An architecture rendering farm is a dedicated cluster of high-performance computers designed to handle the demanding task of producing architectural renderings. These renderings are detailed, high-quality images or animations created from architectural models, showcasing how a building or space will look upon completion. They are crucial for architects to visualize and communicate design concepts, make informed decisions during the design process, and present ideas compellingly to clients and stakeholders. Architecture rendering involves using specialized software to create photorealistic or stylized visualizations of architectural designs. Architects need a rendering farm because it dramatically accelerates the rendering process, enabling the production of high-quality visual content within a fraction of the time it would take on a single computer. For large-scale projects or when tight deadlines are involved, the speed and efficiency offered by a rendering farm are invaluable. By distributing the rendering workload across multiple computers, a rendering farm can process numerous frames simultaneously, significantly reducing the overall rendering time. This allows architects to iterate their designs more freely, exploring different options and adjusting based on the rendered outputs. Additionally, rendering farms can handle the heavy lifting of rendering tasks, freeing up architects’ workstations for other critical design work. This combination of speed, efficiency, and the ability to produce high-quality visualizations makes rendering farms an essential tool in modern architectural design, facilitating better communication, decision-making, and the realization of architectural visions.
Listed below are the top rendering farm services for architects:
- RebusFarm: RebusFarm is a vital resource for the best architecture rendering, offering an on-demand cloud rendering service that significantly reduces rendering times. It provides a global network of computers, making it ideal for architects and designers to explore design options quickly. With plans starting at $0.099 (€0.092, £0.082) per hour, RebusFarm is accessible for various project sizes, offering up to 14 CPU cores and 56 GB of RAM for more demanding tasks.
- iRender Farm: iRender Farm enhances the best architecture rendering with its cloud rendering service, providing access to increased rendering power. Costs vary with the level of computing power, starting at $0.15 (€0.14, £0.12) per CPU hour. iRender Farm’s primary plan is suitable for a range of project demands, offering renderings 3-4 times faster than local machines.
- Super Renders Farm: Super Renders Farm offers a streamlined cloud rendering service tailored for architecture and design. It allows users to access high-powered computing for faster render times. Starting at $0.15 (€0.14, £0.12) per CPU core hour, it provides scalable GPU/CPU rendering solutions. Users typically experience renderings 3-4 times quicker than on local setups.
- Garage Farm: Garage Farm is a cloud-based rendering service focusing on architectural visualization. It offers fast render times and various pricing plans. The basic plan starts at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per GPU hour, with more advanced options available. Garage Farm is ideal for projects requiring basic to advanced rendering capabilities, boasting render times of 2-3 hours for detailed scenes at 1080p resolution.
- Megarender Cloud Render Farm: Megarender Cloud Render Farm simplifies cloud-based rendering for architecture and design, with monthly plans starting from $99 (€86, £75). It offers a unique subscription model based on the number of renders, not GPU hours, catering to diverse rendering needs. The 50 renders per month plan strikes a balance between volume and cost.
- Render Rocket: Render Rocket caters to architectural visualization with its scalable GPU power and collaboration tools, offering a simple pricing model starting at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per minute per GPU. The Power plan, doubling rendering power at a moderate cost, is considered the best value. Render Rocket is known for its user-friendly interface, scalability, and geometry optimizations.
- 3S Cloud Render Farm: 3S Cloud Render Farm offers a flexible rendering solution for architecture and design, with pricing starting at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per core hour. It provides granular control over core allocation, specialized plugins, and 24/7 support. The Gold GPU configuration is highlighted for its balance of power and cost.
- RenderNation: RenderNation specializes in architecture and design visualization, leveraging a global farm of GPU/CPU cores for over a decade. With costs starting at $29 (€25, £22) per final frame for standard definition renders, RenderNation provides tailored hardware for 3D visualization.
1. RebusFarm
RebusFarm is an on-demand cloud rendering service that allows architects, designers, visualizers, and other creative professionals to access additional computing power for rendering projects. RebusFarm has a global network of computers and servers that users can leverage to decrease generating times significantly compared to a single local machine. This allows users to iterate and explore design options more quickly. RebusFarm costs vary based on the computing power plan selected and the monthly rendering hours used. The basic plan starts at $0.099 (€0.092, £0.082) per hour of rendering time. For 10 hours of monthly rendering time, the cost would be $20 (€18, £16) to $30 (€28, £25) on average. More advanced plans with increased computing power are available at higher hourly rates, up to $3.99 (€3.70, £3.29) per hour for the highest performance configurations.
The primary computing power plan from RebusFarm, called XS, offers up to 4 CPU cores and 8 GB of RAM per rendering instance. This entry-level configuration can handle small-to-moderate-size scenes effectively. The XS plan is a good option for users who only need to render occasional test renders or small projects. RebusFarm advertises approximate rendering times up to 7 times faster than a 6-core local machine. The best value pricing plan based on performance per dollar from RebusFarm is likely the M plan. This mid-range configuration offers up to 14 CPU cores and 56 GB of RAM for $1.199 (€1.11, £0.99) per hour.
RebusFarm offers several key advantages to users. Speedy rendering times through access to cloud computing power, flexible pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, no upfront hardware investment required, easy submission process for multiple file formats, and high reliability/uptime for rendering systems. The global scale of RebusFarm’s servers also aids in delivering fast rendering speeds. Some disadvantages or limitations of using RebusFarm include ongoing costs that can add up to high rendering usage, a potential learning curve for new users to access full capabilities, a lack of personalized account management, and somewhat limited technical support options. ArchitectureLab recommends RebusFarm as a top choice for architecture rendering for several reasons. The platform provides unmatched rendering speed through cloud capabilities that even high-end local machines cannot match. The reasonable entry pricing and the multiple tiers available make RebusFarm accessible for firms of all sizes.
