Image courtesy of Enver BKWhat is 3D rendering software?
What is 3D rendering software?
3D rendering software is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. Rendering is used in architecture, simulators, video games, films and television visual effects and design visualisation. 3D rendering, the last step in an animation process, gives the final appearance to the models and animation with visual effects such as shading(US site), texture-mapping (US site), shadows, reflections and motion blurs.
3D rendering software is the process of generating an image from a model by means of computer software. Rendering is used in architecture, simulators, video games, films and television visual effects and design visualisation. 3D rendering, the last step in an animation process, gives the final appearance to the models and animation with visual effects such as shading(US site), texture-mapping (US site), shadows, reflections and motion blurs.
Types of 3D rendering
Software rendering
Software rendering
Software rendering produces images of the highest quality, letting you achieve the most sophisticated results. Computation occurs on the CPU, as opposed to hardware rendering, which relies on the machine’s graphics card
Software rendering produces images of the highest quality, letting you achieve the most sophisticated results. Computation occurs on the CPU, as opposed to hardware rendering, which relies on the machine’s graphics card
Hardware rendering
Hardware rendering
Hardware rendering uses the computer’s video card and drivers to render images to disk. It is generally faster than software rendering, but typically produces images of lower quality compared to software rendering.
Hardware rendering uses the computer’s video card and drivers to render images to disk. It is generally faster than software rendering, but typically produces images of lower quality compared to software rendering.
Vector rendering
Vector rendering
Vector rendering lets you create stylised renderings (for example, cartoon, tonal art, line art, hidden line, wireframe) in various bitmap image formats and 2D vector formats.
Vector rendering lets you create stylised renderings (for example, cartoon, tonal art, line art, hidden line, wireframe) in various bitmap image formats and 2D vector formats.
Cloud rendering
Cloud rendering
Rendering in the cloud takes advantage of virtually infinite computing power. Quickly create photorealistic and high-resolution images in a fraction of the time required on your desktop.
Rendering in the cloud takes advantage of virtually infinite computing power. Quickly create photorealistic and high-resolution images in a fraction of the time required on your desktop.
Featured 3D rendering software
Media & Entertainment Collection
Media & Entertainment Collection
Get Maya + 3ds Max + Arnold + more
Build a powerful 3D pipeline for complex simulations (US site), effects and rendering to tackle even the most demanding jobs, now and tomorrow.
Get Maya + 3ds Max + Arnold + more
Build a powerful 3D pipeline for complex simulations (US site), effects and rendering to tackle even the most demanding jobs, now and tomorrow.
Use the power of Arnold to render beautiful images
Use the power of Arnold to render beautiful images
Explore technical workflows with Arnold, download free assets and learn about the deep integration with Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max.
Explore technical workflows with Arnold, download free assets and learn about the deep integration with Autodesk Maya and 3ds Max.
How is rendering software used?
Rendering Arrival
Rendering Arrival
The team of visual effects artists behind Arrival tackled complex scenes, from full CG shots to anti-gravity sequences and digi-doubles of the actors.
The team of visual effects artists behind Arrival tackled complex scenes, from full CG shots to anti-gravity sequences and digi-doubles of the actors.
Tangram 3Ds on VR and design visualisation
Tangram 3Ds on VR and design visualisation
Tangram 3Ds, a 3D visualisation and digital design studio, specialises in comprehensive design solutions for the AEC, interior design, maritime and property industries.
Tangram 3Ds, a 3D visualisation and digital design studio, specialises in comprehensive design solutions for the AEC, interior design, maritime and property industries.
Rising Sun Pictures on Thor: Ragnarok
Rising Sun Pictures on Thor: Ragnarok
Rising Sun Pictures helped shape Thor’s mythical visuals from pre-production to the final cut including creature creation and set design.
Rising Sun Pictures helped shape Thor’s mythical visuals from pre-production to the final cut including creature creation and set design.
Free rendering software
FREE SOFTWARE FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS
We offer free Autodesk software for students and educators. Use the same 3D rendering software as top professionals around the world.
FREE SOFTWARE FOR NONPROFITS
Are you a non-profit organisation or entrepreneur working to create positive impact through design? See if you qualify for our Technology Impact Programme.
Rendering software resources
Learn more about rendering software with these tutorials, tips and guides.
Learn more about rendering software with these tutorials, tips and guides.
