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Workflow view of 3D architectural visualization from BIM model to final render

Create 3D architectural renderings with real-time previews inside of your BIM software

Turn drawings into beautiful spaces with powerful assets and real-time rendering.

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Plan includes

Redshift for Archviz Subscription
All Integration Plugins
Multiple Instances up to 8 GPUs+ on a Single Computer

To use the application you will have to register for a MyMaxon account and accept our EULA.

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What is Redshift for Archviz?

Redshift for Archviz is the ideal tool for architects, interior designers, and urban planners to create high‑quality previews of any architectural design in real time. Use it to

  • visualize your model within a physically accurate environment using precise lighting and realistic materials.
  • enhance architectural models.
  • achieve exceptional image quality and performance thanks to the market‑leading rendering technology of Redshift.

Direct integrations

Available now for Vectorworks.

 Coming soon to Revit and Archicad.

Core benefits

Seamless integration

Redshift for Archviz integrates with your favorite BIM software as a native plugin, allowing you to instantly preview, refine and create realistic architectural renderings in a single environment.

Redshift for Archviz integrates as a native plugin into your preferred BIM software

Real-time preview for fast iteration

Instantly preview your designs and architectural renderings in the BIM software of your choice with cinematic quality. View changes to your 3D models reflected in real-time, with accurate lighting, materials, and environmental effects. Ideal for quick design decisions and client presentations.

Comparison of a 3D model wireframe and the rendered final image

Architectural rendering software for Mac and Windows

Redshift for Archviz is available for Windows and Mac, enabling architects to use advanced visualization features wherever they work.

The architecture rendering software Redshift for Archviz is available for Windows and Mac

See how it works

Powerful features

3D architectural rendering with a focus on lighting, the right light at any time of day

The right light at any hour

Easily adjust the time of day, sun position, and sky conditions to see how natural light interacts with your design. Whether it’s morning, sunset, or overcast skies, simulate realistic lighting scenarios to match any location or season.

Clear skies, clouds, and everything in between

Precisely control cloud coverage and simulate conditions from clear blue skies to overcast conditions. This allows you to visualize how clouds affect natural light, shadows, and the overall mood of your architectural rendering.

3D Visualization of how clouds influence natural light, shadows, and the overall mood of architectural renderings
Architectural rendering of interior and exterior areas, enhanced with cinematic details from the integrated asset library

Fill every space with life

Quickly furnish interiors and exteriors with high-quality assets to enhance your architectural renderings with cinematic detail. The integrated asset library offers a drag-and-drop ready assortment of furniture, vehicles, realistic plants, and characters that easily snap into place and interact naturally with surfaces.

Materials to let any surface shine

Bring your architectural rendering to life using our library of physically accurate materials. From polished concrete and brushed metal to glass, wood, and textiles, each material responds naturally to light and environment. Materials can easily be applied, adjusted, and previewed in real-time.

3D architectural rendering with visual callouts highlighting materials and composition techniques

Getting started with Redshift for Archviz

Introduction to the interface

Get familiar with the Redshift interface inside Vectorworks and learn where to find the key controls. Jonathan Reeves provides a quick orientation so you can get up-to-speed in no time. Get started today and start using Redshift for Archviz.

Watch now

Architectural visualization process from sketch and BIM model to final 3D render

Key features

Explore the core features that make Redshift a powerful rendering solution for Vectorworks users. This tutorial highlights rendering, physically accurate materials, advanced lighting, and real-time feedback, helping you understand what tools to use and when.

Watch now

3D architectural rendering of the interior with a visual focus on lighting, materials, and composition techniques

Go further with Cinema 4D

Learn how to extend your Vectorworks projects by exporting to Cinema 4D for more control and advanced Redshift workflows. This video shows how to take advantage of Cinema 4D’s animation, simulation, and scene management.

Watch now

Architectural visualization: how to extend Vectorworks projects by exporting to Cinema 4D and advanced Redshift workflows
3D architectural rendering of modern hillside house with wood and glass design

“Redshift empowers architects to translate design intent into stunning, photoreal visuals quickly, accurately, and without breaking creative flow.”

Jonathan Reeves

Case studies

Learn how Redshift helps our customers achieve stunning architectural renderings.