2. iRender Farm
iRender Farm is a pay-as-you-go cloud rendering service that provides architects, designers, and other creatives access to increased rendering power. The distributed network of computers allows users to speed up render times by sending jobs to iRender Farm’s cloud infrastructure. Pricing for using iRender Farm varies depending on the level of computing power selected and the number of rendering hours used per month. The starter plan is $0.15 (€0.14, £0.12) per CPU hour. For 15 monthly rendering hours, costs would average $35 (€32, £29). More robust GPU and CPU configurations range up to $2.49 (€2.31, £2.06) per hour, with actual spending scaling with usage. The primary computing plan iRender Farm offers utilizes up to 4 CPU cores with 8 GB of RAM. This entry-level configuration works well for rendering small-to-moderate-sized scenes, and test renders when primary CPU power is needed. The flexibility to customize and scale up makes this plan suitable for individuals with wide-ranging project demands.
iRender Farm states that jobs are completed 3-4 times faster than local machines. More complex scenes seeing 6-8x speedier turnaround times by leveraging increased cloud computing capabilities is common. Users can expect excellent rendering improvements. The best value pricing plan from iRender Farm is likely the medium GPU. Starting at $1.15 (€1.07, £0.95) per hour, this plan unlocks excellent rendering power at moderate cost. With access to up to 8 GPU cores and 32 GB of RAM, the configuration can effectively handle demanding architectural visualization work. Key advantages iRender Farm offers include fast rendering through scalable computing resources, flexible custom configuration of plans, reasonable pay-as-you-go costs with no commitments, high reliability and uptime, and a global network of servers. User-friendly apps and submission tools also make accessing the service very straightforward.
Potential downsides include accumulating higher costs for heavy rendering usage, moderately steep learning curves for some users, lack of advanced account management features, and limited post-sales technical support options compared to enterprise services. There are also file storage/transfer costs to consider. ArchitectureLab recommends iRender Farm for its excellent balance of performance, flexibility, and accessible pricing. The service makes leveraging increased cloud computing horsepower very achievable for companies large and small. Easy submission tools and reliable infrastructure result in excellent experiences completing rendering-intensive architectural visualization work faster.
3. Super Renders Farm
Super Renders Farm is an easy-to-use cloud rendering service tailored to architecture and design professionals. The on-demand platform provides access to a scalable network of high-powered computers for GPU/CPU rendering, allowing users to speed up render times beyond what local machines can achieve. Average costs for using Super Renders Farm vary based on usage and computing power needs. The entry-level plan starts at $0.15 (€0.14, £0.12) per CPU core hour for up to 4 cores and 8GB of RAM. For 20 monthly rendering hours on this starter plan, estimated costs fall $10 (€9, £8) to $15 (€14, £13). More advanced configurations with increased cores/GPUs range up to $2.49 (€2.31, £2.06) per hour. The primary computing plan uses 4 CPU cores and 8GB of RAM, which is optimal for individuals and small firms.
Super Renders Farm users typically render 3-4 times faster than comparable local machines. More complex VR/animation projects can experience a 6- 8x speedier turnaround by leveraging additional cloud computing horsepower. Super Renders Farm’s best value plan is likely the medium GPU configuration starting at $1.15 (€1.07, £0.95) per hour. The balance of 8 GPU cores and 32GB of RAM manages demanding renders efficiently at accessible rates compared to advanced plans. Key advantages include significantly faster rendering times through scalable computing resources, reasonable pay-as-you-go costs without commitments, high reliability/uptime for global server infrastructure, intuitive user interfaces across platforms, and top-notch technical support.
Disadvantages include potentially high costs accumulating for heavy rendering usage, moderately steep learning curves, and all data storage/transfer costs falling onto users. Considering critical architecture visualization needs, ArchitectureLab recommends Super Renders Farm for its optimal speed, flexibility, and value blend. From boutique firms to large practices, the service addresses rendering pain points with powerfully simple solutions. Intuitive apps and submission flows also demonstrate attention to user experience.
4. Garage Farm
Garage Farm is a cloud-based rendering service providing high-performance hardware and architectural visualization software. Their rendering farm uses the latest CPUs and GPUs to provide fast render times at an affordable price. Garage Farm offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs, from essential to advanced rendering capabilities. The costs for garage farm rendering services vary depending on the plan, but on average, the basic plan starts at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per GPU hour. More advanced plans with faster hardware can cost up to $0.90 (€0.77, £0.68) per GPU hour. There are also one-time setup fees for some plans. The basic rendering plan from Garage Farm uses mid-range GPUs like NVIDIA RTX 2070 and includes 5 GPU hours per month. This entry-level plan suits more miniature scenes and projects requiring basic rendering capabilities.
Standard render times using Garage Farm can vary substantially depending on the complexity of the scenes. Still, as a benchmark, their mid-range GPUs can render a fully detailed architectural scene at 1080p resolution in 2-3 hours. The best value plan from Garage Farm that balances performance and affordable pricing is the Power plan at $0.45 (€0.39, £0.34) per GPU hour. This plan utilizes new RTX 3080 GPUs, significantly boosting rendering power over lower-tier hardware. Compared to upgrading to the Advanced plan at almost double the cost per hour, the Power plan is ideal for most users.
There are several advantages to using the Garage Farm rendering service. It saves architects the expense of investing in their high-end hardware. Garage Farm also handles software, updates, maintenance, and other IT management tasks as part of the subscription. Transferring files is easy with their optimized asset management system. A downside to Garage Farm is that monthly plans can become costly if rendering needs increase steadily. Hybrid local and cloud rendering is not feasible with their system. Though they have suitable redundancy measures, file transfer speeds vary depending on internet connectivity. Support response times can be slow during peak periods as well. ArchitectureLab recommends Garage Farm as a reliable, high-value cloud rendering choice for architectural visualization.
