Problem is … this still has the OLD, single (small) fan thermal cooling system, now coupled with a potentially even hotter CPU chip, not to mention the added load of a bigger GPU processor!

Looks like one more (probably the last) version of the old form factor iMac is on offer, with the new 10th generation Intel 10-core with a 3.8 GHz base clock speed and Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz, and AMD Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics w/ a 16GB option. On another subject, since we have corresponded before on our similar iMac upgrade dilemmas, have you seen the new iMac offerings (today)? I realize I did ask for too big a bite! I appreciate your considerate response! Maybe reduce it to people’s top 3 and see what floats to the top. VRay is a bigger and more expensive beast but those who know how to use it can produce some awesome results. Podium looks to be neatly integrated with SU and is appears to have a relatively gentle learning curve. The two I have been looking at most recently are Podium and VRay. I am just about to replace my late 2012 iMac with something close to what you have so that I can sensibly consider using a render program. Raylectron v4 is available for free evaluation.I am in a similar pre-purchase phase to you.

It works entirely inside Sketchup, and the rendering process free Sketchup so you can continue working on your model.* GPU Acceleration.

Instancing of components and groups allow you to duplicate any component or group without increasing the poly count and memory usage.

Support HDR maps and can save the rendered image as an HDR, it can also save in jpg, png and many other formats.

Save as transparent background so you can use the images on any background you like, including on web sites.

The sun, the sky, environment maps and any materials set as a light source (emitter) with settings for the power and coverage angle.

There are also four types of light source.

Rotate, pan, zoom, modify the materials and lights right from Raylectron.

Ability to stop the render, save it, reopen it later and resume the render.

Start/Stop lets you fine-tune your lights/materials and camera position.

Ability to create Grass & Fur, such as landscape, hay, carpet, hair, fabric such as sofa, chairs, and so on, any texture with a fur/thread like material.

Raylectron utilize all the CPU cores and threads (user selectable) to render as fast as possible and new GPU version available. Caustics are also real, not fake or simulated.Ĭreate your own animation which give you a hands-free tour of a model. Shadows are not fake or simulated like 'Soft shadows'. Any materials can produce different effects, such as reflection (like mirror), refraction (like glass), transparency, glossiness, shininess, bump maps, normal maps and background images.

The material editor is simple, yet powerful.

Raylectron for sketchup free download