If you're a Mac user, you probably know that 3D rendering on Mac can be a struggle.
Most 3D rendering software is not compatible with Apple computers, and when it does, it doesn't run as smoothly as it does on Windows machines.
Why is that?
Well, there are many reasons for that:
That's why there are fewer rendering programs for Mac than for Windows.
Does it mean that you should swap your Apple computer for a Windows machine?
Not necessarily.
There are still plenty of tools you can use to render architectural and interior designs on your Mac.
To save you some hassle, we've researched the compatibility of some of the top renderers on the market to help you make an informed choice.
Let's have a look.
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3, M4
System: all
MyArchitectAI is a cloud-based Mac rendering software that runs directly in your browser.
You can access it from any device - just log in and start creating. There's no need to download or install anything.
MyArchitectAI is a great fit for busy architects who can't afford to spend hours on every render. Thanks to its AI-powered engine, it lets you visualize any scene in just 10 seconds, without sacrificing quality.
Compatible? No
Lumion doesn’t work on Mac computers, and its developer doesn’t plan on making it compatible anytime soon.
While you can download Lumion on your Mac and run it using Apple's Bootcamp software for Windows 10, it's not recommended (or supported) because of being buggy and not using your Mac's hardware efficiently. Aside from that, your MacBook would need an Intel CPU (Apple's M1, M2, and M3 CPUs are not compatible).
Compatible? Partially
Supported chips: M1, M2
System: macOS X 10.9 Mavericks or later
While you can install and run V-Ray on Mac computers, V-Ray GPU will only work using CPU processing.
You can still run distributed rendering between your Mac and Windows/Linux machines, with both using the CUDA engine - your Mac handling CPU tasks while the other machine uses its GPU. Just keep in mind this isn't the most efficient setup.
V-Ray is available both for SketchUp and Rhino on Mac computers.
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3
System: macOS Monterey 12.6 or later
Enscape for Mac is fully compatible with:
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3, M4
System: macOS Monterey 12.5 or later (Twinmotion can run on older macOS versions but they're not officially supported)
While you can render your designs using Twinmotion on Mac computers, there are certain limitations compared to Windows:
Compatible? No
Similar to Lumion, there is no way to run D5 Render on Mac computers.
Although users have been requesting a Mac version for some time now, D5 developers haven't yet announced an official release date. However, you can join the waitlist to receive updates when when Mac compatibility becomes available.
Compatible? Partially
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3, M4
System: macOS 11.7 Big Sur or newer
Since 2022, KeyShot is available on Mac computers, offering full Apple silicon support.
Users with newer Macs with Apple silicon chips report 15% to 30% performance gains in rendering and usability.
The biggest downside though is that GPU rendering is not supported.
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3, M4
System: macOS 11 or newer
Maya is a great choice as Mac rendering software as it runs natively on macOS and its performance is stable across all Apple M-series chips.
Although relatively rare, some users have reported compatibility issues with certain plugins.
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2
System: macOS 12 Monterey or newer
Octane Render works on Mac computers and supports both AMD and Apple GPUs. Octane X Network rendering is supported too.
Compatible? Yes
Supported chips: M1, M2, M3
System: macOS 12 Monterey or newer
While Artlantis provides native macOS support, users have reported mixed experiences with its performance, particularly on systems using Apple's newer chips
Mac users have limited options compared to Windows users when it comes to 3D rendering software.
Some of the most popular programs such as V-Ray, D5 Render, and Lumion are not available for Mac, which can be frustrating for architects who prefer the Apple ecosystem.
These users need to either switch platforms or find alternative rendering tools that run on Mac.
So if you're already a Mac user, choose one of the compatible renderers we listed above.
However, if you're planning to buy a Mac primarily for 3D rendering, consider a Windows PC instead. Windows machines with Nvidia GPUs will give you better performance, more reliable rendering, and a wider range of software to choose from.
While Apple silicon chips are very powerful, they're not a good choice for 3D rendering. The main reason for that is that most 3D rendering software is designed to work with NVIDIA's CUDA technology and RTX features, which are not available on Macs since Apple doesn't use NVIDIA GPUs.
Here are three great options you should consider:
1. Mac Studio with M2 Ultra (Best balance of power and value)
Features:
2. MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Max (Best Mac for portability)
Features:
3. Mac Pro with M2 Ultra (Best Mac for extendability)
Features:
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