5. Megarender Cloud Render Farm
Megarender Cloud Render Farm is a flexible cloud-based rendering solution explicitly developed for architecture and design projects. Their render farm infrastructure leverages hundreds of GPU cores to provide fast rendering times for CGI and VR content creation. Megarender offers simple monthly subscriptions rather than complex hourly billing. The average cost for Megarender Cloud Render Farm starts from $99 (€86, £75) per month. They offer plans based on the number of renders required rather than GPU hours. The entry-level plan allows 15 final frame renders per month. Upgrading to 50 renders per month is $249 (€216, £190), while their unlimited plan is $399 (€346, £304). The primary computing power plan from Megarender Cloud Render Farm includes 1 GPU for every five final frame renders in the monthly quota. In the entry-level 15 renders per month plan, users can access 3 GPUs to generate jobs. These are mid-range RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT GPUs capable of 1080p resolution.
Average render times using Megarender Cloud Render Farm can vary significantly depending on scene complexity. As a benchmark, their base GPUs can render a detailed architectural visualization at 2560 x 1440 resolution in 1.5 hours. Megarender’s render nodes are optimized for speed, mitigating some of the impact of slower hardware on basic plans. The plan for fifty monthly renders from Megarender Cloud Render Farm provides the best balance. At $249 (€216, £190) monthly, users can leverage 10 GPUs for renders. This computing power can handle complex scenes at high resolution without excessive time requirements. Paying almost double for unlimited renders is overkill for most. The critical advantages of Megarender Cloud Render Farm are that it does not require complex hourly billing to administer, it offers unlimited remote storage for assets, and it offers free render manager software for submitting jobs. Transferring files is straightforward with its intuitive interface.
Megarender Cloud Render Farm’s downsides relate primarily to the limitations of lower-tier plans. Support response times can lag slightly during peak usage, too. File transfer speeds depend on internet connectivity, though they have an impressively resilient internal network backbone. For architects and designers needing an approachable cloud rendering solution that simplifies management, ArchitectureLab recommends the capabilities and transparency Megarender Cloud Render Farm offers. Their mid-range plans provide the right blend of volume rendering for demanding projects without hitting bottlenecks or requiring micro-budgeting of GPU hours.
6. Render Rocket
Render Rocket is a cloud rendering solution built specifically to meet the demands of architectural visualization with scalable GPU power and built-in project collaboration. Their farm infrastructure includes thousands of GPU cores leveraging the latest NVIDIA RTX technology for optimal rendering performance. Pricing is simple with Render Rocket, starting at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per minute per GPU with no hidden fees. For the typical entry-level plan with three NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPUs, rendering an average detailed scene at 1080p takes 90 minutes. So the average cost would be $24.30 (€21.06, £18.54) per scene render. The primary computing power plan offered by Render Rocket utilizes three NVIDIA RTX 2070 GPUs, providing adequate performance for standard scene sizes at 1080p resolution while keeping costs down.
Render times using Render Rocket can vary depending on scene complexity, but their cloud software optimization and new GPU hardware allow them to lead the industry for speed. For example, a fully detailed architectural rendering at 1440p resolution renders in an average of 1.5 hours on three RTX 3080 GPUs. The power plan from Render Rocket hits the best balance. For $0.28 (€0.24, £0.21) per GPU minute across six RTX 3070 GPUs, it doubles the rendering power over entry plans without the steep price hike of upgrading further. For perspective, that handles a complex 4K scene in around two hours.
Key advantages of using Render Rocket include an easy-to-use interface for submitting and monitoring jobs, flexible scaling during periods of high demand, and geometry handling optimizations that minimize costly data transfer times. The downsides of Render Rocket relate primarily to the pay-per-minute pricing model that can add up quickly, especially when rendering animations. IT management of software GPUs, troubleshooting problems, and maintenance are also Render Rocket’s responsibility rather than being transparent. Hands-off infrastructure, intelligent built-in collaboration, and active customer support justify the premium price tag. Render Rocket earns ArchitectureLab’s strong recommendation.
7. 3S Cloud Render Farm
3S Cloud Render Farm is a flexible, on-demand rendering solution built specifically for architecture, design, and visual effects projects with plugins for all popular 3D software. Pricing for 3S Cloud Render Farm starts at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per core hour for CPU rendering, while basic GPU rendering begins at $0.19 (€0.17, £0.14) per core hour. Average rendering jobs with moderate scene complexity generally require 100-300 core hours on their standard hardware, putting typical costs in the $20 (€17, £13) to $50 (€43, £34) range per render. The entry-level computing power plan offered by 3S Cloud Render Farm allots 6 CPU cores, adequate for basic 3D testing and non-photorealistic rendering at low resolutions. Upgrading to add-on GPUs or higher-spec CPUs substantially cuts rendering times by simultaneously distributing processing across more cores.
Average render times on 3S Cloud Render Farm can vary greatly depending on scene size and settings, but their well-optimized software interface and latest hardware components allow respectable speeds. For example, a detailed 1080p architectural render is completed in an average of 90 minutes using 36 standard CPU cores. Analyzing 3S Cloud Render Farm’s plans, their Gold GPU configuration at $0.29 (€0.25, £0.19) per core hour offers the optimal balance for architecture projects. Critical advantages of 3S Cloud Render Farm include very granular control over core allocation for cost management, specialized architecture plugins for simplified workflows, and excellent 24/7 customer support response times. Their customizable distributed network also easily scales up for large rendering batches.
