Create stunning photorealistic images and videos from any CAD system, real life photo, or even a quick napkin sketch.
60 SECONDS. ZERO CONFIGURATION. STUNNING RESULTS.
AmbientOcclusion is a SketchUp rendering extension for turning modeled scenes into quick ambient-occlusion previews, still images, batch scene renders, and animation output in higher editions. It is most useful when the design work already lives inside SketchUp and the goal is fast depth, shadow, texture, and presentation refinement.
AmbientOcclusion is strongest when a finished or near-finished SketchUp model needs fast visual depth directly inside SketchUp. Its workflow starts from model geometry, scenes, materials, SketchUp camera settings, and extension controls such as quality, resolution, shadows, depth of field, backgrounds, and environment lighting. RENDERCAD is different: it starts from a viewport screenshot, so designers can explore render directions without installing a SketchUp extension, exporting a model, or staying inside one CAD application.
Choose AmbientOcclusion when the source design is already a SketchUp model and you want a local plugin workflow for ambient occlusion, textured previews, batch scene rendering, or SketchUp-based animation output. It keeps iteration close to the model and gives SketchUp users direct control over scene setup and render parameters. Choose RENDERCAD when you need a faster handoff from a visible viewport to improved render output, especially across mixed CAD, architectural, product, or design tools. RENDERCAD does not replace SketchUp modeling or scene management; it is better for screenshot-led concept rendering, style exploration, and turning an existing design view into a more polished visual without plugin setup.
Screenshot the CAD viewport you already have, render in the browser, and download a client-ready still or video without exports, plugins, or GPU setup.
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 | AmbientOcclusion (SketchUp) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Ambient occlusion renderer |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | ≈10 - 60 Seconds | Seconds to minutes |
| Video Speed | ≈1 - 5 Minutes | Varies by workflow |
| Scene Set Up | Zero | Varies by workflow |
| Input | Screen Snip | Varies by tool |
| Materials | 2,600+ Textures | Library varies |
| Backgrounds | 1300+ Backgrounds | Tool-dependent |
| Conditions | 40+ Effects | Tool-dependent |
| References | Up to 3 Per Render | Varies |
| Hardware | Cloud (None Required) | Desktop (Win/Mac) |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $20/mo | Paid plugin with trial options |
Side by side, feature by feature. See how RENDERCAD's AI approach compares with AmbientOcclusion (SketchUp)'s interactive visualization workflow.
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.
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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 questions about RENDERCAD vs AmbientOcclusion (SketchUp)
With RENDERCAD, upload your image or snip your screen, type "Carbon Fiber" in the prompt, and the AI retextures your image realistically in 10-60 seconds. No UV mapping or texture coordinates required.
Yes. Select the Realistic engine, set Condition to Clean, and type "Brushed Aluminum." The AI applies correct texture orientation to your geometry automatically.
Prompt "Sunny Forest" or "Urban Street" and RENDERCAD generates a matching environment in 10-60 seconds. No scene file or environment map setup.
RENDERCAD handles studio lighting automatically - select a Gradient or White background for a clean studio look. No manual light placement or HDRI setup needed.
Yes. The Gentle Orbit camera setting generates subtle rotation from a single static image automatically.
Yes. The Seamless Loop option ensures the last frame matches the first for perfect looping - ready for social media, websites, and displays.
No. RENDERCAD runs on cloud GPUs, so you can render 4K images on a basic laptop or even a Chromebook. Your computer never slows down.
RENDERCAD still-image jobs usually complete in about 10 - 60 seconds. Competing real-time tools may preview quickly, but final output speed still depends on scene complexity, hardware, export settings, and output quality.
RENDERCAD starts at $20/month with credits that refresh monthly - predictable costs with no upfront investment or perpetual license fees.
RENDERCAD works from 2D images. Upload a CAD screenshot, real photo, or hand drawing - no file conversion, no exports, no compatibility issues.
Yes. RENDERCAD understands materials semantically - it knows what brushed aluminum should look like without you defining roughness values, IOR, or shader parameters.
RENDERCAD excels at rapid client presentations. It delivers impressive photorealistic results in seconds, enabling real-time feedback sessions during design reviews.
Trusted by Architects, Product Designers, and Engineering Teams