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.
Kerkythea is a free standalone rendering application for staging 3D scenes, assigning physically based materials and lights, and producing photorealistic still renders from model import and SketchUp exporter workflows.
Kerkythea is strongest when you can export a complete model, tune lights and materials, then wait for a physically based still render. RENDERCAD is a better fit when the starting point is a CAD viewport, product concept, or architectural screenshot and the goal is a polished image without building a Kerkythea scene. Use Kerkythea for manual GI control and repeatable local rendering; use RENDERCAD for quick visual upgrades from images.
Kerkythea behaves like a classic offline renderer: import or export a model, inspect the scene in its viewer, adjust cameras, lights, render settings, and materials, then render locally. That gives architectural and product visualization users more control over illumination and surface response than an image-only workflow, but it also makes setup the main job. RENDERCAD starts from a screenshot or viewport image, so it is less suited to validating exact light rigs or material recipes and better suited to quickly turning an existing design view into client-ready visual output. For SketchUp models, Kerkythea's exporter workflow can be useful when the scene is organized and materials are prepared. For CAD tools without a clean Kerkythea export path, or for early design options where the model is changing quickly, RENDERCAD avoids file conversion and renderer-specific material 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 | Kerkythea |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Physically based ray tracing and GI renderer |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | ≈10 - 60 Seconds | Scene-dependent; local renders can take minutes or longer |
| 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 (Windows, Linux, Mac) |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $20/mo | Free |
Side by side, feature by feature. See how RENDERCAD's AI approach compares with Kerkythea's rendering 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 Kerkythea
Yes. The Seamless Loop option ensures the last frame matches the first for perfect looping - ready for social media, websites, and displays.
RENDERCAD creates videos from a single image in 1-2 minutes using AI. Upload a CAD screenshot, real photo, or hand drawing, select Image to Video, and choose a camera movement - no animation timeline required.
RENDERCAD still-image jobs usually complete in about 10 - 60 seconds. Competing renderer speed depends on scene complexity, render settings, hardware, queue time, and final output quality.
Yes. RENDERCAD runs independently as a browser app or overlay, so you continue modeling while renders process in the background.
RENDERCAD works from 2D images. Upload a CAD screenshot, real photo, or hand drawing - no file conversion, no exports, no compatibility issues.
Minimal. RENDERCAD uses natural language prompts anyone can use immediately - no technical sliders, shader graphs, or render settings to learn.
RENDERCAD excels at rapid client presentations. It delivers impressive photorealistic results in seconds, enabling real-time feedback sessions during design reviews.
For product marketing, client presentations, and concept work - yes. The Realistic engine is designed to improve lighting, materials, and presentation quality while keeping the original design recognizable.
Yes. Select the Realistic engine, set Condition to Clean, and type "Brushed Aluminum." The AI applies correct texture orientation to your geometry automatically.
RENDERCAD generates unique, non-repeating grain patterns that follow your object's form. Prompt "Oak Wood" and the engine handles scale, direction, and variation automatically.
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. Add "Golden Hour" to your prompt and the AI handles warm color temperature, long shadows, and soft light automatically.
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