Choose the right 3D rendering software for your needs

Comparison Chart – Quick Reference

Renderer	Developer	Current Host Support	Developed for	GPU / CPU Based	Offline / Real-Time / Interactivity	Bias / Physically Accurate	GI Method
Corona Renderer	Corona	3ds Max Cinema 4D ARCHICAD (alpha) Blender (add-on in development)	Architectural visualization Automotive and product design, Television ads and title sequence	CPU	Offline rendering with support for interactive rendering	Unbiased & Biased	Intel Embree Ray Tracing Kernels
Cycles 4D	Insydium	Cinema 4D with X-Particles	VFX	GPU/CPU	Offline (Real-time Preview)	Unbiased	Path Tracing
Enscape	Chaos	SketchUp Rhino Revit Archicad Vectorworks	Architectural design BIM managers Viz specialists	GPU only	Real-Time	Partially physically accurate	Multibounce
finalRender	Cebas	3ds Max Maya (beta)	VFX	Hybrid, GPU (Nvidia CUDA) or CPU	Offline	Unbiased	Physically Based (Spectral) Wavelength Simulation
Maxwell	Next Limit	Standalone with plugins for: Maya 3ds Max Softimage Form•Z Modo Nuke Rhino ArchiCAD Revit Sketchup	VFX CGI Animation Architectural & product visualization	Hybrid - See Maxwell for details.	Offline	Unbiased Delivers physically accurate models	A variation of Metropolis light transport
Redshift	Redshift	Maya Softimage 3ds Max Cinema 4D Houdini Katana	VFX Animation	Hybrid - See Redshift for more information)	Offline	Biased, not physically accurate	Ray Tracing
RenderZone	form•Z	Form•Z	Form•Z users	Hybrid or GPU (NVIDIA CUDA)	Offline	Unbiased & Biased	Ray Tracing
V-Ray	Chaos	3ds Max Maya Cinema 4D SketchUp Revit Rhino Houdini Nuke Unreal Blender	Professional artists and designers in architecture, games, animation, VFX, and VR.	CPU, GPU, or Hybrid	Offline rendering with support for interactive rendering	Unbiased (optional) Fully physically accurate	Path Tracing
Vantage	Chaos	3ds Max Maya Cinema 4D	Archviz artists VFX artists	GPU (RTX) only	Interactive	All supported features are physically accurate	Real-time Ray Tracing
Unreal Engine	Epic Games	Blender Maya 3ds Max Modo Cinema 4D ZBrush others	Game developers, Film & TV, Broadcast and live events, Animators, Architectural and Automotive designers, Simulation developers	GPU/CPU	Real-Time	Biased	Ray Tracing, Path Tracing, and Lumen

Individual Standalone Renderers

Updates from 2024

• 16 July 2024: Chaos Corona, Enscape, Vantage, and V-Ray for Cinema 4D are recently updated. Redshift, and Maxwell for Rhino have also had updates.
• 7 June 2024: Chaos Enscape, V-Ray, and Vantage updates. Cycles 4D is EOL. Redshift updated.
• 1 May 2024: Added Unreal Engine, updated form•Z RenderZone to v10, Maxwell Render plugin updates, and Chaos updates.
• 15 April 2024: Updates for Redshift, Chaos Products, Removed Arnold
• 20 April 2024: Updates for Redshift, Chaos Products, and Arnold
• 21 February 2024: Updates for Redshift, Chaos V-Ray for Houdini and Maya, and Autodesk Arnold
• 7 February 2024: Added articles about renderers and PBR, updated V-Ray, Redshift
• 8 January 2024: Added product news listing feature to updates. Updated Redshift, Arnold, Chaos, V-Ray, Chaos Corona, Chaos Enscape, and Chaos Vantage.

Updates from 2023

• 26 September 2023: Updates for Redshift, V-Ray for SketchUp & Rhino, Chaos Vantage, and Arnold Render.
• 28 August 2023: Updates for V-Ray Vantage Arnold Render
• 29 June 2023: Moved 3D Rendering Terminology to FAQ. Complete overhaul of the article. Product updates include Corona 10 for Cinema 4D & 3ds Max, V-Ray for Houdini, Added Chaos Vantage, Plus Arnold and Redshift Updates
• 5 June 2023: Chaos Corona 9 Hotfix 3; Chaos V-Ray 6 Update 1 for Rhino, SketchUp
• 19 May 2023: Lots of updates
  • Chaos V-Ray 6 for Maya & Cinema 4D, Update 1
  • Chaos Enscape v3.5 – Visualization Assets Enhancements
  • Maxon May 2023 Release Brings AMD GPU Support for Redshift.
  • cebas finalRender Drop 4 – RTX Speed Blast + Unlimited Trial
  • Arnold also had a point update.
• 25 April 2023: Added Enscape
• 3 April 2023: V-Ray for 3ds Max, Redshift, and Arnold all updated in March
• 13 February 2023: V-Ray for Cinema 4D hotfix update. Autodesk Arnold update.