The downsides of 3S Cloud Render Farm relate primarily to the complexity of managing individual CPU/GPU core allotments with little guidance. Choosing suitable hardware specifications and contingencies for failure requires some technical expertise upfront. The pay-per-hour model can also quickly become costly for animation projects. For most architectural visualization needs, 3S Cloud Render Farm provides an unmatched combination of rendering power flexibility, cost transparency, and strong technical support to handle any troubleshooting. Hands-on render core controls make it easy to optimize spending. For these reasons, ArchitectureLab recommends 3S as a top choice.
8. RenderNation
RenderNation is one of the longest-running cloud rendering services tailored specifically for architecture and design visualization needs. RenderNation has leveraged a global farm of thousands of GPU/CPU cores for over a decade to provide fast, secure rendering through an easy-to-use online interface. Average costs for RenderNation start at $29 (€25, £22) per final frame for standard definition renders on entry-level hardware. Stepping up to physically-based 1080p rendering on mid-range GPUs is. $69 (€60, £52) per final frame. An animation of 25 frames at those specs would be $1,725 (€1,495, £1,310). The basic computing power plan offered by RenderNation utilizes up to 4 standard CPU cores, best suited for very simple design draft renders without final materials or post-processing. Upgrading plans with more GPU hardware substantially cut render times by allowing scene complexity without compromising quality.
Typical render times on RenderNation range from 1-8 hours for fully detailed architectural visualizations at 2560×1440 resolution, depending on the specs selected. Their longstanding infrastructure optimizations, custom software, and stringent hardware maintenance processes allow them to remain very competitive in speed. When analyzing value, RenderNation’s Professional 1080p GPU plan hits the best balance at $79 (€69, £60) per final frame rendered. With access to up to 32 high-end GPU cores tailored specifically to visualize complex lighting simulations, it can handle large CAD imports efficiently.
Advantages of using RenderNation include rock-solid uptime and support response times, a very intuitive customer interface, and incredible detail dedicated to 3D visualization-specific hardware needs. Scene asset management and built-in revision handling also help streamline collaboration. The downsides relate mainly to the pay-per-final-frame pricing, which can limit iterative changes and need more granular control over technical configurations that more advanced users may require. As one of the longest-running services, Legacy features can feel outdated. RenderNation brings proven expertise in explicitly calibrating hardware and software optimized for this industry. For balanced costs and capabilities tailored to this vertical, ArchitectureLab recommends the reliability of RenderNation.
9. SummuS Render
SummuS Render is a cloud rendering provider focused on architecture, engineering, and construction visualization needs. For over 15 years, SummuS has offered scalable, secure access to a specialized GPU farm infrastructure tailored for 3D animation and CAD rendering, accessible through a polished web interface. Average SummuS costs $39 (€34, £30) per final frame for standard animation projects rendered in 1080p resolution. Stepping up to high-quality cinematic 4K resolution with advanced lighting effects is $99 (€86, £75) per final frame. A 100-frame project at 4K would cost roughly $9,900 (€8,600, £7,500). The primary computing power plan offered by SummuS allotts up to 3 mid-range GPUs for standard definition draft renders. This allows verification of materials and essential lighting at a low render cost. Upgrading to more GPU resources per frame substantially improves render times for complex 4K animations.
Typical render times on SummuS range from 1-4 hours per final frame for high-quality 4K architectural animations with detailed textures and effects. Their customized software, niche hardware focus, and stringent quality control processes provide incredible optimization specifically for AEC. When analyzing value, the SummuS 4K Production plan hits the optimal balance at $99 (€86, £75) per final 4K frame. Critical advantages of SummuS include a rock-solid uptime track record, highly tailored customer support for the AEC industry, intuitive built-in project collaboration tools, and extensive visualization-specific hardware calibrated to optimize cost predictability. The downsides relate mainly to the pay-per-final-frame pricing model, which discourages iterative experimentation and provides less flexibility in technical configurations than general-purpose services. ArchitectureLab recommends SummuS as a specialized top choice for balanced costs translated to clear deliverables.
10. Ranch Computing
Ranch Computing is a well-established cloud rendering provider catering to architecture visualization needs for over 12 years. Average costs for Ranch Computing start at $39 (€34, £30) per processing hour for entry-level GPU resources that handle primary design draft renders. Stepping up to advanced GPUs tailored for complex CAD imports and physics simulations averages $159 (€138, £121) per processing hour. The primary computing power plan offered by Ranch Computing provides four entry-level GPUs adequate for straightforward visualization needs like testing materials and lighting at low resolutions without final post-processing. Upgrading to more advanced GPU/CPU allotments substantially cuts render times. Typical render times on Ranch Computing range widely depending on assets’ complexity but average 1-6 hours for highly detailed architectural visualizations rendered at 4K resolution. Their infrastructure partnerships with industry hardware leaders and internal engineering resources allow continual optimization.
Ranch Computing’s plan to provide 8 high-end GPUs hits the optimal balance at $95 (€83, £73) per processing hour. With access to specialized GPUs designed for complex CAD and geometry computations, it handles heavy projects efficiently at a fair price. Key advantages offered by Ranch Computing include excellent uptime records, fast decentralized storage for transferring large project files, US-based support teams, and customizable configurations to tweak plans for specialized needs. The downsides relate mainly to the pay-per-hour pricing model, which provides less predictable total budgets and less specialized architecture-focused hardware than niche providers. The web interface is also quite plain and dated-looking. Ranch Computing provides proven technical expertise tailored to demanding 3D graphics and physics computations. ArchitectureLab recommends Ranch Computing as a top choice for balanced access to versatile high-end infrastructure.
