Luxion, GrabCAD Extend Partnership, Introduce KeyShot App for Workbench

Luxion, makers of KeyShot and a leading developer of advanced rendering and lighting technology, and GrabCAD, the largest online community and collaboration platform for designers and engineers, are pleased to announce KeyShot as the first Workbench application for photographic rendering of 3D models. This is a result of the expanding partnership between the two companies and new integration options that bring seamless, bi-directional transfer of data between the KeyShot and GrabCAD platforms.

In June of 2013, Luxion and GrabCAD announced the first ever compatibility between GrabCAD and a 3D rendering application providing users the ability to publish KeyShot renderings of their models to their GrabCAD Workbench directly from the KeyShot environment. This filled an important part of the collaborative product design process by allowing GrabCAD members to use KeyShot to quickly create and share photorealistic 3D renderings, animations and interactive visuals in the GrabCAD community or in private projects. Now, the circle is complete with additional integration that allows GrabCAD users to open any of their 3D models in KeyShot directly from the Workbench interface inside GrabCAD.

The new KeyShot app for Workbench dedicated to 3D rendering and visualization between the two platforms

How it works

With an active Workbench account, GrabCAD users can open a model from GrabCAD directly within KeyShot. When a model is open inside a project of the Workbench interface, the user and any collaborators will see an "Open With" menu above the model in the upper right corner. With a single click, members of the project are able to select "Open with KeyShot" to launch and open the model directly inside KeyShot. With KeyShot installed, the model will open immediately inside the KeyShot realtime rendering environment. With KeyShot's extensive import pipeline, users can import any native file format including Solid Edge, Creo, SolidWorks, Rhino as well as neutral file formats including STEP, STL and IGES.

To publish images and files back into GrabCAD, the GrabCAD plugin must be activated, allowing authorization to connect to the GrabCAD users’ account. After a rendering is created, the user may select the image(s) they wish to upload from the KeyShot Library Renderings tab. The user has the option to publish the image(s) to the public Library or private Workbench. Once published, the user will be taken to the GrabCAD project in their web browser. In addition to publishing the rendering users can share the KeyShot scene (.bip or .ksp) in their workbench for collaboration.

Files currently supported for bi-directional import between KeyShot and GrabCAD include the 20+ 3D file formats and versions that can be opened in KeyShot directly or through a KeyShot plug in.

Pricing and Availability

This bi-directional integration including the new "Open with KeyShot" capability from GrabCAD is available now within KeyShot 4.2 and for all Workbench users at no charge. A GrabCAD account and valid KeyShot license is required to take advantage of the functionality. 

About Luxion

Luxion is a leading developer of advanced 3D rendering and lighting technology. KeyShot is the first real-time ray tracing and global illumination program for 3D rendering and animation that uses a physically correct rendering engine certified by the CIE (International Commission on Illumination). Addressing the visualization needs of designers, engineers, marketing professionals, photographers and CG specialists, KeyShot breaks down the complexity of creating photographic images and animations from 3D digital data. Luxion’s customer list includes many of the Fortune 1000 product manufacturers and major industrial design companies including Chrysler, Fossil, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Procter & Gamble, IDEO and SMART Design. For more information, visit http://www.keyshot.com/.

About GrabCAD

GrabCAD is leading the Open Engineering movement, helping engineers get products to market faster by connecting people, content and technology. GrabCAD Workbench makes it easy for engineers to share files, work with partners and complete projects on time, while the GrabCAD Community accelerates the design process by tapping into the knowledge and resources of the largest source of CAD content and engineering minds in the world. Founded in 2010, the company is backed by Matrix Partners and Charles River Ventures and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA with a development offices in Estonia and the UK. For more information, visit, https://grabcad.com/.