Best product rendering software in 2023: top free and paid solutions to know about

Intro

In today’s fast-paced and highly competitive business world, product rendering is a crucial aspect of creating successful marketing campaigns. The ability to showcase a product in a visually stunning and realistic way can be crucial to grabbing the attention of potential customers and driving sales. With the advancement of technology, product rendering software has become an important tool for designers, manufacturers, and marketers to create photorealistic 3D models and visualization of their ideas. 
In this article we will review the best product rendering software available on the market today, highlighting their features, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision about which tool to use for your next project. Information is relevant for 2023.

Top product rendering software of 2023

Best product rendering software in details

1. Chaos Corona

Price: $5.40 per month for an Educational plan; From $29.90 per month for the Commercial plan; Free 30-day trial; Free old version
Level: For professionals, beginners, and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS
Last version: 2022 (Next release in May 2023)
Use/Best for: 3D rendering

4.8

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

5.0

G2

4.7

Our experts often choose Chaos Corona as the best software for working with product rendering. It can be used with 3ds Max or as a standalone program. The tool is very flexible in terms of rendering realism. No matter what kind of rendering you use (biased or unbiased), you will get a realistic image of higher quality. In addition, phenomena that require a lot of computing power can be selectively disabled. 

The main difference between Chaos Corona and other product rendering tools is its flexibility and speed. The high efficiency of the program lies in the fact that it uses the capabilities of the CPU rather than the video card. This means that Corona can use unlimited memory and provide you with the most flexible solutions, which can be helpful for rendering large scenes or complex product visualizations. This product design rendering software allows you to use different types of lighting to achieve a good look and functionality of the model.

This photorealistic 3D visualizer has become popular due to its ease of use. Corona offers a less busy user interface to reduce setup time. Thus, Chaos Corona is an ideal 3D product rendering software for beginners, as it is quite possible to learn this engine in just a few days.

Hence, Chaos Corona can be a good option for product design rendering, especially for those already using 3ds Max or other compatible modeling software. Its advanced lighting and shading options, combined with its speed and scalability, make it a powerful tool for creating realistic product visualizations.

2. Adobe Photoshop

Price: $20.99 per month; Free 7-day trial
Level: For professionals and amateurs 
Platform: Windows, macOS, Android, iPad 
Last version: 2022
Use/Best for: Post-processing and image editing

4.7

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.8

Software Advice

4.79

GetApp

4.8

G2

4.6

Due to its incredible popularity among users, Photoshop is on the 2nd place in our list. This tool has become an integral part of creating photorealistic images. It is used for post-processing of the final 3D render of the product and allows you to adjust a huge number of important nuances to create the final atmosphere. With Photoshop, you can add depth and special effects to your models, such as lighting and shading, reflection, and refraction.

In addition, the 3D product visualization program has a powerful set of tools that allows you to add textures, glows, or light rays, change the contrast of the object’s surface, adjust colors, and add and change tones. You can use various filters to create special effects for your product or edit it.

3. V-Ray

Price: From $77.90 per month; $149 per year for the Educational version; Free 30-day trial
Level: For professionals, beginners, and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Last version: 2022
Use/Best for: 3D rendering and simulation

4.6

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.8

Software Advice

4.63

GetApp

4.8

G2

4.5

V-Ray is considered to be one of the best 3D rendering programs on the market due to its high speed and high quality. This 3D visualization program is suitable for 3D artists of all levels, both beginners and experienced professionals. However, learning the advanced features of V-Ray can take some time.

V-Ray for product rendering has a wide range of features that enables you to achieve stunning quality. This realistic rendering software for product design allows you to customize materials, map the textures, and add realistic surface textures using bump and displacement maps. With this plugin, you will get a great model of your product, ready to be produced.

V-Ray has a biased ray tracing engine that can utilize both CPU and GPU, using brute force calculations. You can find it integrated into a large set of 3D modeling tools. This engine is greatly compatible with 3ds Max, so by using them together you can keep 3D product design rendering more realistic and enhance the quality of rendered images.

