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.
Shaderlight is an interactive ray-tracing renderer plug-in for SketchUp. It renders SketchUp models with progressive updates, material controls, lighting tools, and optional cloud rendering for architectural and design visualization.
Shaderlight is strongest when a SketchUp user wants a traditional renderer inside the model: progressive ray tracing, material edits, sun and sky controls, image-based lighting, artificial lights, and render settings tied to SketchUp scenes. RENDERCAD is better when the design is already visible in a CAD viewport or product image and the goal is a polished still without installing a SketchUp plug-in, tuning lights, or maintaining a render scene. Choose Shaderlight for SketchUp-specific control; choose RENDERCAD for low-setup AI rendering across mixed design tools.
Shaderlight starts from a SketchUp model, not an arbitrary screenshot. A user renders from the SketchUp toolbar, uses progressive auto-update, on-demand, or single tiled modes, refines SketchUp materials, sets sun, physical sky, HDR environments, point, spot, area, portal, or IES lights, and can create plans, elevations, isometric views, chalk studies, or scene animations depending on license. It uses workstation CPU resources for local rendering and also offers cloud rendering options, so image quality depends on model readiness, material setup, lighting decisions, and render time. RENDERCAD starts later in the workflow: upload a CAD viewport, SketchUp screenshot, product view, or architectural image and generate a refined AI render in the browser. It is not a substitute for Shaderlight when you need exact SketchUp scene lighting, reusable render settings, full 3D animation, or material-by-material control, but it is simpler for client concepts, sales visuals, and one-off presentation images when screenshot-led turnaround matters more than renderer controls. API-focused teams can start at /developers.
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 | Shaderlight |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative AI | Progressive Ray Tracing |
| Output | Images + Video | Varies by tool |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Varies |
| Image Speed | ≈10 - 60 Seconds | Interactive previews to final renders |
| 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) | SketchUp plug-in for Windows and Mac |
| Install | None | Varies (web or app) |
| Cost | from $20/mo | Free version and paid licenses |
Side by side, feature by feature. See how RENDERCAD's AI approach compares with Shaderlight'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 Shaderlight
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 renderer speed depends on scene complexity, render settings, hardware, queue time, and final 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