The Hidden Science of Fireworks

Learn about fireworks and pay close attention to the physics in this video from Veritasium.

Best Fireworks Festival “Nagaoka” Nigata JAPAN

I was in Montreal about 20 years ago and the city hosted a fireworks competition with different countries competing, including Japan. We saw displays from two countries but nothing like this!

GoPro Awards: FPV Drone Inside of a Fireworks Show

A drone is an incredible way to film fireworks, I’d be afraid of my drone being hit! If you have a drone in the US, there is no law against filming fireworks. Watch a video from Ken Heron with tips: Drone INSIDE fireworks Legally and Safely | Plus audio Editing TIPS

Fireworks filmed with a drone

The AlteredStates video below is from 2014 but is still one of the most incredible fireworks videos I’ve ever seen. It was shot with a DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro Hero 3 silver.

Fireworks Stock Assets

Why start from scratch? Especially if you’re a video editor or 3D artist and don’t do this type of effect, we have some great options to add fireworks to your videos.

Pixel Lab VFX Elements Volume 6: Fireworks

Pixel Lab Concert Pyro Bundle

The Pixel Lab created assets to save you time and hassle. These are baked into alembic files or VDB files which you can drag and drop into almost any 3D application and you will have instant pyrotechnics!

VFX Central Essential Pack

Fireworks Tutorials

Fireworks can be created using a particle generator, taking time to get the physics right. To make things easier, multiple plug-ins are specifically for creating fireworks. That said, they don’t always look natural. One of the toughest things about creating fireworks is getting them to look realistic. They need glow, smoke, the proper physics, depth of field, etc. And, adding some sound effects can help your fireworks come to life!

Why is realistic vegetation important?

If you’re a 3D artist, you must include realistic vegetation in your scenes for several reasons.

Why do video game trees look so bad?

Research indicates that players prefer virtual areas with abundant green vegetation, showing the significance of incorporating realistic foliage and trees in game environments.^[1] That said, video game trees are often overlooked. Below, Stylized Station explores the many reasons that trees often look bad in video games.

What Makes CG Trees Look Real?

Computer-generated (CG) trees that appear to be natural rely on various techniques and details within their modeling and rendering processes, and the list isn’t short.

To achieve realistic vegetation, 3D artists may use various techniques such as procedural generation, hand-painted assets, or a combination of both. Consider factors like scale, shape, color, texture, and density when designing vegetation elements. Some factors contributing to your vegetation’s lifelike appearance include:

1. Highly detailed geometry: Realistic trees need detailed structures like branches, leaves, and bark that mimic nature.
2. Species variety: Providing different versions of each tree type lets users choose based on specific contexts. Tools like iToo Forest Pack and Laubwerk offer diverse plant and tree models.
3. Model diversity: Nature doesn’t repeat itself perfectly, and neither should your digital landscapes. CG trees should have varied leaves, branches, and foliage to avoid repetition, mirroring nature’s diversity.
4. Photorealistic materials: Realism is boosted by textures mimicking bark, leaves, and other elements. Advanced tools apply high-resolution textures for a natural look. Using data from real trees through techniques like photogrammetry ensures ultra-realistic models.
5. Tiling ground textures: Integrating ground textures seamlessly creates a convincing environment for the trees.
6. Lighting and shadows: Realistic lighting is crucial. CG trees should cast shadows, receive ambient occlusion, and react to changing light conditions for believability.
7. Environment Integration. CG trees must blend seamlessly into the broader environment. Tools like e-on software use features such as Global EcoSystem to scatter plants realistically. There are several tools available specifically for scattering.
8. Wind and animation: Dynamic animation, like moving leaves and subtle branch motions, enhances realism by avoiding a static appearance.
9. Seasonal adaptation: In the real world, trees change with the seasons. Digital foliage tools allowing for seasonal changes, like variations in leaf color and density, add an extra layer of realism.

Dedicated Vegetation Creation Tools & Plant Libraries

In the table below, we dive headfirst into the “branch” of plant tools and libraries, putting the spotlight on the top players like iToo Software, and Laubwerk. These tools seamlessly mesh with heavy hitters in the 3D software scene, including Cinema 4D, Redshift, Maya, Arnold, 3ds Max, V-Ray, and Corona.

Some tools are developed specifically for creating vegetation in 3D environments and they offer a lot of benefits.

Efficiency: Generate complex vegetation quickly and efficiently. Save time and budget without manually modeling each plant or tree. The tools often have features for branch placement, leaf distribution, and wind simulation, which cut down on labor.

Optimization and Performance: Advances in real-time visualization of trees and plants, such as improved geometric representation and multi-resolution models, allow for faster rendering and more efficient design systems in 3D video games.^[2]

Consistency: Maintain a consistent look across your plants for a more cohesive and visually appealing rendering.

Realism: Many specialized tools have advanced features for creating highly realistic and detailed foliage. They also have features like wind and weather simulations, seasonal changes, and growth stages.

Integration: Many specialized tools integrate into your favorite host applications and rendering tools, allowing your work to be seamless.

