In the world of 3D rendering, speed and efficiency are critical, and it's a fact that GPU rendering has become a game changer. This article describes everything you need to know about GPU rendering, from setting up your hardware to exploring its benefits and some useful tips to optimize your workflow. We hope this guide will help you reach a better conclusion about what GPU offers you for faster and more efficient rendering!
In this article, detailed research has been done on the essential tools of the market, and I believe that it can help you in the best possible way to be informed about which tools are available at your fingertips and which are the ones that most of your colleagues use in their daily workflow. It also answers one of the most frequent questions I receive from young artists: "What programs should I know to stand out in the architectural visualization market so that I can either work in a studio or as a freelancer to collaborate with other artists?"
3D Modeling Software Usage In The ArchViz Market (2022-2024).
The following table showcases the preferences for 3D modeling software as observed in polls conducted during 2022 and 2024:
| Software | 2022 Usage - 886 Votes | 2024 Usage - 1069 Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 3ds Max | 58% | 59% |
| SketchUp | 16% | 13% |
| Blender | 4% | 8% |
| AutoCAD | 7% | 4% |
| Archicad | 1% | 4% |
| Revit | 3% | 4% |
| Rhino | 3% | 2% |
| Cinema 4D | 3% | 2% |
| Modo | 1% | 1% |
| ZBrush | 2% | 1% |
| Lightwave 3D | 1% | 1% |
| Houdini | 1% | 1% |
Key Observations And Trends In 3D Modeling Software Usage (2022-2024).
- 3ds Max Dominates the Market.
Over the past two years, 3ds Max has solidified its position as the top choice for architectural visualization, rising from 58% to 59% usage. This small growth reflects its versatility, powerful modeling tools, and strong integration with leading render engines like Corona Renderer and V-Ray, making it indispensable for ArchViz professionals. Even if I hear several complaints very often related to its stability and lack of crucial updates, it is evident that there is still no strong competitor. - SketchUp Experiences a Slight Decline.
SketchUp has seen a slight decrease in usage, dropping from 16% to 13%. While it remains popular among architects and designers for its user-friendly interface and rapid conceptual modeling capabilities, the decline may indicate a shift toward more versatile or advanced tools in the ArchViz community. - Blender Gains Traction.
Blender has nearly doubled its user base, increasing from 4% to 8%. Blender's rapid growth indicates that professionals are exploring cost-effective, flexible alternatives. Its real-time rendering options and free pricing model are drawing the attention of independent artists and small studios. I also think this incremental result happens because more and more architects have become archviz artists in recent years. - Minimal Growth in Revit and Archicad.
Revit and Archicad hold a small but steady share, primarily due to their focus on BIM workflows. Their usage at 4% indicates a niche role in the ArchViz community, catering to projects requiring precise architectural documentation. - Decline in Traditional Niche Tools.
Tools like Rhino, Cinema 4D, and Modo have seen a marginal decline or stagnation, reflecting the ArchViz community's shift toward more mainstream and specialized tools that integrate seamlessly with rendering pipelines.
Overall Takeaway.
The 3D modeling software landscape in the ArchViz community remains dominated by 3ds Max, which continues to set the standard for complex modeling and compatibility. However, Blender is emerging as a strong competitor, particularly for those seeking open-source solutions. Tools like SketchUp retain their niche appeal, while BIM-focused software such as Revit and Archicad cater to specialized workflows. As workflows evolve, flexibility and integration with modern rendering engines will likely shape future trends in software adoption.
Render Engines In the Archviz Market (2021-2024).
Render engines play a vital role in achieving lifelike results. Below is a comparative view of render engine preferences from 2021 to 2024:
| Render Engine | 2021 Usage - 1145 Votes | 2024 Usage - 1099 Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Corona Renderer | 40% | 43% |
| V-Ray | 35% | 26% |
| Lumion | 7% | 3% |
| Unreal Engine | 2% | 4% |
| D5 Render | 4% | 4% |
| Vantage | 3% | 3% |
| Cycles | 2% | 3% |
| Twinmotion | 0% | 2% |
| FStorm | 3% | 1% |
| Octane Renderer | 1% | 1% |
| NVIDIA Iray | 1% | 1% |
| Maxwell | 1% | 1% |
| RenderMan | 1% | 1% |
| Arion Render | 1% | 1% |
| Scanline | 1% | 1% |
| Mental Ray | 0% | 0% |
| Redshift | 0% | 0% |
| Arnold | 0% | 0% |
| Karma | 0% | 0% |
Key Observations And Trends In Render Engines Usage (2022-2024).
