Create presentation stills from approved LightWave Layout and VPR views.
Start with a clean Layout camera or VPR capture. The examples on this page show general RENDERCAD workflows, not the LightWave interface or LightWave scene files.
LightWave 3D is active 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software from LightWave Digital. In LightWave 2025, Modeler handles object creation while Layout handles staging, animation, and rendering. RENDERCAD starts from a flat image exported or captured from that workflow; it does not open LightWave scene files or operate as a LightWave render node.
LightWave 3D separates object creation in Modeler from scene work in Layout. Layout stages surfaces, cameras, lights, animation, and final output. VPR is its interactive renderer, while LightWave 2025 also provides RiPR as a separate GPU-assisted preview mode. LightWave Digital continues to develop the product.
RENDERCAD fits when the camera and design are approved but a pitch, review, portfolio, or key image needs a new presentation direction. It uses the captured image as its starting point, while LightWave remains the editable source for 3D content, scene changes, and production output.
Choose the camera and frame in Layout. Use VPR to review the shot, or render the current frame with F9 when a finished LightWave image is better. Hide grids, transform handles, light and camera icons, selection outlines, and overlays. Export or capture a clean 2D image; RENDERCAD does not accept LWS scenes or LWO objects.
Upload the image and describe a visual goal, such as a studio or atmospheric treatment. Compare the result with the approved Layout view. Return to LightWave for geometry, surfaces, cameras, lighting, simulations, and animation changes. Use F10 or LightWave Render Nodes with the Network Render Controller for native frame sequences; RENDERCAD is not that render-farm workflow.
This example uses an Onshape model, not LightWave. The image-to-video step begins with a finished presentation still.
Brush over part of the generated still and describe the change. This edits the presentation image; it does not modify the LightWave scene, objects, surfaces, or animation.
Try a different image model when you want another material treatment, lighting mood, or editorial finish. Compare the result with the approved Layout view before sharing it.
| Feature | RENDERCAD | LightWave 2025 rendering workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Generative image models | Native LightWave renderer with VPR interactive rendering and RiPR preview |
| Output | Images + optional video | Still frames, image sequences, previews, and render buffers |
| Resolution | HD / 4K | Controlled by camera, render, and output settings |
| Image Speed | About 60 seconds | Depends on scene complexity, render settings, effects, hardware, and render nodes |
| Motion output | Image-to-video | F10 sequence time depends on frame count, scene complexity, settings, and hardware |
| Scene Set Up | 2D image + prompt | Create objects in Modeler; stage surfaces, cameras, lights, animation, and output in Layout |
| Input | Flat 2D image | LightWave scenes, objects, surfaces, cameras, lights, simulations, and render settings |
| Hardware | Cloud processing | Installed Windows and macOS 3D software |
| Install | Web app | LightWave desktop installation with local scene assets and settings |
| Cost | From $9/mo | Commercial licensing; check the official LightWave store for current regional pricing |
LightWave builds and renders the editable 3D scene. RENDERCAD starts from a flat viewport image and creates presentation stills or optional video.
Set the approved camera, lighting, surfaces, and composition in Layout. Use VPR to check the frame, then hide grids, handles, icons, and selection outlines before capture.
™
RENDERCAD™
Upload a clean Layout or VPR capture in the browser, capture the view with the desktop app, or use the browser extension. RENDERCAD does not open LightWave scene files.
Get StartedLightWave 3D files, view preparation, and output
No. Upload a 2D image or screenshot from LightWave. RENDERCAD does not open the scene, objects, surfaces, cameras, lights, simulations, or animation data.
Use a Layout camera or VPR view when lighting, surfaces, and shot composition matter. A Modeler viewport can work for simpler object-form exploration.
Hide grids, transform handles, light and camera icons, selection outlines, and other interface overlays that are not part of the intended image.
Keep the approved silhouette, camera angle, important surfaces, lighting direction, and enough surrounding context to make the subject easy to read.
No. The upload is a flat image, and generated materials are visual interpretations. Keep the LightWave scene and surface settings for exact production work.
No. RENDERCAD does not open or distribute LightWave scenes. Use LightWave's F9 or F10 rendering, or Render Nodes with the Network Render Controller, for native frames and sequences. Use RENDERCAD only to explore or present a still-image direction.
Yes. After creating the still, you can use it as the starting image for an optional image-to-video step. This is not LightWave scene animation.
Compare it with the approved Layout view. Check silhouette, camera, important object relationships, surfaces, and lighting before treating the image as an accurate presentation of the scene.