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.
Lumion is real-time architectural visualization software for importing or live-linking CAD/BIM models, staging scenes, and rendering stills, animations, and panoramas.
Lumion is strongest when an architectural team has a Revit, SketchUp, Archicad, Rhino, AutoCAD, or similar model ready to import or LiveSync, then wants to stage a full scene with terrain, entourage, weather, lights, materials, camera paths, stills, movies, and panoramas. RENDERCAD is the lighter path when the useful starting point is already a CAD viewport, facade option, interior view, product angle, or presentation screenshot: upload the image and generate a polished still without installing Lumion, syncing model files, rebuilding materials, or relying on a local render workstation.
Lumion is a dedicated architectural visualization environment. The workflow starts from model data, not a flat image: import or LiveSync a CAD/BIM model, add Lumion assets and PBR materials, tune lighting and effects, then export images, videos, image sequences, or 360 panoramas. That gives architects scene-level control and motion output, but it also means license management, Windows desktop installation, graphics hardware, file import quality, and scene cleanup are part of the job. RENDERCAD fits the fast handoff: when a design view is already visible in CAD, BIM, SketchUp, a product modeler, or a client deck, it can turn that screenshot or image into a cleaner render in the browser. Use Lumion for reusable, navigable architectural scenes and animation; use RENDERCAD for quick visual iteration, option studies, and still-image presentation output from existing views.
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 | Lumion |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Real-time rasterization with ray tracing/path tracing options |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | ≈10 - 60 Seconds | Real-time preview; final output varies by scene, ray tracing, resolution, and GPU |
| 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) | Windows desktop for the main Lumion application; separate Lumion View workflow for SketchUp |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $20/mo | Commercial subscription licensing; regional availability and education or trial terms vary. |
Side by side, feature by feature. See how RENDERCAD's AI approach compares with Lumion'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 Lumion
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.
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.
Prompt "Sunny Forest" or "Urban Street" and RENDERCAD generates a matching environment in 10-60 seconds. No scene file or environment map setup.
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.
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.
Yes. RENDERCAD runs independently as a browser app or overlay, so you continue modeling while renders process in the background.
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