Shaderlight
Landscape design software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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Pay-as-you-go
Free TrialFree version
Small
Medium
Large
- Accommodation and food services
- Real estate and property management
- Construction
What is Shaderlight
Shaderlight is a rendering and visualization add-on for SketchUp that helps users create photorealistic images and animations from 3D models. It is used by designers who want to present landscape and outdoor space concepts with lighting, materials, and environmental effects. The product focuses on an in-SketchUp workflow rather than providing a full landscape CAD/design system with planting libraries and construction documentation.
Tight SketchUp workflow
Shaderlight runs as a SketchUp extension, so users can render directly from their existing SketchUp models without exporting to a separate renderer. This supports iterative design reviews where geometry changes frequently. For teams already standardized on SketchUp for concept modeling, it can reduce handoffs between modeling and visualization steps.
Photorealistic rendering outputs
The tool is designed for producing realistic still images and animations with lighting and material effects. This can improve client-facing presentations compared with basic viewport screenshots. It is particularly relevant when the goal is visual communication rather than plan production or estimating.
Visualization-focused feature set
Shaderlight’s capabilities center on rendering controls (lighting, materials, environment) rather than broader landscape business operations. For users who already have separate tools for design documentation or operations, this specialization can fit into a modular toolchain. It can complement landscape design workflows that rely on 3D modeling plus dedicated visualization.
Not a full design suite
Shaderlight does not replace landscape design software that includes planting databases, irrigation tools, grading workflows, or construction documentation. Users typically still need separate tools for plan sets, takeoffs, and specification management. This can add complexity for firms seeking an all-in-one landscape platform.
Requires SketchUp dependency
Because it is a SketchUp add-on, organizations must license and maintain SketchUp and train staff on that modeling environment. Teams using other CAD/BIM-centric workflows may face rework or file translation steps. The dependency also means Shaderlight’s value is limited when projects are primarily 2D or documentation-driven.
Limited public vendor details
Publicly verifiable information about the current corporate entity behind Shaderlight (ownership, headquarters, and social profiles) is not consistently available in authoritative sources. This can make vendor due diligence harder for procurement teams. Buyers may need to confirm support terms, roadmap, and company details directly with the seller.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free (feature-limited) | Free (permanent) | Limited features (preset resolutions limited to 640 x 480); retains reduced functionality after trial. |
| Trial (Pro features) | Free — 14-day trial | Full access to all Pro features for 14 days; after trial it reverts to the Free feature-limited mode. |
| Full License (PC / Mac) | $400.00 (one-time) | Unlimited access to Shaderlight Pro features; can be installed on laptop and desktop but not used simultaneously. |
| Full License 2-User Bundle | $660.00 (one-time) | Two full licenses sold as a bundle (saves vs two single licences). |
| Timed Access — 30 days | $70.00 | Single-machine activation; full Pro features for the selected duration. |
| Timed Access — 3 months | $140.00 | Single-machine activation; full Pro features for the selected duration. |
| Timed Access — 6 months | $210.00 | Single-machine activation; full Pro features for the selected duration. |
| Cloud Credits (for Shaderlight Cloud Rendering) | $20.00 per credit | Pay-as-you-go credit system for cloud rendering; the Shaderlight Cloud dialog shows credits required per render. |
| Educator License (PC / Mac) | $140.00 | Discounted single-machine license for teachers; proof of employment required within 30 days. |
| Student License (PC / Mac) | $70.00 (12 months) | 12 months access for students; proof of educational status required within 30 days. |
