Rendering in SketchUp – a Video Overview

Interior perspective by senorjerome, on Flickr (CC)

I meant to create a concise visual comparison of all available rendering software for SketchUp for quite a while now. To keep things organized I only added one video per software as well as links to the manufacturer’s websites and the current (February 2011) published cost. All prices are in US $ for single-seat licenses, taken from the manufacturers’ websites. Many of these packages are also offered with multi-seat and educational discounts. Because these are not always easy to find, you will have to check them out directly.

The videos are typically made by the manufacturers and either give an overview of the software or where that wasn’t available are illustrative showreels. Feel free to alert me of better videos, other software and updates in the comments.

Here’s the list:

3D Paintbrush

WIN – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $99 full version

Artlantis

WIN/MAC – WebsiteFeatures – Cost: free trial, $765 full version (rendering software)

IDX Renditioner

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, free size-limited version, $99.99 full license

Indigo

WIN/MAC/Linux – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $820 full license

IRender nXt

WIN – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $499 full license

Kerkythea

WIN/MAC/Linux – Website – Features – Cost: free

LightUp

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $149 full license

Maxwell

WIN/MAC/Linux – WebsiteFeatures (SU plugin) – Cost: free trial, $995 full license

nXtRender

WIN – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $149 full license

This is the low-cost version of IRender nXt. There doesn’t seem to be a YouTube video but there’s a video on their website.

Podium

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $198 full license

Render[in]

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $160 full license

Shaderlight

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $199 full license

Thea

WIN/MAC/Linux – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $214.19 full license + $26.34 for SketchUp exporter (converted from Euros)

Twilight

WIN – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $99 full license

There are more videos on their website.

VRay

WIN/MAC – Website – Features – Cost: free trial, $799 full license

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