11. AWS
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is the globally dominant cloud computing platform many use as an on-demand rendering farm infrastructure. AWS allows configurable access to thousands of high-performance GPU and CPU cores for visualization needs through advanced web interfaces. Average costs on AWS vary tremendously based on usage and hardware selected from their vast suite of product options. An entry-level EC2 GPU renders instance costs $0.77 (€0.67, £0.59) per hour. Stepping up to advanced computing-optimized instances with multiple GPUs can cost up to $3.06 (€2.66, £2.34) per hour per GPU.
The primary computing plan on AWS utilizes their G4dn entry-level GPU instance featuring one NVIDIA T4 Tensor Core GPU and 2 vCPUs, which are great for basic rendering tests. For professional visualization, the CG5 instance with dual NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPUs better handles complex assets—typical render times on AWS range based on assets and product configurations selected. A detailed architectural scene at 2560 x 1600 resolution is rendered in an average of 1.5 hours using an EC2 G4dn instance. Upgrading to a CG5 instance cuts that time by 35% for quicker turnaround.
AWS EC2 G4ad instance hits the optimal balance, providing one powerful NVIDIA A40 GPU for $1.50 (€1.30, £1.14) per hour. This handles demanding CAD models and 8K video editing workloads very efficiently at a fair price point. Advantages of AWS include incredible infrastructure uptime and reliability, access to investible cutting-edge hardware suites, highly configurable allocation controls to optimize spending, and architectural solid visualization-focused partnerships. The downsides relate mainly to the overwhelming complexity of the portfolio, making cost optimization difficult without technical expertise. The pay-per-usage model can also lead budgets to balloon without close monitoring and constraints. AWS provides proven expertise in tailoring high-performance infrastructure specifically for demanding visualization workloads. ArchitectureLab recommends AWS for unmatched global reliability on a massive scale.
12. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers. It provides software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service. It supports many programming languages, tools, and frameworks, including Microsoft-specific and third-party software and systems. The cost of Microsoft Azure varies significantly depending on usage and services utilized, but on average, for a small to medium-sized business, it costs $60-100 (€55-90, £45-75) per month. The primary computing power plan from Microsoft Azure is the B1S Burstable VM plan, which offers 1 vCPU and 1 GiB memory for around $7 (€6, £5) per month. This provides basic entry-level server capabilities for developing and testing simple cloud-based applications and services.
Rendering times on Microsoft Azure also depend significantly on the processing power and GPU instances leveraged. Using top-tier NVv4 Series VMs optimized for rendering, CUDA accelerated ray tracing and AI inference workloads can decrease rendering times versus regular virtual machines. Rendering farms running many GPU virtual machines in parallel see high-speed rendering that scales to workload sizes. The best value computing plan for generating on Azure for small teams is the NV6 Promo Spec VM, which provides six vCPUs, 56 GiB memory, and 1 NVIDIA M60 GPU for $200 (€185, £150) per month. With 8 VMs in a render farm, the monthly price is $1,600 (€1,480, £1,200), delivering strong rendering performance for lower costs than many competing solutions.
Some advantages of Microsoft Azure for rendering include global infrastructure for improved performance, automated scaling capabilities to meet spikes in rendering demands, and access to Vega GPU instances for accelerating Architectural visualization workloads. The platform also provides enterprise-level security compliance options for handling sensitive design data. A few disadvantages of Azure include vendor lock-in, as applications and services deployed on Azure can be more challenging to migrate off the platform in the future. Transferring large design and asset data from Azure to other systems increases data egress charges that can grow substantially for active rendering pipelines moving TBs of data. Azure is a top choice rendering farm service because of its rapid provisioning of GPU-powered VMs for flexing rendering capacity, advanced rendering-specific VM families purpose-built for CUDA/Ray Tracing workloads, and hybrid cloud capabilities allowing on-premises render queue integration with Azure cloud resources.
13. Fox Render Farm
Fox Render Farm is a cloud-based rendering service from Fox Renderfarm that provides GPU and CPU-based rendering for animation, VFX, and architecture visualization. They offer on-demand access to rendering nodes without significant capital investments in hardware. The cost of Fox Render Farm depends on the rendering hardware configured, but on average, for architecture visualization, it Is $1.20 (€1.10, £0.90) per GPU hour. A small 10-node GPU render farm running for 20 hours a project would cost $240 (€220, £180). Faster GPUs and more render nodes mean speedier render times and higher costs.
The primary computing power unit on Fox Render Farm is a 4 core CPU node capable of handling multiple rendering tasks in parallel. This costs $0.65 (€0.60, £0.50) per hour per 4 core node allocated. GPU-powered nodes start at a single GPU but can be clustered for larger projects. Rendering times vary based on assets, scene complexity, and software environments. A typical architect-designed model rendered at 2K resolution averages 20-40 mins per frame on a Mid-Range GPU like the NVIDIA RTX 2080. They were doubling GPUs processing the same workload cuts this time in half. The best value pricing plan for money is clustering 4 NVIDIA RTX 6000 GPUs per node. At $3.00 (€2.75, £2.25) per hour, it delivers good rendering performance for architecture workloads without becoming too costly for smaller firms.
Some advantages of Fox Render Farm are the automatic scaling of rendering nodes to meet workload demands, supporting all major CG software with consistent configurations, and integrated storage for transferring significant assets and simulation data. It also has built-in support and onboarding. A couple of disadvantages are it lacks native support for specific niche architectural visualization plug-ins that would need to be manually installed. Fox Render Farm is an excellent choice for automating scalable rendering with cloud infrastructure without upfront capital investment. It provides flexible access to test different hardware performance targets to balance each project’s budget and render times. Fox Render Farm specializes in CG pipelines and has tailored architectural visualization capabilities.
