Frequently Asked Questions

For SketchUp users who need faithful geometry and fast turnaround, Maquete is the strongest choice — native plugin, 4K renders in ~30 seconds, geometry never reinterpreted. For real-time GPU presentations (Windows only), D5 Render is purpose-built. For creative concept exploration, Veras offers more interpretive freedom. The best tool depends on whether you need fidelity (Maquete) or creative flexibility (Veras/D5).

Maquete is engineered specifically for this. Our prompts are tuned for architectural fidelity — walls, openings, proportions, and structural elements are preserved exactly as modelled. Tools like Veras and general diffusion tools often reinterpret geometry to produce a more visually pleasing result, which is useful for ideation but problematic for client deliverables.

Both are AI rendering tools for architects, but with opposite engineering priorities. Veras leans into creative reinterpretation — the AI suggests how your space could look. Maquete preserves your geometry exactly — the render shows the design you actually drew. For final client deliverables, Maquete. For early concept exploration, Veras.

Lumion is a GPU-based real-time renderer requiring a high-spec Windows machine. Maquete is cloud AI rendering that runs in any browser on any device. Lumion produces interactive presentations with extensive asset libraries; Maquete produces photorealistic stills and AI walkthrough videos in ~30 seconds with no hardware investment. Different tools for different budgets and workflows.

Yes — Maquete is a direct alternative with a native SketchUp plugin (MyArchitectAI is browser-upload only), geometry-fidelity engineering, and AI video walkthrough generation. Maquete paid plans start at $25/month.

Absolutely. Maquete renders are DSLR-quality at 4K resolution, used daily by professional architecture firms for client deliverables, competition entries, and marketing materials. All renders generated from your content are commercially licensed to you without restriction.

For typical interior architectural stills — yes, at Maquete's quality level. The difference shows in physically complex scenarios: V-Ray handles caustics, multi-bounce reflections, and very large exterior scenes with more precision. For 80% of client-facing renders (interiors, residential, commercial spaces), a Maquete result is indistinguishable from a V-Ray render and takes 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes of setup.

Most AI rendering tools use general image-generation models (Stable Diffusion, Midjourney-style) that reinterpret your design input. The model adds furniture you didn't model, changes material colours, or alters room proportions to produce a more photogenic composition. Maquete prevents this with architecture-specific prompt engineering that instructs the model to preserve your geometry exactly.

Any image export from your 3D modelling tool — PNG, JPG, or TIFF. Upload a SketchUp viewport capture, an Archicad export, a Revit export, or a screenshot from any 3D tool. If you use SketchUp, the native plugin renders directly from your current viewport without exporting anything.

Maquete has a free plan for getting started. Paid plans start at $25/month (Pro) for higher render volumes, $45/month (Studio) for teams, and $70/month (Business) for agencies. All paid plans include AI video walkthroughs and client sharing links.

Yes. The free plan lets you generate renders to evaluate quality and workflow fit, no credit card required. Upgrade to a paid plan when you need higher render volumes or video walkthroughs.

Yes — a native SketchUp plugin that renders your active viewport in one click, directly inside SketchUp. No file export, no browser switch, no upload step. The rendered image appears in your Maquete dashboard within ~30 seconds.