Chaos releases Enscape 4.2
Chaos has released Enscape 4.2, the new version of its real-time rendering software for architectural visualization.
The release extends the new Artistic Visual Modes system for applying readymade visual styles to images, and improves the visual quality of software ray tracing.
An intuitive real-time renderer for architectural design and CAD software
First released in 2015, Enscape has become one of the key tools in the architectural visualization market, reaching the top ten in the last CGarchitect rendering survey.
The software integrates with CAD and design tools including Rhino and SketchUp, letting users explore large architectural scenes in real time, either on screen or in VR.
Output is ray traced, and can be used for less demanding final-quality rendering, with the option to generate stills, animations, 360-degree panoramas or interactive scenes.
Its developer, also called Enscape, merged with V-Ray developer Chaos in 2022.
Enscape 4.2: updates to the new Artistic Visual Modes system
Enscape 4.2 is a smaller update than other recent releases – Chaos says that it is shifting to a ‘more dynamic’ release schedule – but it does build on two of the key changes in Enscape 4.1.
First, Enscape Impact, its accompanying building performance analysis plugin, is now officially out of beta.
Second – and more relevant to CG artists – the new Artistic Visual Modes system, which applies readymade visual styles to images, has been extended.
Changes include adjustable texture controls in Watercolor mode, and proper handling of transparent materials in Watercolor and Colored Pencil mode.
Better software ray tracing
The update also improves the visual quality of software ray tracing, adding support for multi-bounce global illumination and ray traced sun shadows.
There are still some limitations, particularly for sun shadows: find details in this blog post.
New features for Rhino, Vectorworks and Revit users
Application-specific changes include support for up to six clipping planes in Rhino, and for Clip Cubes in Vectorworks, both for rendering cutaway images of models.
Rhino users also get support for World Coordinate System (WCS) mapping for materials
Revit users get a new Graphics Override feature, for creating material and color overrides defined by Revit Filters in rendered output.
Pricing and system requirements
Enscape is compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS 12.6+. It integrates with Archicad 26+, Rhino 7+, SketchUp 2022+ and Vectorworks 2023+ on Windows and macOS, and with Revit 2022+ on Windows.
The software is available rental-only. Node-locked licences cost $84.90/month or $562.80/year; floating licences cost $958.80/year.
Read an overview of the new features in Enscape 4.2 on the product website
Read a list of new features in Enscape in the online release notes
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