14. VSO Cloud
VSO Cloud is a rendering service that allows architects, designers, and visualizers to access on-demand GPU and CPU power for rendering projects. They offer a web-based platform to submit rendering jobs without purchasing and maintaining expensive hardware. Pricing for VSO Cloud varies based on the computing configuration selected, but an average project with standard settings costs $20 (€18, £15) to $50 (€45, £38) per final frame rendered. They offer pay-as-you-go pricing with no long-term commitments. The primary computing power plan from VSO Cloud provides 1 GPU with 12 GB VRAM and 4 CPU cores. This entry-level configuration allows more miniature scenes and projects to be rendered at reasonable speeds without high costs.
Average render times with VSO Cloud range from minutes to hours. Multiple GPUs can dramatically speed up render times, making completion times customizable to budget and priorities. Their online platform provides real-time rendering progress updates so users can estimate finish times. The best value pricing plan for most architectural visualization needs is a configuration with 2-3 high-end GPUs like Nvidia RTX 3090s with 24 GB VRAM each. At $30 (€27, £23) per final frame provides a good balance of speed and affordability for most projects. Upgrading to more GPUs speeds up rendering significantly but at much higher costs.
Critical advantages of VSO Cloud include no upfront hardware investment, an accessible web submission process, scalable GPU power on-demand, and support for all significant rendering engines like V-Ray, Corona, and Octane. Disadvantages include higher long-term costs compared to owning hardware, reliance on internet connectivity speeds for transfers, pricier rates for large complex jobs, and lack of complete local control during rendering. Support response times can sometimes be slow as well. ArchitectureLab recommends VSO Cloud for most architectural visualization firms due to its flexible, scalable nature and affordable rates. Investing in local GPU farm hardware could save money over time for larger offices with frequent rendering needs versus continually paying per rendered frame in the cloud.
15. AnimaRender
AnimaRender is a distributed cloud rendering service tailored for architecture and product visualization. They leverage a global network of computers to provide on-demand GPU and CPU rendering power without teams needing to invest in hardware or software. Average project pricing through AnimaRender is $15 (€14, £12) to $25 (€23, £20) per final frame for standard configurations. Costs scale up for more complex jobs needing greater computing power but remain competitive. The primary computing plan from AnimaRender provides a single Nvidia RTX 2080 GPU with 8 GB VRAM and a 6-core CPU. This entry-level option works well for more miniature scenes, but upgrade options are available if faster render times are needed.
AnimaRender average render times range from less than an hour for essential scenes to 20+ hours for complex projects. AnimaRender gives real-time progress updates and estimated completion times through its web dashboard. Using multiple pooled GPUs can dramatically speed up render times for larger jobs. The best value pricing plan AnimaRender offers is access to instances with dual RTX 3090 GPUs, starting at $45 (€41, £35) per final frame. This balance of GPU muscle versus price point is optimal for most architectural visualization scenes. Further upgrades with more GPUs are available but come at higher hourly costs.
Critical advantages of AnimaRender include scalable rendering power, support for all major engines, an optimized pricing model for Arch viz, easy web submission, encrypted data transfer, and the fact that it does not need any software or hardware investments. Disadvantages compared to owning a local render farm are higher long-term costs, reliance on internet speeds for file transfers, less control over the rendering process, hardware limitations on highly complex scenes, and support response lags. ArchitectureLab recommends checking out AnimaRender, especially for smaller architecture studios. Their pay-per-use pricing, optimized architecture configs, and robust GPU network can save teams time and money over purchasing and maintaining their rendering hardware on-premises. Larger offices may still benefit from owning their render farm long-term, but AnimaRender makes cloud rendering affordable at all scales.
16. TurboRender
TurboRender is a large-scale cloud rendering service focused on architecture, product design, and engineering sectors. They leverage thousands of GPUs and CPUs on their private cluster to provide fast, secure cloud rendering without teams needing equipment. Most standard architectural viz jobs cost $15 (€14, £12) per frame. Volume discounts are available. The basic computing plan offers 1 Nvidia RTX 6000 GPU with 24GB VRAM and 6 CPU cores. This renders essential scenes, but those needing faster turnaround would benefit from upgrading to multi-GPU instances that dramatically cut render times.
Average render times vary widely based on priorities set and computing power allocated but typically fall between 1 hour to 20+ hours from submission. TurboRender provides real-time progress monitoring so users can better estimate completion times. The best balance of value for money is likely their plan offering 2x Nvidia A40 GPUs starting at $25 (€23, £20) per final frame. With 48GB of VRAM split across two high-end GPUs, it quickly works the most complex arch viz scenes.
Critical advantages of TurboRender are their private global network with thousands of GPU/CPUs tailored for architecture, scalable computing tiers, integrated security, and encryption measures, support for all engines, and the fact that they do not need any hardware investment. The downsides are less control than a local render farm, entirely relying on internet connectivity speeds, hardware limitations on highly complex jobs, slightly pricier rendering costs long-term, and inconsistent support response times. ArchitectureLab recommends checking out TurboRender, especially for small and mid-sized architecture studios without render farms. Their optimized architecture configurations, reliable global infrastructure, and affordable per-use pricing model make them a great fit to augment most teams’ workflows. Larger offices may benefit more from owning hardware, but TurboRender brings scalable flexibility.
17. Render Pool
Render Pool is a cloud-based render farm that provides on-demand access to thousands of CPUs and GPUs for architects to accelerate rendering. It offers pay-as-you-go pricing, allowing architects to pay only for the computing power and time used without any long-term commitments or subscriptions. The average cost of using Render Pool can vary greatly depending on the hardware configuration selected, time used on the farm, and additional rendering tools enabled. For example, CPU-based rendering costs $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07) per hour to $0.89 (€0.79, £0.70) per hour. GPU-accelerated rendering ranges from $0.59 (€0.53, £0.46) per hour to $7.99 (€7.19, £6.30) per hour, providing excellent flexibility based on rendering needs and budgets. The primary computing power plan offered by Render Pool utilizes 4 CPU cores without hyperthreading. This provides adequate performance for most architectural projects while keeping costs low at $0.09 (€0.08, £0.07)per hour.