We could say that here we have a more complicated "Battle" but with a clear final winner called chaos. But let's see the whole thing in more detail.
- Corona Renderer Grows in Popularity.
Corona has gained a few more users, strengthening its position as the top choice. Its ease of use and high-quality results make it a favorite among architectural visualizers, especially those needing realistic lighting and materials. The steady updates from Corona keep users happy and even attract new ones. - V-Ray Users Decline, but Chaos Expands.
V-Ray has lost around 10% of its users, but Chaos Group is balancing this by offering new tools like Vantage and Enscape. Vantage is popular with those who need fast, real-time feedback, while Enscape appeals to architects who want easy, real-time visualization. So, while traditional V-Ray usage is dropping, Chaos keeps users within its ecosystem with these added tools. - Lumion Loses Half of Its Users.
Lumion has seen a significant drop, losing about half of its users. This could be because D5 Render offers similar real-time rendering with a more modern approach. Many former Lumion users may have moved to D5, which offers high-quality real-time visuals powered by GPUs, making it attractive to architects. - Unreal Engine and Twinmotion Slowly Growing.
Unreal Engine has doubled its user base, though it still holds a small share at 4%. However, combined with Twinmotion, these two hold about 6% of the market. Unreal is popular for those wanting super-realistic, interactive scenes, while Twinmotion’s more straightforward interface appeals to architects who need quick, immersive visuals. - FStorm and Octane Show Unexpected Drops.
FStorm and Octane, known for their fast GPU-based rendering, have seen a surprising decrease in users. This may be because other GPU-based engines are gaining popularity, or it could mean many users in this group still prefer CPU-based options for their projects. GPU-only engines haven’t become mainstream here just yet. - 0% usage is not accurate.
For Redshift, Arnold, and Karma render engines, the real result is -1%, but this doesn't mean they are not good tools. At this point, I would like to share a discussion on the *Group that is an informative example:
Overall Takeaway.
People have long thought GPU rendering would eventually replace CPU rendering because GPUs are faster. However, as we can see, the shift hasn’t fully happened yet. CPU-based render engines like Corona and V-Ray dominate this group because they are likely stable, deliver realistic results, and fit well with current workflows.
While more users are interested in GPU rendering, especially with real-time options and hybrid engines, most professionals here still rely on CPU rendering for their primary work. This trend might change as GPU technology and integration improve, but CPU rendering remains strong for now.
Post-Production Tools In The Archviz Market (2024).
Unfortunately, we won't have a comparison with previous years for the Post-Production tools as we never shared any similar research in the past. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that it was pretty similar in the past, with Adobe Photoshop holding the reins of the architectural visualization market. So, the survey of post-production tools used by 3d artists revealed the following preferences in 2024:
| Post-Production Tool | 2024 Usage - 354 Votes |
|---|---|
| Photoshop | 68% |
| Luminar | 8% |
| Affinity Photo | 5% |
| DaVinci Resolve | 6% |
| GIMP | 4% |
| Corel Painter | 3% |
| After Effects | 2% |
| Fusion | 2% |
| Autodesk Flame | 1% |
| Nuke | 1% |
Key Observations and Trends in Post-Production Tools Usage (2024).
- Photoshop Is the Dominant Tool.
Photoshop continues to be the undisputed leader in post-production tools for the ArchViz community, holding a 68% usage share. Its versatility, wide range of features, and deep integration with various workflows make it the go-to tool for image enhancement, retouching, and compositing, ensuring its position as the industry standard. Especially with all these AI-integrated tools that have recently been added to their software, it keeps its client's interest active. - Emerging Competition from Luminar and Affinity Photo.