4. Blender

Price: Free
Level: For professionals, beginners, and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Last version: 2023
Use/Best for: 3D modeling, sculpting, animation, rendering, simulation

4.6

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.7

Software Advice

4.66

GetApp

4.7

G2

4.5

Blender is a free and open-source 3D modeling and rendering software that can be used for a wide range of tasks, including rendering and modeling of products. It offers a complete set of tools and features, as well as completely free access, making it a popular choice for both amateurs and professionals.

Blender’s modeling tools are powerful and versatile, allowing users to create complex and detailed models with ease. It supports a range of modeling techniques, including sculpting, box modeling, and NURBS modeling. The 3D product software also offers a number of advanced features such as modifiers, particles, and physical simulations. All scenes, objects, materials, textures, sounds, images, and post-production effects can be saved in a single file. Besides, Blender backs up projects while you’re working, making it easy and secure to store your data. 

In addition to high-level modeling, Blender offers a built-in rendering engine called Cycles, which is a physically based renderer that helps you create high-quality, realistic product visualizations right there. It also supports other rendering engines such as LuxRender, YafaRay, and RenderMan. Blender’s Eevee real-time rendering engine can be particularly useful for product visualization, as it allows users to see changes in a scene in real-time, making it easier to create and quickly recreate product designs.

Blender can be a great choice for product rendering and modeling, especially for those looking for free and open-source software. 

Learn more about the Best free rendering software.

5. Lumion

Price: From €54.08 per month; Free 14-day trial
Level: For professionals
Platform: Windows
Last version: 2023
Use/Best for: 3D rendering

4.6

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.7

Software Advice

4.69

GetApp

4.7

G2

4.5

Lumion is a 3D rendering program that is primarily used in architectural visualization, but can also be used as product visualization. It is known for its fast rendering times and ease of use, making it a popular choice for those who want to quickly create high-quality product visualizations. This intuitive product rendering software is best at helping users bring their ideas to life through visualization without prior training.

Lumion does not have its own built-in modeling tools, but it does offer an extensive built-in library of HD objects. You can also create your 3D models in other programs such as SketchUp, Rhino, or 3ds Max and import them into Lumion. A large collection of textures and materials allows you to create beautiful images of furniture or other objects with realistic details. With a range of 3D visualization features, including realistic lighting and shadow options, high-quality materials, and customizable environments, you can achieve fantastic results. 

The Lumion rendering engine allows users to make changes to the scene in real time. It also offers a number of effects and filters that can be used to create stylized or artistic product visualizations. The software for 3D product design rendering also works in conjunction with programs such as Revit, SketchUp, 3ds Max in real time (LiveSync).

6. ZBrush

Price: 39.00 per month; $20 per year for students and educators; Free 30-day trial
Level: For professionals and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS
Last version: 2023
Use/Best for: 3D modeling, sculpting

4.6

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.6

G2

4.6

ZBrush is perfect for modeling upholstered furniture and complex product shapes. Models in ZBrush consist of points that store 3D coordinates as well as color, depth, lighting, and material. They help you create a realistic object and paint it using textures and strokes. The product modeling software will automatically add natural shadows and highlights. You can also control the parameters of the 3D model’s intensity, hardness, and size. 

Thanks to special technologies, this 3D model rendering software allow us to save the prepared materials and apply them later to the new model. With this modeling and rendering tool, 3D artists create quality renderings and highly detailed sculptures. No special knowledge is required to get started, but ZBrush allows you to design various objects professionally and then export them to create 3D animations in other packages.

Considered to be the best 3D modeling software for product design, ZBrush offers opportunities for professionals of different levels and will help you achieve the best results.

7. KeyShot

Price: $99.00 per month; $7.92 per month for Education; Free 14-day trial
Level: For professionals, beginners, and amateurs 
Platform: Windows, macOS
Last version: 2023
Use/Best for: 3D rendering

4.6

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.7

G2

4.5

Although not at the top of our ranking, Keyshot is now considered the best 3D rendering software for product design. Its popularity among users for this purpose is gaining momentum, and you can literally find articles and videos with loud headlines like “Why Keyshot has become the most popular product rendering software.” In fact, this program has everything you need to work on your projects with high quality and speed. 

