Arnold logo

Arnold

by Autodesk · Since 1982
No reviews yet
ActiveAvailable globallyCloudFree tier
Quick facts
VendorAutodesk
Year launched1982
StatusActive
LocationSan Francisco, CA
Countries servedGlobal
Languages41
Integrations1+
Free tierYES
Free trialYES
Contact sales

About Arnold

Autodesk Arnold is an advanced Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer from Autodesk that provides predictable results for 3D rendering. It offers detailed rendering capabilities, efficient scene management, and reliable integration with various 3D software, which helps artists create high-quality visual effects and animations. Designed for professionals in visual effects and animation, Arnold ensures accurate lighting and shading, allowing for the development of complex characters and scenes. Its flexible rendering options and extensive toolset support diverse production workflows. Key capabilities: advanced ray tracing scene management integration with popular 3D software efficient rendering options support for high-quality textures Best for: 3D artists and studios that need to render detailed animations and visual effects.

Arnold by Autodesk is a premier Monte Carlo ray tracing renderer highly regarded in the animation and visual effects industry for its ability to produce photorealistic images with remarkable efficiency. Developed to meet the rigorous demands of feature-length animation and VFX, Arnold stands out with its advanced ray tracing capabilities, global illumination, and support for complex shading networks. These features allow for the creation of highly detailed and realistic renders, essential for high-end production environments. The user interface of Arnold is designed to be both intuitive and accessible, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. It integrates seamlessly with popular 3D modeling applications such as Maya and 3ds Max, offering a cohesive and streamlined workflow. Notable design elements include a node-based material editor and interactive rendering capabilities, enabling users to see real-time changes as they adjust materials and lighting, significantly enhancing the creative process. Functionality is a strong suit for Arnold, which excels with its extensive feature set. The software utilizes Monte Carlo ray tracing to produce highly realistic images, supported by global illumination for accurate lighting and shadows.

Pros & Cons

What users like
  • +Users consistently praise Arnold for its ability to create unmatched realism and high-quality visuals in renders.
  • +Simplicity and ease of use are highlighted, making it accessible to artists of various skill levels.
  • +Arnold provides a high degree of control over shaders and render settings, allowing for precise customization.
  • +Arnold is recognized for its efficient rendering speed and minimal noise generation, ensuring accurate results.
  • +The software fosters a smooth workflow for HDRI rendering, simplifying the process.
  • +The AI Standard Shader is a popular feature, offering a versatile tool for creating various looks.
What users flag
  • Arnold can be demanding on hardware resources, potentially causing slow rendering on low-end machines.
  • While improving, GPU rendering capabilities may not be as advanced as some users would like.
  • As of now, the integration of realtime shading needs improvement according to some users.
  • There have been reports of occasional incomplete renders, requiring additional steps to finalize specific areas.
  • Some users have encountered situations where the rendering status indicator continues running even after the render is complete.

Features

Key features

Monte Carlo Ray Tracing
Interactive Rendering
Scalability
Seamless Integration
CPU and GPU Rendering

Additional features

Physically-based rendering
Interactive rendering
Advanced ray tracing
Seamless integration with Maya, 3ds Max, Houdini, Cinema 4D, and Katana
Support for Open Shading Language (OSL)
Extensive shader library
Advanced lighting and shading tools
Support for volumetrics
Hair and fur rendering
Subsurface scattering
Motion blur
Deep image output
Cryptomatte support
Customizable AOVs (Arbitrary Output Variables)
Extensive API for custom development

Pricing

Free trial
Free version
Request a quote
Promo Offer

Countries & Languages

Global
Countries served
41
Interface languages
27
Billing currencies

Interface languages

ASEAN (English)AustraliaBelgiëBelgiqueBrasilCanada (English)Canada (Français)ČeskoDanmarkDeutschlandEspañaEurope (English)FranceHong Kong (English)India (English)ItaliaLatinoaméricaMagyarországMéxicoMiddle East (English)NederlandNew ZealandNorgeÖsterreichPolskaPortugalSingapore (English)SuomiSverigeSchweizSouth Africa (English)SuisseSvizzeraTürkiyeUnited KingdomUnited StatesРоссия中国大陆地区台灣地區日本한국­

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD🇪🇺EUR🇬🇧GBP🇦🇺AUD🇨🇦CAD🇯🇵JPY🇨🇭CHF🇨🇳CNY🇮🇳INR🇲🇽MXN🇧🇷BRL🇰🇷KRW🇸🇪SEK🇳🇿NZD🇷🇺RUB🇿🇦ZAR🇸🇬SGD🇭🇰HKD🇳🇴NOK🇹🇷TRY🇩🇰DKK🇵🇱PLN🇮🇱ILS🇹🇭THB🇲🇾MYR🇭🇺HUF🇮🇩IDR

No reviews yet

Be the first to drop a review

Alternatives to Arnold

Octane Platform logo

Octane Platform

Octane Platform is a cloud rendering software from OTOY that provides solutions for high-performance graphics…

Virtual Eye (Sports Graphics) logo

Virtual Eye (Sports Graphics)

Virtual Eye is a leading sports technology and broadcast solutions company that transforms live sporting…

Qube! logo

Qube!

Qube! is a render farm management platform designed for visual effects, animation, gaming, and large-scale…

Patchwork 3D logo

Patchwork 3D

Patchwork 3D is a 3D modeling software from Lumiscaphe that supports the creation and management…

Thea Render logo

Thea Render

Thea Render is a rendering software from Altair Engineering designed for creating high-quality visualizations. It…

Unity Scriptable Render Pipeline (SRP) logo

Unity Scriptable Render Pipeline (SRP)

Unity Scriptable Render Pipeline (SRP) is a graphics software from Unity Technologies that supports real-time…

Often compared with Arnold

Compare any two tools →
Octane Platform logo
Octane Platform
3D Rendering
0.0
Virtual Eye (Sports Graphics) logo
Virtual Eye (Sports Graphics)
3D Rendering
0.0
Qube! logo
Qube!
3D Rendering
0.0
Patchwork 3D logo
Patchwork 3D
Virtual Reality (VR)
0.0