KeyShot 3 review

KeyShot is specialized software developed by expert in field of light scattering to bring photorealistic rendering capabilities to not only experts but also amateurs bringing simplified GUI (Graphics User Interface) and many more features. KeyShot as the only rendering engine features is certified by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination). Using scientifically accurate materials and real world lighting, KeyShot delivers the most accurate images in a matter of seconds.

A time ago we brought interview with the developers of KeyShot Henrik Wann Jensen and Thomas Teger from Luxion where they revealed something from the background of KeyShot 2.0 and also something from the upcoming version 3.0. After the interview we decided to review KeyShot mainly for his rendering capabilities, photorealistic results and friendly GUI.

The new KeyShot 3.0 is filled up with new features and enhanced old ones. It’s featuring a new GUI, Animation systems, improved importer and many more including 300+ new materials.

Keyshot 3.0 specification

KeyShot 3.0 overview

The software package which you get by purchasing KeyShot or by downloading the trial version include; KeyShot 3.0, 400+ predefined materials including texture and bump maps, 20+ lighting environments including 5 professional outdoor environments, backplates and help files. The GUI of KeyShot 3.0 is very simple and clean. At the first moment you will ask yourself „Where are all the buttons? “, but this was intended by developing the software. The initial GUI consists from the workspace, contextual menus on the top and 6 button located at the bottom of the screen. These 6 buttons will guide you through the process of using KeyShot 3.0 and allows you just with 6 click import your model and render. This is really a fantastic feature and you can use KeyShot and render your first image within few minutes of using it.

What’s new in KeyShot 3.0

• New animation system (optional KeyShot 3 add-on) Setup, edit, and playback inside realtime raytraced environment
• Full interaction with camera, lighting and materials during animation playback
• Individual object and camera transforms
• Copy and paste of animation transforms from one object to another
• Animation wizard: Step by step guide for first time users
• Helper objects: Select any part or assembly as rotation centre
• Interactive adjustment of camera transforms in timeline
• Camera animation types: Orbit, Incline, Zoom, Translate
• Part and object animation types: Turntable, Rotation, Translation
• Fast preview output: AVI, MPEG
• High quality render output: AVI, MPEG, Flash, individual frames including Alpha channel
• UI Improvements BIP file preview
• Main tool bar cleanup
• Dockable toolbar
• Redesigned content library
• In-project material library
• Dialogue clean-up
• Editable cameras
• Overwrite protection of contetn with visual feedback
• Gamma adjustment of startup environment to provide images with less contrast

KeyShot 3.0 allows you to import various formats of models which were created in your favourite 3D application like AutoCAD (DWG/DXF), CATIA v5, SolidWorks 2012 and many others. The variation of the allowed formats is huge and you could be sure that whenever you create your model in 3DsMax or similar software you will be able to render it using KeyShot. The import process is very fast and after importing the model will appear in the workspace. The workspace is changing according to the settings which the users do. If you apply any material to your model, the material will appear in the scene and KeyShot will start redrawing the current scene according to the used material and environment. You can also scale the model, move and rotate using the right click option and the menu which will appear next. After manipulating the model you can continue to the next steps which are the materials. I really recommend you to at least read the user guide and also to look on the hot-key maps to help you to orient in some features which KeyShot have.