KeyShot releases KeyShot Studio 2026.1
KeyShot has released KeyShot Studio 2026.1, the latest version of the renderer.
For entertainment work, the release adds support for OpenPBR materials in imported USD files, a new Gallery window for browsing renders, and updates to the animation toolset.
AI Shots, the software’s generative AI toolset, gets a new Edit Mode.
An intuitive ray tracing renderer for visualization and portfolio work
KeyShot Studio is a standalone CPU and GPU-based ray tracing renderer with integration plugins for a range of popular DCC and CAD applications.
It is intended to enable non-specialist artists to create photorealistic renders of imported 3D models, and also includes simple technical animation capabilities.
Although it is used by entertainment artists to create portfolio renders, having previously been the de facto third-party renderer for ZBrush, its key market is product visualization.
KeyShot Studio 2026.1: support for OpenPBR materials in imported USD files
For entertainment work, one interesting change in KeyShot Studio 2026.1 is support for OpenPBR materials in imported USD files.
OpenPBR support in other file types was introduced in the previous release.
New Edit Mode for the generative AI tools
AI Shots, the new generative AI tools introduced in KeyShot 2025.2 have also been updated, adding the option to edit images that have already been generated.
The new Edit Mode makes it possible to inpaint an image, replace it entirely, or to upscale it.
AI Shots’ underlying AI model has also been switched from FLUX.1 Schnell to a modified version of Alibaba’s Qwen AI.
New animation features
Changes to KeyShot’s animation toolset – used mainly for demo animations of products – include the option to set up multiple custom pivot points for parts of the object being animated.
A new ‘per keyframe’ toggle displays keyframes in the software’s Curve Editor.
New rendering features
The release also introduces a new Gallery window, for browsing rendered files directly within KeyShot Studio.
The KeyShot Render Queue, required to use cloud rendering or KeyShot’s separate Network Rendering service, is now built into KeyShot Studio by default.
It is also now possible to render animations when working in headless mode.
Changes for CAD and BIM users
CAD and BIM artists also get support for importing IFC files, and a new script to export CAD data in CSV format.
Price and system requirements
KeyShot 2026.1 is available for Windows 10+, Windows Server 2019+ and macOS 11.7+.
Integration plugins are available for a range of DCC and CAD tools, including 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D, Maya and SketchUp.
The software is available rental-only. Subscriptions cost $1,299/year.
Read an overview of the new features in KeyShot Studio 2026.1 on Luxion’s blog
Read a full list of new features in KeyShot 2026.1 in the online release notes
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