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How to Render in Coohom (Fast HD Images in 5 Minutes)

Rendering is where your Coohom design becomes a photorealistic image that looks like a professional interior photograph. Coohom uses cloud-based rendering engines that handle all the complex lighting calculations, material physics, and shadow generation on their servers, so you get high-quality results without needing expensive hardware. This tutorial covers everything from camera positioning to export settings.

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Quick Answer

  • Standard renders complete in 30-60 seconds, HD in 2-3 minutes.
  • Cloud-based rendering works from any computer with a web browser.
  • Lighting setup is the single most important factor for render quality.
  • Batch rendering processes multiple camera angles simultaneously on paid plans.
  • Free accounts get a limited monthly render quota.

What Is Coohom Rendering?

Coohom rendering is the process of converting your 3D interior design into a photorealistic 2D image. The rendering engine simulates how light travels through the space, bounces off surfaces, creates shadows, and interacts with different materials. The result is an image that closely resembles a professional photograph of a real interior.

Because rendering requires significant computational power, Coohom offloads this processing to their cloud servers. You set up the camera angle and click render, and the result is delivered back to your browser when complete. This means you can produce professional-quality renders from a basic laptop or even a tablet.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Finalize Your 3D Scene

Before rendering, make sure all furniture is properly positioned, materials are applied to all surfaces (walls, floors, ceilings), and lighting is set up. Check that no items are floating, overlapping, or clipping through walls. Enter first-person view and walk through the entire space to catch any issues.

Step 2: Set Up Camera Position

Navigate to the view you want to capture. Use orbit, pan, and zoom to frame the shot. For interior photography-style renders, position the camera at a height of about 4-5 feet (eye level when seated) and aim slightly downward. This mimics how professional interior photographers shoot. Use the "Save Camera" button to bookmark this position.

Step 3: Adjust Lighting

Open the "Lighting" panel. Set the time of day for sun position (golden hour around 4-5 PM creates warm, flattering light). Adjust window blinds or curtains to control how much natural light enters. Review artificial lights: warm-toned lights (2700K-3000K) create a cozy atmosphere, while cooler tones (4000K-5000K) feel modern and clinical. Test with a quick standard-resolution render first before committing to HD.

Step 4: Choose Render Settings

Click "Render" in the top toolbar. Select your resolution: Standard (1920x1080), HD (3840x2160), or 4K (available on paid plans). Choose the render style: Photorealistic is the default and best for most use cases. Some paid plans offer additional styles like watercolor or sketch overlay. Set the output format to JPG for smaller file sizes or PNG for transparency support.

Step 5: Start and Monitor the Render

Click "Start Render." You will see a progress bar and estimated time remaining. You can close the render dialog and continue working on other parts of your project while the render processes in the cloud. You will receive a notification when the render is complete. Multiple renders can queue simultaneously on paid plans.

Step 6: Review and Download

Once complete, open the render result. Zoom in to check details: material textures, lighting quality, shadow accuracy, and reflection clarity. If satisfied, click "Download" to save the image. You can also share a link directly to clients or social media. If not satisfied, adjust the scene and re-render.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

  • Rendering without proper lighting: This is the number one mistake. Always test with a quick standard render before committing to a long HD render. Flat lighting creates unrealistic, unappealing images.
  • Camera too close to walls: This creates a fish-eye distortion effect. Pull the camera back and zoom in with the field-of-view slider instead of physically moving the camera closer.
  • Missing materials on surfaces: Any surface without an applied material will render as a flat gray. Check ceilings, baseboards, door frames, and window sills.

Pro Tips for Better Results

  • Use golden hour lighting (late afternoon sun) for warm, inviting renders. This works for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining spaces. Use bright midday light for kitchens and bathrooms to make them feel clean.
  • Add accent lighting under cabinets, behind headboards, or inside shelving units. These subtle light sources add depth and professionalism to renders.
  • Compose your camera angle using the rule of thirds. Place focal points (a statement sofa, dining table, or fireplace) at the intersection of imaginary grid lines for professional framing.

Export Options

  • JPG: Smaller file size, best for web and social media sharing.
  • PNG: Higher quality with transparency support, best for portfolios and print.
  • Share link: Generate a direct link to the render for client review without downloading.

Troubleshooting

Render is completely black

You have no light sources. Add ceiling lights or set the time of day to daytime for natural sunlight through windows.

Render shows strange artifacts or noise

This can happen with very dark scenes that rely heavily on artificial light. Increase the overall light levels or add a subtle ambient light to the scene.

Render quality lower than expected

Check that you selected HD or 4K resolution, not Standard. Also verify that you chose Photorealistic render mode, not a faster preview mode.

Alternatives

  • Enscape: Real-time rendering plugin for SketchUp and Revit. Faster previews but requires a paid license.
  • V-Ray: Industry-standard renderer with exceptional quality but steep learning curve and expensive.
  • Homestyler: Free browser-based rendering with simpler results but easier workflow.

Full comparison on our alternatives page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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