KeyShot is software for 3D visualization and real-time animation. It is a completely standalone solution that aims to make the rendering process as user-friendly as possible. The program allows you to create realistic images that can be used to present product concepts, designs, or architectural projects. This 3D rendering software for product design has an easy-to-use interface and powerful tools for customizing lighting, materials, and textures. In addition, KeyShot has a large library of physically accurate materials that are assigned to a 3D file by drag and drop. With Keyshot, you can also create stunning product animations to showcase your products to the best advantage.

The entire process takes place in real-time, meaning that as you set up your scene with cameras, materials, and light sources, the program constantly updates the rendered image. This feature of the product rendering program allows you to work much faster than many other solutions. Its ease of use and real-time rendering make this software a great choice for designers who want to demonstrate their work without wasting time learning complicated new software.

8. 3ds Max

Price: $5,355 every 3 years; $1,785 annually; $225 monthly; Free 30-day trial 
Level: For professionals
Platform: Windows
Last version: 2023
Use/Best for: 3D modeling, rendering, animation

4.5

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.6

Software Advice

4.64

GetApp

4.6

G2

4.3

3ds Max is a professional three-dimensional graphics program from Autodesk designed for the PC. 3ds Max boasts a powerful set of modeling tools. Thanks to a huge library of modifiers, 3ds Max makes modeling easy for beginners and professional artists alike. In addition, 3ds Max has a large library of plug-ins and add-ons that can expand modeling capabilities.

Thanks to polygonal modeling based on the 3D product design app, you can create accurate and detailed 3D models, by editing polygonal meshes. 3ds Max also has a powerful set of texturing tools. Adding glossiness, reflection, smoothness, refraction, and other properties, 3D artists can enhance their models and make them very realistic. Finally, the 3D product modeling software allows the creation and manipulation of volumetric lights. With some special effects, you can achieve the most detailed and complex view of your product. When choosing 3ds Max for product rendering, we recommend that you first use the 30-day trial version to get a better feel for the program’s functionality.

9. Rhinoceros

Price: €995 per license
Level: For professionals and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS
Last version: 2020
Use/Best for: 3D modeling

4.5

Rating by Applet3D

Capterra

4.6

GetApp

4.6

G2

4.4

Rhino, also known as Rhinoceros, is a popular 3D modeling program often used for product design, architecture, and industrial design. Rhino’s strength lies in its powerful set of modeling tools and ability to handle complex geometry. The modeling tools based on NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) are particularly useful for creating smooth, organic shapes as well as complex surfaces and curves, making Rhino an ideal choice for product design. Rhino also supports importing and exporting a wide range of file formats, making it easy to work with other software and tools.

Although Rhino is primarily a product modeling program, it has a built-in rendering engine called Rhino Render that can create high-quality product renders. Rhino Render is relatively easy to use and provides basic materials, lighting, and camera settings to create simple product visualizations. The ray tracing mode in the viewport and the preview work in full real-time. It allows you to get great rendering results in minutes and see what the final rendering will look like with the materials applied. However, Rhino Render is a basic rendering engine, and for more advanced renderings, users can use third-party engines such as V-Ray, Octane Render, or KeyShot.

10. Artlantis

Price: €650 per full license; Free 30-day trial
Level: For professionals and amateurs
Platform: Windows, macOS
Last version: 2021
Use/Best for: 3D rendering

4.2

Rating by Applet3D

G2

4.2

Although not specifically designed for product visualization, Artlantis can be used to create high-quality product renderings. It is a standalone, CPU-based 3D visualization software that contains a number of physical materials used to achieve photorealistic results. Artlantis offers a number of features, including precise lighting, materials, and texture options. It also offers a wide range of presets, including those for indoor and low-light conditions, as well as quality and speed detection. 

The built-in rendering manager in this 3D product design rendering software allows you to evenly distribute the computing load between local computers, minimizing the overall rendering time. With Artlantis, you can apply virtual shadows to the surface of an object, add depth to the scene, increase image realism, smooth shapes and add effects, and change the settings of the current image. You can import 3D models from programs such as Rhino, SketchUp, or ArchiCAD. 

Artlantis is available in a high-resolution version for still images, as well as a version that can create high-resolution 3D visualizations, iVisit360 panoramas, VR objects, and sequences. With a variety of output formats, Artlantis is a great product render software for manufacturers who want to impress their customers.