Luminar and Affinity Photo show notable growth, with Luminar capturing 8% and Affinity Photo at 5%. These tools offer potent alternatives to Photoshop, particularly for those looking for more affordable solutions. Luminar's AI-driven capabilities and Affinity's growing reputation among professionals contribute to their rising popularity. - Post-Production Video Tools Gain Ground.
DaVinci Resolve has become an essential tool for ArchViz professionals involved in video production, holding a 6% share. Its robust color grading features and growing reputation in the VFX and video production industries make it a strong contender against traditional post-production tools like After Effects. - Open-Source Options Show Steady Appeal.
GIMP holds 4% of the market, with its free and open-source nature continuing to appeal to those seeking budget-friendly options without compromising functionality. While it does not match Photoshop's level of polish, GIMP is favored by users who require basic editing capabilities. - Niche Tools for Specialized Workflows.
Tools like Corel Painter, After Effects, and Nuke represent specialized options within the ArchViz community. Professionals typically use these tools on highly detailed, complex post-production tasks, from digital painting (Corel Painter) to visual effects compositing (After Effects and Nuke). Though their market share remains smaller, they fulfill critical needs in specific creative workflows.
Overall Takeaway.
Photoshop’s dominance in post-production remains unchallenged, but alternatives like Luminar, Affinity Photo, and DaVinci Resolve are gradually carving out their niche as cost-effective or specialized solutions. Open-source options like GIMP continue to provide budget-friendly alternatives, while more advanced tools such as Nuke and After Effects cater to specific high-end needs. The trend reflects a growing diversification in the post-production landscape, where users select tools based on budget, specific use cases, and the type of projects they work on.
Conclusions.
The tools that have risen to the top in the ArchViz community over the years are 3ds Max, Corona, and Photoshop, each holding a firm grip on their respective areas of architectural visualization. Despite its occasional frustrations, 3ds Max remains the backbone of the ArchViz workflow, offering unmatched flexibility and a deep toolset that continues to drive professional quality in the industry. Corona Renderer has emerged as the go-to engine for those craving speed and realistic results. Its growing user base appreciates its simplicity and ability to produce photorealistic imagery with minimal effort. Meanwhile, Photoshop maintains its reign as the dominant post-production tool, where its unparalleled features for image editing, manipulation, and compositing make it an essential asset in creating polished, final visualizations that captivate 3d artists.
A Little Humor To End.
Let’s be honest and say that being a 3D artist in the architectural visualization world isn't all sunshine and rainbows! In fact, some might say it feels more like a curse than a blessing. Take 3ds Max, for example—while it still holds the crown as the go-to software for most ArchViz professionals, its performance makes users feel like they’re trying to run a marathon in slow motion. According to our poll (which, let’s face it, was probably more therapeutic than anything), half of the users have said they are “a lot” disappointed with its performance.
Can you blame them? With all the crashes, endless plugins, and occasional glitches that make you question your life choices, it's no surprise that many users feel stuck in a perpetual loop of frustration, forced to endure the daily grind of 3ds Max... despite not really enjoying it.
Poll Topic: How disappointed are you with the performance of 3ds Max all these years?
| Answers | Percentage - 250 Votes |
|---|---|
| A lot! | 57% |
| So so... | 8% |
| A bit. | 21% |
| Not at all! | 14% |
So, 3ds Max... are you the necessary evil of ArchViz? Or is it just an old friend who’s hard to break up with? Either way, we’re all in this together. And remember, no matter how annoyed you get, you're not alone. Most of us are right there with you, trying to squeeze some semblance of productivity out of that "distinctive beast," and as we usually say in Greece: "If you can't avoid a rape, then enjoy it."
Kind regards & keep rendering! 🧡
About the author
Vasilis Koutlis, the founder of VWArtclub, was born in Athens in 1979. After studying furniture design and decoration, he started dedicating himself to 3D art in 2002. In 2012, the idea of VWArtclub was born: an active 3D community that has grown over the last 12 years into one of the largest online 3D communities worldwide, with over 160 thousand members. He acquired partners worldwide, and various collaborators trusted him with their ideas as he rewarded them with his consistent state-of-the-art services. Not a moment goes by without him thinking of a beautiful image; thus, he is never concerned with time but only with the design's quality.