Growing asset library

As your architectural scenes grow in ambition, Redshift's expanding asset library gives you a powerful head start. A growing collection of high-quality materials, lights, and ready-to-use assets lets you populate scenes faster while maintaining physical accuracy and visual consistency. These assets are optimized for performance and realism, allowing architects and archviz artists to focus on design decisions instead of technical setup.

Achieve photorealistic architectural visualizations using Cinema 4D

When it’s time to add animation, simulations, or advanced polish, you can export your project directly to Cinema 4D. Materials, lighting, and assets carry over intact, giving you access to cinematic control and tools for even more impactful walkthroughs, stills, and animations with studio-quality finish.

Learn more about Cinema 4D

FAQs

Answers to common questions about using Redshift in BIM visualization workflows.

What is Redshift, and how does it fit into BIM visualization workflows?

Redshift is a GPU-accelerated, physically based renderer used to create high-quality, photorealistic images from BIM models. When paired with supported BIM software, Redshift enhances the speed of development with real-time visualization. When your project is nearing completion, use Redshift for final-quality imagery, client presentations, and marketing visuals while maintaining a strong connection to the underlying BIM project. 

What hardware is recommended for using Redshift with BIM software?

Redshift is optimized for modern GPU hardware and performs best on systems equipped with NVIDIA RTX graphics cards on Windows or Apple Silicon (M3 Pro, M4 Pro or higher) on macOS. A capable GPU significantly improves performance, responsiveness, and final render quality. GPU acceleration is central to Redshift’s speed and scalability advantages.

How do materials work when using Redshift with BIM models?

Redshift includes a library of physically accurate materials that can be applied to BIM geometry to achieve realistic surface behavior under real-world lighting conditions. These materials are designed to handle reflections, transparency, and roughness correctly, making them well suited for architectural finishes such as glass, metals, stone, and coatings. Materials from BIM software can often be converted or replaced with Redshift materials, allowing users to balance ease of use with higher visual fidelity.

Is Redshift suitable for architectural lighting, daylighting, and interiors?

Redshift is particularly well suited for architectural lighting scenarios, including daylight studies, artificial lighting design, and interior visualization. Its global illumination system produces natural light bounces and accurate shadowing, helping spaces read more realistically. When combined with physically based lights and real-world exposure values, Redshift delivers predictable results for both interior and exterior scenes across BIM-driven workflows.

Can BIM projects be exported to Cinema 4D for Redshift production rendering?

Yes, our Redshift for archviz plugin allows you to export projects directly to Cinema 4D. Geometry, materials, cameras, and basic lighting typically transfer well, allowing users to continue refining scenes, materials, and lighting at a higher level of control. Within Cinema 4D you can add animation and simulation to take your project further.

How do I install the plugin?

Redshift for ArchViz is currently available for Vectorworks and coming soon to Revit and Archicad. This is how you install Redshift for Vectorworks:

Installation Instructions - Plugin Version

Updating an existing installation
If you are updating an existing install:

  • Verify that Vectorworks & Maxon app are installed and updated
  • Uninstall the previous version of the plugin
  • Install the latest version of the plugin

Fresh Installation

  1. Install Vectorworks 2026 with default settings, to the default installation location:
    1. Windows: C:\Program Files\Vectorworks 2026
    2. Mac: Applications → Vectorworks 2026
  2. Download and install Maxon app, then log in using your beta user account.
    1. Download from: https://www.maxon.net/en/try
    2. After logging in, verify that you have the beta license properly assigned by checking the Licenses tab.
  3. Install the AEC viewer using the above installer file
  4. Launch Vectorworks and enable the plugin:
    1. Open Vectorworks 2026
    2. Click customize in the "Basic" section (where icons are in the hamburger menu)
    3. In the dialog drag the ‘Redshift’ item from the ‘Rendering’ category to the right window. Click OK.
  5. You should now see the plugin active in the tool view
  6. Click the ‘Auto Synch’ button to launch the Redshift plugin
Modern luxury house 3D architectural rendering in forest at sunset

Try Redshift for Archviz

Experience cinematic quality paired
with real-time workflows.

Get the trial for free