Standard rendering times using Render Pool typically range from minutes to hours based on factors like scene complexity and final output resolution. Very complex scenes could take 15+ hours for the last 4K renders. Render Pool utilizes intelligent scheduling to provide reliably fast rendering, getting most projects done overnight or within 24 hours. Urgent renders can be expedited for a rush fee to get results even quicker. For architects focused on maximizing value, the best Render Pool pricing plan offers 8 CPU cores with 16 threads for $0.39 (€0.35, £0.31) per hour. This strikes a balance between low hourly costs and providing enough performance to handle demanding architectural models with complex materials and lighting setups. The ability to add GPU power gives flexibility when ultimate rendering speed is paramount as well.
Critical advantages of Render Pool include affordable pricing options that scale to projects of any size, flexible access to thousands of computing cores, allowing work to be completed rapidly, and built-in rendering tools/software like cloud storage, asset libraries, and remote desktop access that speed up workflow. Intuitive management and monitoring keep. Potential disadvantages relate mainly to the initial setup effort required to get scenes prepped and uploaded for ideal rendering performance, though Render Pool offers excellent documentation and technical support. Render Pool delivers an unmatched combination of rendering power, speed, flexibility, and value explicitly tailored for ArchitecturalLab needs. The pay-as-you-go pricing scales affordably while providing access to compute resources beyond a single desktop workstation – making it an easy recommendation for solo architects up to large studios aiming to elevate visual quality and productivity.
18. Xesktop
Xesktop provides scalable cloud-based rendering tailored for architecture visualization by leveraging a private farm of hundreds of GPUs/CPUs. They aim to give teams flexible on-demand power without infrastructure investments. Most common arch viz setups fall between $15 (€14, £12) to $18 (€16, £14) per frame rendered. The primary computing plan offers one Nvidia RTX 6000 GPU with 24 GB VRAM and 6 CPU cores. This entry-level node works for essential scenes, but upgrades quickly accelerate render times for more complex visuals. Average render completion ranges from under 1 hour for more straightforward scenes to over 48 hours for rigid frames.
The best value is $19 (€17, £15) per frame for dual Nvidia A40 instances. With 48 GB VRAM and greater GPU power, it handles demanding architectural visualizations while maximizing price efficiency. Significant advantages are specialized architecture configurations, an integrated platform for all major engines, encrypted rendering, flexible scaling to handle any job, and instant access without buying hardware. The most significant downsides compared to owning a local render farm are less control, total reliance on internet connectivity, slightly higher long-term costs, inconsistencies in support response, and limitations in handling highly complex scenes. ArchitectureLab recommends Xesktop for most visualization firms that haven’t yet invested in render farm infrastructure. The ability to scale power-on-demand makes achieving faster, high-quality renders easier and more affordable. Larger offices may still prefer owning hardware, but Xesktop brings flexibility.
What features should you consider when choosing a rendering farm for architecture projects?
Listed below are the features to consider when choosing a rendering farm for architecture projects:
- Speed: The foremost consideration is the rendering speed of the farm. A rendering farm that offers high-performance computing resources can significantly reduce the time required to complete renders. This is crucial for meeting project deadlines and enhancing productivity. Look for farms that utilize the latest technology and have a proven track record of quick turnaround times, especially for complex architectural renders that demand substantial computational power.
- Ease of Usage: A user-friendly interface and straightforward workflow are vital for an efficient rendering farm. It should allow architects and designers to upload projects easily, manage their settings, and initiate renders without extensive technical knowledge. Farms that offer plugins for direct integration with popular architectural design software streamline the rendering process, making it more accessible to users of all skill levels.
- Scalability: Scalability is essential to accommodate projects of varying sizes and complexities. A scalable rendering farm can allocate more resources to handle larger projects efficiently or manage multiple projects simultaneously. This flexibility ensures that architects can rely on the rendering service for various projects, from small-scale designs to large, detailed architectural visualizations.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is critical, especially when dealing with tight deadlines and complex projects. A rendering farm that offers 24/7 support through multiple channels, including live chat, email, and phone, provides reassurance. Look for services with a reputation for responsive and helpful support, capable of resolving technical issues quickly and providing guidance throughout the rendering process.
- Price: Cost-effectiveness is a significant factor in choosing a rendering farm. Competitive pricing, transparent billing, and flexible payment options, such as pay-per-use or subscription models, cater to different budgetary requirements. Comparing prices and understanding the cost structure is essential to ensure the service provides value without compromising quality or speed.
- Software Compatibility: Compatibility with a wide range of architectural design and rendering software ensures a smooth workflow. A rendering farm should support the latest versions of popular applications like Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, and 3ds Max, along with rendering engines such as V-Ray, Corona, and Lumion. This compatibility allows architects to cause projects directly from their preferred design tools.
- Security: Security measures are paramount to protect sensitive architectural data. Rendering farms should employ robust security protocols, including data encryption, secure file transfer methods, and confidentiality agreements, to safeguard project files and client information. Ensuring the farm complies with industry-standard security practices minimizes the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
How do rendering farms work?