Developer	Product	Type	Description	Compatibility	Notes	Purchase
Chaos	Cosmos	Model Library	High quality 3D assets and materials including a category for vegetation (trees, plants, shrubs, flowers)	V-Ray Corona Vantage		Cosmos is included with: V-Ray Vantage Corona
Chaos	Scatter (in V-Ray and Corona)	Scattering	Easily populate scenes with selected objects – especially useful for outdoor scenes that need to be filled with greenery, rocks, grass etc.	Chaos Scatter is available in Corona for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D, and V-Ray for 3ds Max, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, Maya, Cinema 4D, and Vantage.		Chaos Products
Dosch 3D	Tree Library	Model Library	Fully textured 3D-models of trees.	3ds Max Maya & Softimage Cinema 4D Keyshot Lightwave & Modo		Tree Library for : 3ds Max Maya & SoftImage TCinema 4D Keyshot Lightwave & Modo
ExLevel	GrowFX	Plugin	Create broadleaf trees, conifers, palm trees, flowers, ivy and many other vegetational compositions.	3ds Max		Get GrowFX
Greyscalegorilla	Plus	Materials Library	Get 4000+ curated 3D materials, textures, models, and HDRIs including natural textures.	Cinema 4D Blender Houdini Unreal Engine Renderers: Blender Cycles/Eevee Houdini Mantra Karma Redshift Unreal Engine		Greyscalegorilla Plus Greyscalegorilla for Teams
INSYDIUM	TAIAO	Plugin	A procedural plant animation system used to generate trees, flowers, grasses and custom objects.	Cinema 4D	Only available as part of the INSYDIUM FUSED collection	INSYDIUM Fused Subscription INSYDIUM Fused Perpetual
iToo Software	Forest Pack	Plugin	Bring your creations to life by effortlessly creating sprawling landscapes filled with an array of detailed, realistic objects.	3ds Max Renderers: Arnold V-Ray Corona Octane Redshift FStorm Final Render		Forest Pack Forest Pack + RailClone Bundle">
iToo Software	The3DGarden	Model Library	A variety of high quality plant models from iToo Software.	3ds Max V-ray Corona Forest Pack Pro	Available bundled or in smaller volumes	The3dGarden Complete Bundle All Trees Bundle All Bushes and Flowers Bundle All The3dGarden volumes
Laubwerk	Plants Kit	Plugin/Library	Laubwerk offers easy-to-use software extensions for architects and CG artists looking for authentic 3D plants, and plant scattering tools.	3ds Max Maya Cinema 4D SketchUp Vectorworks 2023 (or newer) Python		Get Laubwerk Plants Kits
Laubwerk	SurfaceSPREAD	Scattering	An easy and efficient way to distribute Laubwerk Plants (and any other object) on a terrain.	Cinema 4D
Lindalë	Skatter	Scattering, Includes Library	Mimic nature's organic appearince	SketchUp	Comes bundled with 3D Bazaar, an extensive repository of high-quality render-ready assets.	Lindalë Skatter
Maxon	Redshift Plants from Laubwerk	Model Library	Elevate your digital landscapes to new heights with a diverse collection of meticulously crafted, hyper-realistic plants from Laubwerk.	Cinema 4D Redshift	New in Capsules in October 2023, available with Maxon One	Maxon One
Pixel Lab	Mutating Materials: Woods	Texture Library	A comprehensive collection of wood textures.	Cinema 4D Renderers: Arnold		Arnold Mutating Materials: Woods Redshift Mutating Materials: Woods
SiNi Software	Scatter	Scattering	Scatter tool for clean animation of distributed objects.	3ds max	Included in SiNi Software All Access	SiNi Software All Access

*See product for host support specifics.

A Few Freebies for Vegetation Creation

We have collected some free textures and models that relate to plants and trees. Enjoy!

• ShareTextures. Download models, wood textures, and atlases for foliage and nature elements.
• MegaScans. Download trees, grasses, foliage, landscapes, and more from Quixel MegaScans for Unreal Engine.
• Xfrog 3D Free Plant Models. Xfrog has announced they are giving away a few Free 3D Plant Models, including Oleander, Field Maple, Dragon Tree, Bamboo, Incense Cedar, and Tea Tree.
• Free 3D Trees at Turbo Squid. A variety of low poly, realistic, and fantasy trees in FBX format.
• Free Nature 3D models from cgTrader. Grass, trees, and other plants as well as landscape models for an assortment of hosts.
• Landscape Pro 2.0 Auto-Generated Material for Unreal Engine.
• Unreal Permanent Free Collection. Dig through their archives for free vegetation and more for Unreal Engine.

Older Freebies

• Maya Models from Arsa3D including trees, bark, and other natural elements. This is an older site
• 3D Tree Maker for Sketchup, Create 3D trees in a few clicks and add them to your model. Works with SketchUp 8, and Sketchup 2013-2015 only.
• Grass Generator for 3ds Max. A grass generator plugin for 3ds Max, written in Maxscript from The Mantissa. Last updated in 2014, so it’s not new.

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