Arnold Answers Hub
The place to ask and answer rendering questions and share knowledge about using Arnold.
The place to ask and answer rendering questions and share knowledge about using Arnold.
AREA
Autodesk’s official CG community. Find free tutorials, customer stories, forums and share your work in the AREA gallery.
Autodesk’s official CG community. Find free tutorials, customer stories, forums and share your work in the AREA gallery.
Autodesk University tutorials (US site)
Watch video lessons on rendering and visualisations from expert rendering artists and architects.
Watch video lessons on rendering and visualisations from expert rendering artists and architects.
Introduction to Arnold for Maya
Beginner-level tutorial to help you to get started with Arnold for Maya, covering the basics of lighting, shading and rendering.
Beginner-level tutorial to help you to get started with Arnold for Maya, covering the basics of lighting, shading and rendering.
Get to know Arnold for 3ds Max
Four-part tutorial series exploring the basics of Arnold for 3ds Max including how to illuminate and render an interior architectural scene.
Four-part tutorial series exploring the basics of Arnold for 3ds Max including how to illuminate and render an interior architectural scene.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 3D modeling and 3D rendering?
3D modeling and 3D rendering are different stages in CGI content creation. To render 3D graphics, you must create 3D models first.
In 3D modeling, an artist, designer, or engineer creates a representation of an object with the object’s exact sizes and shapes using polygons, edges, and vertices in specialized 3D modeling software. Then the creator renders photorealistic or stylized 2D images or animations based on the 3D models using 3D rendering software, which can add color, light, shadow, and texture elements to make the resulting graphics more lifelike.
How long does 3D rendering take?
How long 3D rendering will take depends on several factors, such as the hardware and 3D rendering software used, the complexity of the scene, and the quality settings of the render. High-end GPUs and CPUs or rendering with cloud-based software or a “render farm” network will speed up rendering. Complex scenes with large amounts of objects, textures, lighting, and other effects rendered with high resolution and other quality settings will take longer.
Roughly speaking, a basic rendering job could take a few minutes, while complex, high-quality jobs could take many hours or even days. At the most extreme end of the spectrum, the most demanding professional rendering jobs can even take weeks.
How can Autodesk rendering software help speed up 3D rendering workflows?
With seamless integration in 3ds Max and Maya, Arnold streamlines the rendering process, providing you with high-quality images faster. The intuitive UI and interactivity in Arnold provide immediate results, leaving more time to iterate on your most complex renders.
What computer specifications work best for effective rendering with Autodesk software?
When using Autodesk Arnold rendering software, a minimum of a 64-bit operating system is required. The following computer specifications and 64-bit hardware are recommended:
OSX 10.11 or later
Windows 7 or later, with the Visual Studio 2015 redistributable
Linux with at least glibc 2.12 and libstdc++ 3.4.13 (gcc 4.4.7). This is equivalent to RHEL/CentOS 6.
CPUs need to support the SSE4.1 instruction set.
Optix™ denoiser requires an NVidia GPU with CUDA™ Compute Capability 5.0 and above.
Arnold GPU works on Linux and Windows and requires an NVIDIA GPU of the Turing, Volta, Pascal, or Maxwell architecture.
What collaboration features are included in Autodesk 3D rendering software?
Arnold supports a number of open standards that can assist in rendering collaboration, including USD (Universal Scene Description), OSL, MaterialX, OpenVDB and NanoVDB, OpenColorIO, and more. By supporting these open standards, Autodesk Arnold streamlines the production pipeline, getting you results faster. It’s also ideal as architectural rendering software, due to the ease of collaboration and sharing results and proposals with clients.
What photorealistic effects or styles can be achieved with Autodesk 3D rendering software?
Using Arnold, you can create photorealistic and high-resolution images in less time. Arnold helps maximize performance on your most complex projects with production-ready tools. It offers the scalability of an open architecture that makes it easy to integrate into your pipeline and adapt to project needs, as well as create custom cameras, light filters, output drivers, and shaders to improve your final rendering output.
Is there any free 3D rendering software?
Yes, there are some free, open-source 3D rendering software options. Other non-open-source 3D rendering software may offer free versions with premium versions that cost money.
Professional productions typically use paid 3D rendering software, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend money upfront to try professional software. You can download free trials of all Autodesk’s 3D rendering software, including its most robust renderer, Arnold, as well as VRED, Alias, Revit, Maya, and 3ds Max.