SketchUp AI rendering tools are becoming more and more popular these days thanks to the recent rapid developments in artificial intelligence technology.
Compared to traditional rendering engines, they can produce similar output quality in a fraction of the time.
But not all of them are created equal, and it's important to know what to look for to ensure you're getting the best results:
We've researched some of the top AI SketchUp rendering tools on the market, and here are our picks.
MyArchitectAI is an AI SketchUp rendering software that's mostly praised for its impressive balance between quality and speed.
Thanks to a custom render engine trained on thousands of quality designs, it generates visualizations with photorealism on par with the most advanced rendering tools out there.
And if you want to render your SketchUp design in a style that's difficult to describe in words, use MyArchitectAI's style transfer feature. Simply upload a reference image, and MyArchitectAI will apply its aesthetic to your design and create a unique concept.
As with most AI rendering tools, there is close to zero learning curve as you just need to upload your design, adjust the settings, and hit the "generate" button.
Renders take 10 seconds on average, which is undoubtedly useful for firms working on tight deadlines.
The app runs in the cloud which means you don't need a high-performance computer with an expensive GPU to render your designs. The whole process happens on MyArchitectAI's servers.
Pricing: $29/month for unlimited renders. Free plan available.
While not yet fully satisfying users with its results, SketchUp has its own AI rendering plugin called SketchUp Diffusion. It's included in your plan so there is no reason for you not to give it a shot if you have an active license.
It supports custom prompts as well as built-in style presets, so it accommodates users regardless of their prompting experience.
You can adjust how closely the AI adheres to your model's geometry using the 'respect model geometry' slider. This setting lets you determine the level of 'creativity' you want the AI engine to apply, which can be helpful in the ideation stage.
It's important to note that the extension is still in its infancy, and the colors and materials are not yet well-preserved in the renderings. That's why SketchUp Diffusion is currently only useful during the early conceptualization phase of a project, where it can generate multiple variations of your design, rather than create a final, polished rendering.
Here's our step-by-step guide on how to render in SketchUp.
Pricing: the plugin is free for active Go, Pro, or Studio subscribers free for a limited time
Arko is another AI rendering software for SketchUp that works for both interior and architectural models.
It supports both custom prompts and negative prompts, giving you greater control over the design output than just presets.
Aside from SketchUp, Arko is compatible with Rhino and Revit, and is available on both Windows and Mac.
Pricing: starts at $25/month. Free trial available.
LookX stands out as one of the most feature-rich AI renderers for SketchUp. With features such as real-time rendering, video generation based on text input, and style transfer, it offers a wide range of creative possibilities for your 3D models.
It also allows you to train your own AI model. By providing a set of images in a similar style, LookX can create a custom model that generates renderings matching your specific style.
LookX also offers a "Creations Plaza," a repository containing hundreds of architectural designs that can serve as a source of inspiration for your projects. This feature can be invaluable when seeking fresh ideas or references for your renderings.
In addition to its compatibility with SketchUp, LookX also has a Rhino rendering plugin.
Pricing: starts at $20/month
Veras is a versatile AI rendering software for SketchUp, Revit, Rhinoceros, and Vectorworks.
With a wide range of customization options, including geometry and material override, custom prompts, and prompt strength, Veras lets you make the output match your specific needs.
Particularly useful during the conceptualization phase of a project, Veras's geometry and material override settings allow you to generate various versions of your design.
You can either install the software on your Windows or Mac computer or run it directly in your browser without the need for any installations.
Pricing: $49/month. Veras also offers an educational license at $24/month. It doesn't give you commercial rights to your renderings though.
InteriorAI is made for users who need to redecorate their interior spaces or for realtors looking to make their listings more appealing to potential clients with the AI virtual staging feature.
InteriorAI generates architectural designs with a decent level of photorealism and accuracy and the process takes about 30 seconds on average,
In addition to still images, the app can create 3D flythroughs, providing an immersive virtual reality-like experience that can be especially useful for showcasing your designs to clients or stakeholders.
While InteriorAI provides over 50 style presets, it doesn't currently support custom prompts, which means you can't customize the output as precisely as with other apps mentioned before.
Pricing: starts at $39/month for 1,000 renders. No free plan available.
Last but not least, ReRender is another AI rendering app for SketchUp that's easy to use and produces a decent level of realism quickly.
It works with both interior and architectural designs and supports sketches, CAD models, and photos of real designs as input.
It also has a virtual staging feature, making it a good fit for realtors looking to improve the perceived value of their listings. By quickly turning empty spaces into beautifully furnished and decorated interiors, ReRender can help attract more potential buyers.
Pricing: starts at $45/month. Free plan available.
Ultimately, the best SketchUp AI renderer is the one that meets your project needs best. If you need an accurate tool that will replace a traditional renedrer like V-Ray or Lumion, MyArchitectAI is likely your best choice. If you only need a tool for experimenting with different aesthetics, any of the options mentioned above will work, even SketchUp Diffusion.
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