Fast AI stills from Katana and Arnold preview screenshots for look reviews.
KtoA plug-in workflow for rendering Katana lighting and lookdev scenes with Autodesk Arnold
KtoA plug-in workflow for rendering Katana lighting and lookdev scenes with Autodesk Arnold
Arnold for Katana is built for production lighting and look development, where artists manage KtoA render settings, Arnold lights, shaders, cameras, USD or procedural assets, and AOVs inside Katana before sending final frames to Arnold. RENDERCAD gives lighting artists a faster review checkpoint: capture a Katana Viewer, Monitor, or Arnold preview render screenshot of a character, set, product visualization, or environment look and turn it into a polished still for art direction, client feedback, pitch decks, or material comparisons. Keep Arnold for final sampling, motion blur, volumes, Cryptomatte, EXR passes, and shot delivery; use RENDERCAD when you need a quick visual target before committing render time.
In Katana, frame the asset or shot in the Viewer, Monitor, or Arnold preview render, including the camera angle, lighting rough-in, shader work, material assignments, and any key atmospherics you want preserved. Upload the screenshot to RENDERCAD and generate a polished still for look-review boards, lighting alternatives, and approval images. For API automation, use /developers. Arnold remains the renderer for final frames, AOVs, deep output, Cryptomatte, animation, and pipeline delivery.
Modeled by CADSharp in Onshape. Rendered with RENDERCAD.
Add | Change | or Remove referenced objects with the stroke of a brush.
Tired of keeping up with the latest gen AI models? RENDERCAD is powered by a proprietary ensemble of the most cutting-edge AI engines, always up to date and fine-tuned to strictly maintain your design intent.
| Feature | RENDERCAD | Arnold for Katana (KtoA) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Autodesk Arnold Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer inside Katana via KtoA |
| Output | Images + Video | Final rendered frames, image sequences, EXR/AOV passes, and lookdev previews from Katana |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Defined by Katana and Arnold render settings and camera output |
| Image Speed | ≈10 - 60 Seconds | Scene-dependent CPU or GPU rendering; higher samples, volumes, motion blur, and AOVs can increase render time |
| Video Speed | ≈1 - 5 Minutes | Animation is rendered per frame through Arnold and Katana batch or farm workflows |
| Scene Set Up | Zero | Katana node graph with KtoA render settings, Arnold lights, cameras, shaders, materials, procedurals or USD assets, and AOVs |
| Input | Screen Snip | Katana scenes using KtoA, Arnold nodes, procedurals, USD or asset pipeline inputs, and renderer-specific material networks |
| Hardware | Cloud GPU | Desktop Katana workflow on supported systems with matching KtoA and Arnold builds |
| Install | None | KtoA plug-in installation required; build compatibility depends on the installed Katana and Arnold versions |
| Cost | from $20/mo | Autodesk Arnold licensing and Katana licensing are required for production use; terms vary by region and account type |
Read the numbers. We trust you to know theirs.
Skip the setup tax. Pick the condition, material, and background with just a click while RENDERCAD handles the heavy lifting. No lighting rigs, no environment setup, no 45-minute wait; get photorealistic results in seconds.
™
RENDERCAD™
We bring the tools directly to you. Overlay your system with our web app. Desktop app & browser extension are being redesigned and will be back soon.
Get StartedCommon solutions for Arnold for Katana users
It acts as a powerful upscaler. It takes a jagged, low-res CAD screenshot, real photo, or hand drawing and reconstructs it into a sharp, 4K render in 10-60 seconds.
It calculates "Ambient Occlusion" (shadows in cracks) and "Soft Shadows" simultaneously, grounding the object so it doesn't look like it's floating.
Agile teams need speed. The ability to upload or snip an image, prompt, and share keeps the design conversation moving faster than traditional rendering pipelines.
It shifts the workflow from "Computing Physics" to "Describing Intent." It is the natural evolution of how we interact with digital 3D data.
Upload a photo of the actual painted sample or Pantone chip. The AI color-matches your render to the physical reference.
Yes. Mask the label area of your packaging model and apply your actual artwork as a reference image to that specific region.
Yes. Save successful reference images in organized folders. Over time, you build a personal material and style library for consistent rendering.
Upload your image or snip your screen. In RENDERCAD, prompt "Polished Gold" and set Background to "Grey" or "Gradient." The AI generates the necessary reflections to simulate a metallic surface.
Instead of fighting exposure sliders, re-render the image in RENDERCAD. The AI automatically balances exposure to ensure your product is bright and visible.
Use RENDERCAD's "Gentle Orbit" camera setting in the Image-to-Video tab. It generates a subtle rotating view from a single static image.
Use RENDERCAD's History page. You can upload CAD screenshots, real photos, or hand drawings from different angles and re-render them one by one using your credit balance.
You must upgrade your plan or wait for your monthly refresh. Choose a plan before rendering.