Architecture Rendering Reimagined: Lumion, Twinmotion, D5... and Vizera.ai

The landscape of architecture rendering software is changing rapidly. Alongside established players like Lumion and Twinmotion, AI-based tools are entering the market. In this article, we compare the most important rendering tools and show how we at Mirae combine the best of all worlds.

Vizera.ai is one of the most exciting new developments in AI rendering. The Swiss platform was specifically designed for the architecture industry and uses advanced diffusion models trained on architectural images. The biggest advantage: results in seconds instead of hours. Architects can upload sketches, plans, or 3D models and receive photorealistic visualizations almost instantly. Vizera.ai is ideal for concept phases, variant studies, and quick client presentations. The platform hosts all data in Switzerland and is GDPR-compliant.

Lumion has been a market leader in real-time architecture rendering for years. The software excels in user-friendliness: even without deep technical knowledge, appealing visualizations can be created quickly. Lumion offers a massive asset library with trees, furniture, vehicles, and people. Integration with ArchiCAD, Revit, and SketchUp is seamless. For architecture firms that want to visualize in-house, Lumion is a solid choice — even if the results don't quite reach the level of professional studio renderings.

Twinmotion, developed by Epic Games (the makers of Unreal Engine), offers real-time rendering based on Unreal Engine technology. The software is free for individual users and delivers impressive results for the price. Particularly strong: the VR capabilities and the ability to create interactive presentations. Twinmotion is excellent for virtual tours and immersive client presentations. Image quality has significantly improved with recent updates.

D5 Render is a rising newcomer from China that impresses with excellent rendering quality and a generous free plan. The software uses real-time ray tracing and delivers results that compete with significantly more expensive solutions. The asset library is continuously growing and community integration enables the exchange of materials and scenes. For cost-conscious firms, D5 Render is a serious alternative.

Enscape takes a different approach: instead of functioning as standalone software, Enscape works as a plugin directly within Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, or Rhino. The advantage: architects can switch from design to visualization without any disruption. One click — and the BIM model becomes an interactive real-time rendering. For quick design reviews and client presentations directly from the model, Enscape is unbeatable in efficiency.

At Mirae, we don't rely on a single tool but combine the strengths of different solutions. For AI-powered concept visualizations and quick variant studies, we use Vizera.ai and our custom-trained models. For photorealistic renderings of the highest quality, we work with professional 3D software. And for interactive presentations and virtual tours, we turn to real-time engines. This hybrid approach allows us to use the optimal tool for every project and every phase — and to always deliver the best result for our clients.