BIMtopia

4.6.E Real-Time Rendering with Enscape

If your computer has a powerful graphics processor (GPU) installed, you can use a Real-Time Rendering to render your views in real-time as you work with your Revit model.

About Enscape

Enscape is a real-time rendering plug-in that offers exceptional rendering capabilities to create photorealistic visualizations of your building models, including:

  • Rendered images
  • 360 degree panoramas
  • Video and real-time (live) walkthrus
  • Virtual reality

The Enscape plug-in works with many Windows modeling tools including Autodesk Revit, SketchUp Pro, and Rhino.  Enscape is now also available for Mac OS users who create models using the SketchUp model tool.

What's Required

  • Enscape performs its renders using your graphics card (GPU), but the graphics card has to have dedicated VRAM, and not shared VRAM as found with Intel Integrated Graphics chips. If your CPU and RAM are capable of handling Revit, for instance, and you have a capable GPU, Enscape should work. A good CPU can speed up Enscape’s loading times. The system requirements to run Enscape, as well as the Standalone Executable files that can be exported from Enscape, are identical.
  • It is also recommended that your internet connection is fast and stable, and that you should use a direct cable connection and avoid using a Wi-fi connection where possible, as this can slow down the Asset Library loading times.
  • Notes for Mac Users:
    • Enscape can typically run on a Intel-based Mac using Bootcamp (which provides access to the Mac graphics card).
    • Enscape cannot run under Parallels.
    • A native MacOS version that will work with Apple Silicon (M1 and M2) Macs is also available that works with SketchUp models.

Getting Started

You can download the Enscape extension for Revit and get a free academic license here:

https://enscape3d.com/educational-license

Using Enscape

  • Open a 3D Camera view in your Revit model.
  • Open the Enscape window using the Enscape > Start command.
  • Navigate your Revit model in the Enscape window.
  • As you make changes in your Revit model (altering the model elements or changing the materials assigned) the changes will automatically be updated in the Enscape window.

Saving Your Rendered Views

  • To save a rendered image: use the Enscape > Render Image command.
  • To save a rendered panorama: use the Enscape > Render Panorama command.