How to choose rendering software: Part 1

3D World | Features | Technique | 15/01/2010 06:19am

RenderMan or RenderMan-compliant? V-Ray or mental ray? Cut through the fog with 3D World’s guide to choosing a render engine.

No other part of the 3D market offers quite the thrilling (and often downright confusing) diversity as rendering software.

When we last counted, there were over 40 separate render engines in development… and that’s without counting those for CAD packages.

If you’re confused by the range of options on offer, issue 126 of 3D World is for you. The magazine includes a guide to the key rendering applications currently available, plus a comprehensive buyers’ guide.

But if you already have a copy of issue 126 and want to explore further, our online bonus material should help you do just that.

Following the links below you can find information on other, less well-known rendering software, plus a more detailed discussion of key issues, including how to choose a rendering pipeline for VFX work… and whether you need to buy an additional render engine at all.

Part two
Click here for details of more render engines

Part three
Click here for more about whether you need a third-party renderer

Part four
Click here for more about choosing a renderer for VFX

Posted on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 6:19 am under Features, Technique. You can subscribe to comments. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.