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.
Pixie is a legacy open-source, RenderMan-like photorealistic renderer for prepared 3D scene data. Its documented feature set includes REYES-style and scan-line techniques, ray tracing, programmable shading, motion blur, depth of field, global illumination, and caustics. It suits users working with an established scene-description and shader workflow, where geometry, cameras, lights, and materials are defined before the local render is launched.
Pixie is a RenderMan-like renderer for people who can prepare a complete 3D scene and control its shading, camera, lighting, and render settings. RENDERCAD is useful at a different point in the visual workflow: start with a clear CAD viewport, product model view, or design screenshot that already shows the intended form and angle, then create a more presentation-ready render without rebuilding that view in a legacy renderer. This can be practical for concept reviews, product presentations, architectural studies, and marketing exploration. Pixie remains the relevant tool when the deliverable depends on its scene data, custom shader behavior, or a repeatable local rendering pipeline.
Pixie belongs to the RenderMan-style offline rendering tradition, where the image is the result of deliberately prepared geometry, shaders, lights, camera settings, and render configuration. Its programmable shading and support for effects such as motion blur, depth of field, ray tracing, and global illumination make that approach meaningful for learning or maintaining an existing RenderMan-oriented asset workflow. The tradeoff is that the scene must be assembled and kept renderable before a final image can be produced. RENDERCAD works downstream from that modeling or scene-preparation stage. Choose the viewport or product image that best communicates the design, use a clean camera angle with visible form and key materials, and upload it to explore polished visual output for a presentation, client conversation, concept board, or early marketing asset. It is not a replacement for Pixie's scene description, programmable shaders, or technical render controls. Keep the original model and scene files as the source of truth for geometry, material specifications, animation, and repeatable production output. For current RENDERCAD API implementation options, see RENDERCAD developer documentation.
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 | Pixie |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | RenderMan-style REYES/ray tracing |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | Image renders complete in 60 seconds. | Scene and hardware dependent |
| 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) | Legacy desktop and source-build workflow |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $9/mo | Legacy open-source project |
Compare the workflows side by side and choose the one that fits the next task.
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 and this workflow
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 image renders complete in 60 seconds. Competing renderer speed depends on scene complexity, render settings, hardware, queue time, and final output quality.
RENDERCAD starts at $9/month with credits that refresh monthly - predictable costs with no upfront investment or perpetual license fees.
RENDERCAD starts from a supported 2D image such as a CAD viewport capture, product photo, or drawing. You do not need to import the native 3D scene, but you may need to capture or export a clear image from the source application first.
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.
Yes. A clear viewport capture can become a more polished visual for a design review. Image renders complete in 60 seconds, making it practical to prepare or iterate presentation options.
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.
Upload a clear view, describe the brushed-aluminum finish you want, and add a material reference when the visual direction matters. Because the result is generated from an image, inspect the grain direction and surface details against your original design before using it in a final presentation.
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.
Start with a clear source view, choose a simple background, and describe the studio look you want. RENDERCAD can generate a presentation image without requiring you to build a traditional light rig, but the lighting is image-based and should be reviewed rather than treated as a physically measured setup.
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.
The Seamless Loop option is designed to improve continuity between the end and beginning of a generated video. Inspect the transition before publishing because generative motion and loop quality can vary by image and model.
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