Create stunning photorealistic images and videos from any CAD system, real life photo, or even a quick napkin sketch.
IMAGE RENDERS COMPLETE IN 60 SECONDS.
ArchiCAD CineRender is Archicad's built-in Maxon-based photorendering workflow for producing architectural stills from BIM models using scene cameras, surfaces, lighting, render effects, and quality settings. It serves architects and BIM teams who want visualization output without leaving Archicad.
ArchiCAD CineRender is strongest when a project already lives in Archicad and the team wants native BIM-scene rendering with Archicad surfaces, cameras, sun studies, lamps, render presets, and Cineware/CineRender controls. RENDERCAD starts from the visible design image instead: upload an Archicad viewport, interior angle, facade option, elevation, or presentation screenshot and generate a polished still without rebuilding a render scene or tuning detailed photorender settings. CineRender offers tighter control over the Archicad model; RENDERCAD is simpler for fast client visuals across tools.
ArchiCAD CineRender and RENDERCAD both help architecture teams create better presentation visuals, but they sit at different points in the workflow. CineRender works inside Archicad, so it benefits from the live BIM model, saved views, cameras, lights, surface assignments, transparency and refraction settings, physical-render options, and post effects. That makes it useful when the deliverable depends on exact model geometry, repeatable Archicad camera views, consistent material definitions, or a rendering workflow that stays tied to the BIM file.
RENDERCAD is image-first. It does not replace Archicad's BIM model, construction documents, or native renderer controls; it is useful after a good view already exists. A designer can upload a viewport screenshot, exported interior view, facade study, site massing image, or client-presentation angle and produce a cleaner still without exporting geometry, configuring CineRender effects, or relying on a local rendering workstation. Use CineRender when the renderer needs full access to the Archicad scene. Use RENDERCAD when the practical goal is quick visual polish from an existing design view.
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.
RENDERCAD uses a maintained selection of image-generation models for different rendering tasks. Results can vary by model and input, so compare generated output with the source design before relying on geometry, materials, or dimensions.
| Feature | RENDERCAD | ArchiCAD CineRender |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Integrated ray tracing renderer |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | Image renders complete in 60 seconds. | Interactive previews to longer final renders |
| Video Speed | Videos complete in 2-5 minutes. | Varies by workflow |
| Scene Set Up | No separate local scene | 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 6 Per Render | Varies |
| Hardware | Cloud (None Required) | Desktop Archicad (Windows, macOS) |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $9/mo | Included with supported Archicad access |
Side by side, feature by feature. See how RENDERCAD's AI approach compares with ArchiCAD CineRender's rendering workflow.
Skip a separate local scene build. Pick a condition, material, and background while RENDERCAD handles the image-generation step. Image renders complete in 60 seconds.
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RENDERCAD™
Use the browser workflow directly, capture a selected view with the desktop app, or start from the browser extension.
Get StartedCommon questions about RENDERCAD vs ArchiCAD CineRender
Yes. Request a golden-hour look and describe the mood or direction you want. The generated warmth, shadows, and light direction can vary between results, so compare important design details with the source image.
Describe an environment such as a sunny forest or urban street and use a reference image when needed. Image renders complete in 60 seconds without building a local scene file or environment map.
RENDERCAD's Create Video workflow generates a video from a single image and provides Camera and Product Motion controls. Videos complete in 2-5 minutes.
RENDERCAD can generate orbit-style motion from a single image using a Camera option. Because the motion is inferred rather than rendered from a complete 3D model, review geometry and hidden-side details before publishing the result.
Usually. Generation runs in the cloud, so it does not occupy a local renderer. Keep the relevant browser workflow available as required, and expect normal network and browser resource use while the job is submitted and results are loaded.
RENDERCAD processes generation in the cloud, so it does not require a dedicated local rendering GPU. You still need a supported browser and internet connection, and normal browser, upload, and download activity can use local device resources.
RENDERCAD avoids much of the scene, shader, and local-renderer setup used by traditional rendering tools. Users still need to prepare a useful source image, choose suitable options, describe the intended result, and review generated details.
RENDERCAD starts at $9/month with credits that refresh monthly - predictable costs with no upfront investment or perpetual license fees.
RENDERCAD is designed to create more polished, realistic-looking presentation images from a source view. Results vary by input and settings, and generated images should be checked against the original model before they are used to communicate exact design details.
RENDERCAD can generate a visual interpretation of a described or referenced material without requiring shader parameters. It does not guarantee physically measured or specification-accurate material behavior, so validate critical color, grain, reflectivity, and finish details against approved references.
Describe the wood species and finish you want, and provide a reference image when scale or grain direction matters. RENDERCAD can generate a wood-like visual treatment, but it does not replace model-level texture mapping or guarantee an exact, repeatable grain pattern.
With RENDERCAD, upload or snip a clear image, describe carbon fiber, and add a material reference when exact visual direction matters. Image renders complete in 60 seconds.
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