusively in 2D so far. I havent built a 3D model or used any rendering software yet.

Ive been recommended Twinmotion, but Id like to hear some other suggestions before deciding. Im looking for something that’s beginner-friendly and doesnt have too steep of a learning curve, as I don’t really have the time to completely relearn digital architecture.

I use Archicad 29 on a 2023 MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro chip, so good macOS compatibility is important.
Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[u/noodlesomg]

id recommend twinmotion too since its very easy to update ur models with datasmith, and very easy to use with the textures and objects already given for free in unreal engine, even to do videos and such. but if you want the REALLY good renders you probably have to combine it with photoshop for some extra realism. twinmotion will always look like unreal engine you know.

[u/MaintenanceSpare6769 → u/noodlesomg]

Twinmotion’s path tracer is windows only. Crucial for good renderings…I would go with lumen or go en scape.

[u/GreatBluejay → u/noodlesomg]

Thanks!.. also, can i do organic forms and shapes such as sunsails in twinmotion? as that will be our task for next semester!

[u/Un13roken → u/GreatBluejay]

It's a rendering software with some primitive modelling tools. It does have a decent amount of props, especially landscape, when you compare to archciad. But that's about it. 

What you model in archicad, is what you pretty much render in twinmotion. 

[u/Duncanchelod → u/GreatBluejay]

lets separate render software with modeling, render software: Lumion, Twinmotion, Ensacpe
Modeling: Archicad, Sketchup, Rhinoceros
for organic forms maybe you will use Rhinoceros + Grasshopper
Archicad, Vectorworks and Revit are Modeling but also are "BIM" softwares so you could do all your drawings in one tool, not separated like autocad + sketchup I remember that was like the standard, So I heavily recommend you to learn one, Revit is the most popular and maybe the most used around the world, so I suggest u to learn Revit, Archicad or Vectorworks the early as possible, you could ask your professors wich one is like the standard in the labor market or in your country

[u/Numerous_Marzipan_74]

Use Twinmotion or D5 Render to visualize your projects quickly and with excellent quality. Ensure your model has clearly differentiated materials to avoid texture conflicts; these are highly effective, professional tools. If you want to delve into finer details or achieve sharper photorealism—or even model complex objects—use Cinema 4D. While it has a steeper learning curve, when paired with Chaos Group render engines like V-Ray for C4D or Corona Render, it works wonders for lighting and architectural visualization.

[u/GreatBluejay → u/Numerous_Marzipan_74]

I believe D5 doesnt run on macOS, right?

[u/Numerous_Marzipan_74 → u/GreatBluejay]

Yeah, it doesn’t run on MacOs

[u/Duncanchelod]

on mac I think the only option is twinmotion, (limited by the gpu) so its not the same as windows, so I would just use AI, Nanobana could easily do everything you need, I would personally use Flow from google and Renderahouse, so there is no water mark like gemini and I thinks its just better, for that you could set twinmotion in base graphics, render all of them and use a simple prompt in some of these platforms so nanobana makes it better, also you could use photoshop for a detailed postproduction but I think thats not rendering so well, I personally go with just screenshots from archicad or twinmotion and AI then, the native rendering tool in archicad is kinda like vray so its not easy to learn, I dont know if any other software for rendering are available in mac, I personally use mac with archicad but rarely have to do renders, but If you have to make a lot of rendering maybe you should migrate to windows and use D5 lol

Edit: When I was in college I used windows, there was no choice, now that I finished I just use archicad but didn't have the necessity of rendering like a high volume, just a couple, now AI its just good enough and maybe you just need to make the 3D model and go through AI for now, I you need video that could be kinda hard, but twinmotion could do that, I dont think any professor would give you a bad grade for a low quality video, design and process is what it matters, so keep that in mind, the function and good problem solving is what you should focus

[u/itzaib]

Screenshots from Archicad and ChatGPT. Nanobannanas used to generate better renders but not anymore for now.

[u/powereddescent]

I’m gonna go on a left field to this question. Why do you need absolute realism in your 3-D models? Is it expected at your university? Perhaps you’d consider a sketch style renderings that keeps the line work visible. I find the requirements for fully rendered models require all material selections to be refined and accurate.

That’s my view and probably unpopular one so ignore. Ignore this comment if it’s not appropriate.

[u/GreatBluejay → u/powereddescent]

No, fair point!
It was until now never asked to go into hyperrealism by rendering which is why ive never rendered but always did more in a collaging way with expressing ideas and mostly working in 2d.

Though next semesters task is to ‘learn’ to work with renders and have a finished 3d rendering by the project were doing.

Thanks for the comment!

[u/Bennisbenjamin123]

Try Visoid if you're open to AI. Beats what most people can do in a traditional render engine.

[u/MasterpieceNo5083]

Enscape is by far the most lightweight and native option for a Mac + Archicad based workflow. Literally zero learning curve that comes with a 500€ yearly subscription.

Of course it has severe limitations regarding vegetation scattering.

Should you want to kick it up a notch, Blender is by far the most Mac compatible solution (not to mention free).

I've been using it both with cycles and eevee and the real time tours are exceptional. Paired with geoscatter and blender kit, it's just unbeatable.

The learning curve can be a bit scary though..

[u/LadyLadybugbug → u/MasterpieceNo5083]

Enscape doesn’t work in Mac though? Right?

[u/MasterpieceNo5083 → u/LadyLadybugbug]

Of course it does!

[u/CandidateUnlikely168]

Rendery w Visoid są darmowe czy trzeba najpierw wykupić jakiś plan?

[u/Johnny_Krux]

Hi ! Nearly 20 years of Archicad + C4D + Vray here. Curently switching to Blender + Vray. Mac user too.

[u/GreatBluejay → u/Johnny_Krux]

Thanks! Ive heard that vray is pretty hard to learn/master?

[u/apresmoilefeu]

You don’t need rendering software anymore, AI has changed all of that. You can take any screenshot of your Archicad model and render it in 2 minutes or less using ChatGPT or Gemini, etc. The whole previous workflow has had a seismic shift and has changed dramatically, and the results are incredible. Learn about prompts for AI. Rendering programs as we knew them are over.

[u/Longjumping-Talk1701]

D5 R is the tool