Luxion releases KeyShot v11.3.
KeyShot by Luxion is a powerful and easy-to-use stand-alone rendering tool. Used by designers worldwide, it is suitable for use in a variety of industries. Known for creating detailed photorealistic images, it lets you adjust materials and lighting while seeing your changes in real time.
Luxion specializes in computer rendering and lighting simulations. KeyShot was the first stand-alone interactive ray tracing and global illumination program. As KeyShot supports a wide range of formats, it allows you to create high-quality visuals quickly and easily. KeyShot is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms
The 11.3 release is the third since the introduction of KeyShot 11 in February 2022. This highlights Luxion’s continued efforts to provide “the best 3D rendering software.”
KeyShot 11 introduced 3D Paint, CMF output, physics-based simulation and the new KeyShot Web Viewer. The new point release includes full native support for Apple silicon plus other new features to improve workflows.
Apple Silicon
Non-Apple users may be unfamiliar with Apple silicon. The term refers to the chips Apple makes that are replacing the Intel and AMD chips previously used in Apple computers and devices. Apple silicon is ARM-based technology that has lots of power and produces less heat. Apple has demonstrated that ARM-based processors are powerful and its benchmarks show the company’s silicon outperforming most PC laptop processors on the market.
“KeyShot Apple Silicon support brings up to 30% speed gains,” says the press release.
In the 11.2 release, KeyShot offered support for Apple silicon, but only in beta. This release moves out of beta, as 11.3 adds full Apple silicon support. If you have a newer Mac with Apple silicon, you will see a 15 percent to 30 percent performance gain in rendering and usability. Network rendering users will also enjoy the Apple silicon performance improvements.
Headless Rendering
Headless rendering (running without a user interface) was a new feature in KeyShot 11. This extends the Python scripting console, which is beneficial for high-volume jobs needing automation. Looking to produce thousands of images? This is what you need to look at.
Use the new 11.3 option to configure floating servers via the headless Network Rendering (NR) Manager.
The Web Viewer
By uploading scenes to KeyShot Cloud, you can use the KeyShot Web Viewer to share interactive scenes across browsers, desktops and mobile devices. The 11.2 release added Studio support and improved transparent materials with support for absorption, reflections and refractions. The 11.3 update brings a revamped interface, making product viewing faster (and easier). Load times are two to four times faster, depending on the browser and scene. The Web Viewer also now supports cameras and environment variations.
CMF Output
KeyShot 11 added CMF (color, material and finish) export. The published CMF document has an image with callouts and a material information table. The KeyShot CMF tool simplifies the process of creating what is commonly referred to as “tech packs.” You can use this feature to reduce manual work and lower the risk of (sometimes expensive) manufacturing mistakes.
KeyShot 11.3 adds the option of exporting output in PDF format as well as importing/exporting project-based CMF data to the material information manager.
What Else?
The new Merge Parts feature improves the Mesh Simplification tool by reducing scene size for a faster viewing experience.
“From product idea to product visual, in minutes,” promises KeyShot on its website. “KeyShot brings you real-time 3D rendering that displays results instantly and reduces the time to create realistic product visuals.”
