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Last update: October 4, 2021

Blender vs. KeyShot: Which One Should You Choose?

Plenty of artists and enthusiasts have begun dabbling with the prospect of creating their projects utilizing various tools and 3D technology. Choosing the right software can become quite tricky, taking so many factors and features into account. So, would Blender or KeyShot benefit you most?

Blender allows artists to create custom models, assets, and animations aided by automated operations, powerful rendering cycles, and tools.  KeyShot is incredibly swift, advanced and offers a simplified experience for users resulting in photorealistic, scientifically accurate models and scenes. 

Even though both Blender and KeyShot produce remarkable outcomes, various aspects could be seen as advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the task and user. Thus, the suitability of either of these software options will be subject to the envisioned purposes of the project and the distinct goals of artists using the software. Join us as we compare Blender and KeyShot to help you determine which would be the best fit for your approaching creations. 

What are the differences between Blender and KeyShot? 

Understanding the proposed purpose and complete design of both Blender and KeyShot will be indispensable when determining which of the two software options would be more beneficial and practical in your case. Although both software options are efficient and claim to offer users similar advantages, they can only be compared considering suitability per project or user instead of which software is better than the other on a broad scale. 

Asset Creation

Blender is a fantastic software option for any artist hoping to create something truly unique. The software allows users to fashion their creations with an immeasurable customization level, whether it is realistic or not. With Blender, aspects including meshes, curves, volume, instancing, and much more allow artists to get creative with their projects. Available materials and textures are abundant, allowing artists to capture their vision, express their creativity, and pursue various visual styles. 

KeyShot allows users to create photorealistic assets through various textures and materials that consider scientifically accurate representations of objects' physical properties. But, there is still plenty of freedom concerning customization. KeyShot even allows users to match their materials and textures with providers such as Mold-Tech, Axalta Coating Systems, and Sorensen leather using Gloss values and Cie-Lab colors. Colors can also be adapted realistically using reputable color libraries such as RAL and PANTONE. 

Rendering Capabilities

Blender is famous for its sophisticated rendering processes through the utilization of powerful rendering cycles. The software utilizes a ray-trace-based production render engine, which offers unidirectional path tracing and multi-core rendering with SIMD acceleration. Using this software option allows users to witness texture and lighting in real-time concerning separate assets or even complete scenes or environments.  

KeyShot is well-known for an adaptable, swift, and efficient rendering experience, as the render engine entails the most advanced lighting algorithms. The software allows users to witness their creations in real-time as they make changes thanks to global illumination and multi-core mapping. 

KeyShot supports the use of both CPU and GPU power during rendering cycles, allows users to choose how much power is used from both physical and virtual cores, and even allows users to scale linearly for optimum performance. Using KeyShot can result in an incredibly accurate, dynamic, and vivid scene without having to focus on the complexities it would appear to have entailed, such as the number of photons required within any given scene.

Time and Workflow

Although Blender offers numerous tools, automated operations, and add-ons that assist users' workflow, Blender still requires time and effort since it demands that many aspects are established from scratch. Users will have to commit to embarking on a challenging and inspiring learning journey when using Blender. But, when used proficiently, creating animations and models from scratch can lead to a stunning aesthetic paired with sensitive movements thanks to physics essentials in the form of data and calculations. 

KeyShot prides itself on offering a software option that is exceptionally swift at generating high-quality results for users, topped with a workflow-based and straightforward interface that is still multifaceted concerning its functionality. It has an unmatched import pipeline and offers users the benefit of transferring data directly from applications through LiveLinking technology and a broad partnership network. Such features allow users to transfer alterations to models and scenes into running sessions without losing time or work.

Skill Requirements

Blender does take quite a lot of time, effort, and learning curves to use proficiently, but this learning and self-development journey can be incredibly worthwhile in the long run. The use of Blender also awards far more opportunities for creations and projects since the overall design and functionality of Blender targets an exceedingly widespread audience making it practical and advantageous for varying industries. 

Despite the high quality of creations and performance offered by KeyShot, the interface is surprisingly simple and user-friendly. Through a sophisticated and organized interface topped with various automated tools and operations, KeyShot is relatively simple to learn yet is still enjoyable and functional for experts in the field simultaneously. 

What is Blender best for? 

Blender has countless uses and functions, further enhanced by numerous automated operations, add-ons, and tools that help cut down on tedious or time-consuming tasks throughout the creation process. The software also features certain sophisticated aspects such as global illumination and FreeStyle, an edge-based and line-based rendering engine which is non-photorealistic.

These features result in an extensive area of potential. Users can use the software to create 3D art, assets, and projects for a broad range of uses, many of which form a vital aspect in developing games but are still applicable within various industries. The flexibility of Blender leaves immeasurable room for growth and creativity and allows artists to capture the specific vision that they have in mind when starting their project.

What is KeyShot best for? 

The overall design and functionality of KeyShot is incredibly sophisticated and provides users with a workflow process that is enjoyable and supportive of their creations while awarding artists by producing highly realistic results. Using KeyShot provides users with all the tools they need to create photorealistic designs and settings topped with natural lighting and textures, which is incredibly advantageous for projects entailing scenes, environments, and spaces, whether indoor or outdoor.

The software itself allows users to stay engaged with their workflow through the assistance of advanced rendering cycles and tools, which both cut down on time-consumption while increasing the overall visual appeal of the project. There is plenty of support through simplified processes and accessible content, which can further assist artists in their creative process, whether during a particular project or throughout their learning journey as a whole. 

Other Considerations for Blender and KeyShot

Cost and Licenses: Blender is free to use for an unlimited amount of time, regardless of the intended use for artists and whether or not the artists will be profiting by using the software. Although KeyShot offers a free trial, the entire experience is only available after a one-time purchase. KeyShot does provide exclusive content as well, which will make the overall experience far more gratifying.

Software Compatibility: Blender is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac and can be used on various PC setups, whether using GPU or CPU power, as long as it meets the minimum requirements. Although, certain functions may not be applicable depending on CPU vs. GPU power. KeyShot allows users to utilize CPU or NVIDIA GPU power for rendering and is compatible with various Windows and Mac PC and laptop setups.

Should you choose Blender or KeyShot?

Blender has limitless potential and would be an excellent option for those hoping to create something exclusive, high-quality, and detailed from scratch. These advantages and features allow users to tackle a blank canvas and build their project precisely in tune with their vision, whether realistic, cartoon style or somewhere in between. The endless opportunity for creations and animations is coupled with an abundance of features for amplified functionality and workflow, but establishing proficiency in Blender will undoubtedly take time, patience, and practice since it is so complex. 

KeyShot is excellent for artists seeking a photorealistic appeal with incredibly detailed aesthetics, topped by exceptional lighting and environmental factors. The entire creation process is greatly assisted by additional benefits such as shared models, materials, textures, and the ability to compare creations with realistic standards within the modern world. This software is simple to learn and use and is fantastic for creating stunning scenes and interior spaces. Still, it may also be an excellent choice for creating individual assets and models with a photorealistic visual style. 

Blender and KeyShot offer similar promises in terms of usability and are both reputable and popular within the community. Whether Blender or KeyShot would be a better choice will be based on the goals of your project. Using either software option will likely result in varying aesthetics, usability, and learning journeys. Thus, deciding which software to go for will ultimately come down to the quality and distinctiveness being sought, how realistic one would want their creations to be, budget, time availability, and the users' skill level.

Written by: Erik Selin

Editor & Publisher

Erik Selin
3D artist, writer, and owner of artisticrender.com

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