We also considered these solutions in our blog post “Best 3D rendering software”. Check it out if you want to know more about their additional features.

Which software is best for product rendering?

Product rendering software is used to create photorealistic 3D product models and renders for use in marketing materials, product design, commercials, and more. These programs allow designers and manufacturers to create realistic images and animations of products that are almost indistinguishable from photographs. What’s more, these product rendering tools are proving to be a more cost-effective solution for brands than traditional visual content creation tools. First-class product design rendering solutions allow you to save time and money on physical product photography and prototyping, as well as the ability to make changes to designs quickly and easily.

There are so many software tools for 3D product rendering, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. Each program has specific toolkits and usability levels that determine its overall performance and efficiency. Different 3D product design software may be used for each stage of product rendering, depending on the specific needs of the project. For example, 3ds Max or Maya may be used for creating the 3D model, while KeyShot or Artlantis may be used for the visualization stage.

Types of product rendering software: modeling, rendering, post-processing

That is, product rendering software can be divided into the following three main types:

1. 3D modeling software: Used to create 3D models of products. This is the first step in creating a digital image of your product. The process also includes adding textures and details through texture mapping. These 3D models can be used for product design, prototyping, and marketing purposes. 
   
   We have included 3ds Max, Blender, Rhinoceros, and ZBrush in the list of the best 3D modeling programs. These solutions will help you create product models with maximum accuracy.

2. Product rendering software: This type of software is designed specifically for creating photorealistic images and animations, that help emphasize the product’s features and aesthetics. At this stage of product development, specialized software converts 3D models into 2D images, and adds visual effects such as blobs, shading, scattering, display modes, and so on. The final images are usually used for products for marketing and advertising purposes. Among the above-mentioned software, we have included Lumion, Artlantis, V-Ray, Chaos Corona, and Keyshot.

3. The last stage of developing a 3D product design render is post-processing. Using specialized post-processing software such as Photoshop, specialists put the finishing touches on the image by adding special effects and correcting minor inaccuracies to enhance and improve the final result of the rendering process. This helps to enhance the visual appeal and highlight the product in all its glory.

Putting up this list, we have consulted with our 3D modelers and artists and identified the top product rendering software. Our team prefers to use these applications to ensure quality and reliable results for our clients, providing professional 3D product visualization services.

How to choose the best software for product rendering

Choosing the right 3D product rendering software can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. Here are a few criteria to consider:

• Ease of use: Look for software that is user-friendly and easy to learn, with a simple and intuitive interface. This can help to save time and reduce frustration in the design process.
• Features: Consider the features offered by the software, such as support for different file formats, lighting options, camera angles, animation capabilities, and materials. Look for software that offers the features that are most important to your project needs.
• Compatibility: Make sure that the program you choose is compatible with your operating system and the other software you use. This can help to ensure a smooth workflow and prevent compatibility issues.
• Performance: Rendering is a hard process for your PC, the speed of which depends on the power of your computer. Rendering programs use the processing power of your CPU or graphics card (CPU or GPU). Some only support the GPU, some only support the CPU, and some can use both. Therefore, when choosing the best software for product rendering, you need to pay attention to what your PC has the higher performance and select the program that supports rendering in the right way (with fast rendering times and the ability to handle complex 3D models with ease).
• Price: Consider the cost of the software, including any licensing fees and maintenance costs. Look for the best 3D software for product design that fits within your budget while also offering the features and capabilities you need. There are a lot of free tools available now that are on par with many expensive solutions in terms of functionality.
• Customer support: Choose the program that offers good customer support, including technical assistance and user forums where you can ask questions and get help.

By considering these criteria when selecting a product rendering software, you can find the best software for 3D product design that fits your needs and enables you to create high-quality, photorealistic 3D models of your products.

Conclusion

Using the modernity, convenience, and multi-functionality of the best rendering software for product design, artists create photorealistic images for marketing and sales purposes. The first step for them to succeed is carefully and rightfully picking up the software. Due to its variety, it may be difficult at first. We tried to solve this problem. So, if you are looking for suitable solutions, we have selected for you the list of the best 3D product rendering software in 2023. We talked about the features of each of them, prices, level of complexity, and the required operating system. Use our 3D visualization services to impress your customers and demonstrate all the features of your product!