Rendering or render farms are specialized computer setups that collectively process and generate high-resolution images and animations. Firstly, a render farm consists of a network of high-performance computers, known as nodes, which work in parallel to share the computational load of rendering. Each node is equipped with powerful processors and, often, high-end graphics cards optimized for rendering tasks. Secondly, a render farm’s operation begins with the rendering task’s distribution. A queue manager manages this process or causes manager software, which orchestrates the distribution of functions, monitors progress and collects the finished frames. Thirdly, once the nodes receive their assigned tasks, they begin rendering. The render farm allows for simultaneous rendering of multiple frames, significantly reducing the time required to complete the project. Fourthly, the render manager compiles the results after the nodes have rendered their assigned frames. The software ensures that the frames are assembled in the correct sequence and that the final output is consistent and error-free. Lastly, render farms can be set up locally as an in-house solution or accessed remotely through cloud-based rendering services.
What are the advantages of using render farms in architecture?
Listed below are the advantages of using render farms in architecture:
- Scalability Advantage: One primary advantage of using render farms is their scalability, enabling architects to handle projects of any size or complexity without hardware limitations. This scalability ensures that rendering tasks, from simple models to intricate, detailed environments, can be completed efficiently. Architects can thus confidently undertake larger and more complex projects, knowing that rendering capacity can be easily adjusted to meet their needs.
- Time-Saving Advantage: Render farms offer a significant time-saving advantage by drastically reducing rendering times. This acceleration allows architects to iterate more freely, experimenting with different design options and refining visuals without the constraints of lengthy render times. The ability to produce quick renders is precious in the fast-paced architecture industry, where meeting deadlines and making timely revisions can make a difference in client satisfaction and project success.
- Cost-Effectiveness Advantage: The cost-effectiveness of render farms is another substantial advantage. Architecture firms can avoid the hefty investment in high-performance computing systems required for rendering. Pay-per-use models typical of render farms mean costs directly related to rendering needs, offering financial flexibility and allowing even small firms or independent architects to access high-quality rendering capabilities without significant upfront investments.
- High-Quality Output Advantage: Render farms enable the production of high-quality visualizations, an advantage crucial for client presentations, competitions, and marketing. A render farm’s powerful computational resources can handle advanced rendering techniques and high-resolution outputs that might be unattainable on standard desktop computers.
- Focus on Core Competencies: An advantage of using render farms is the ability for architects to focus on their core competencies. Outsourcing the computationally intensive rendering process frees architects to concentrate on design, client relations, and project management. This division of labor optimizes workflow, reduces stress on the architectural team, and ensures that professionals can dedicate their time and energy to what they do best, leading to higher-quality projects and more innovative designs.
What are the disadvantages of using render farms in architecture?
Listed below are the disadvantages of using render farms in architecture:
- Cost Overheads: One notable disadvantage of rendering farms is the potential for high cost, especially for small firms or individual architects. The expense associated with render farms can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the projects and the required rendering time. For smaller projects or those with tight budgets, the cost of using a render farm might only sometimes justify the benefits, making it crucial to evaluate the financial impact carefully.
- Data Security Concerns: Entrusting sensitive architectural designs to a third-party render farm introduces data security risks. The transmission and storage of project files on external servers bear the risk of unauthorized access or breaches. Although reputable render farms employ stringent security measures, the possibility of data compromise remains a concern, necessitating a thorough vetting of the provider’s security protocols.
- Dependence on Internet Connectivity: Render farms require reliable and fast Internet connections to upload project files and download rendered images or animations. This reliance on internet connectivity can be a significant disadvantage in regions with poor service, potentially leading to delays and inefficiencies in the rendering process. The time and bandwidth needed to transfer large files can also add to the project’s overall timeline.
- Limited Control and Flexibility: Architects may face limitations in controlling the rendering process. The farm may not fully support specific hardware or software preferences, custom settings, and unique rendering techniques, leading to a lack of flexibility and potential compromises in the final output’s quality or fidelity to the original design intent.
- Integration and Learning Curve: Incorporating render farms into an existing workflow can present a learning curve and require adjustments to project management practices. Understanding how to effectively prepare and manage files for rendering, communicate with the farm’s support team, and integrate the rendered outputs into the project can require time and effort, potentially disrupting established workflows until fully adapted.
What are the top architecture software for architects?
Listed below are the best architecture software for architects:
- Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop, developed by Adobe Systems, is one of the best architecture software. Launched in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll, it has become the industry standard for graphic design and image manipulation. It offers pixel-based editing in multiple layers and advanced features like non-destructive editing and compositing. Architects and designers extensively use Photoshop to modify images, integrate them into workflows, and enhance architectural renderings.
- SketchUp: SketchUp, a top choice for architects, is one of the best architecture software developed by Trimble Inc. Acquired from Google in 2012, it has become crucial in architecture and construction. SketchUp offers tools for 3D modeling, 2D drawings, and construction documents. The software’s user-friendly interface and extensive capabilities make it popular among architects, designers, and engineers.
- AutoCAD: AutoCAD, by Autodesk, is one of the best architecture software for designers in 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD). The software enables precise 2D and 3D model creation and drafting of construction documentation. AutoCAD’s comprehensive features, such as designing with exact coordinates and area calculations, and its support for web and mobile applications make it valuable for designers’ and architects’ inefficient project communication and documentation.
- Solidworks: SOLIDWORKS, developed by Dassault Systèmes, is one of the best architecture software in CAD and CAE software. Engineers and designers use it globally to provide documentation for parts, assemblies, and drawings. It offers tools for engineering tasks like stress analysis and has licensing options catering to different needs. Architects and designers find SOLIDWORKS helpful for 3D modeling, visualization, and collaboration.
- 3ds Max – Designers: Autodesk 3ds Max, a professional 3D graphics program, is one of the best architecture software animations, models, and images. 3ds Max is essential in architectural visualization and is used by architects to create detailed 3D models and animations. 3ds Max offers various licensing options and supports output formats like FBX and OBJ. Its advantages include high-quality rendering and a user-friendly interface, making it a valuable asset for designers in visualization projects.
