New features include support for Gaussian Splats, AI-powered creation, Night Sky, and Fabric Materials
Chaos has released Corona 14, the latest version of its photorealistic architectural rendering engine for 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. New features include AI-assisted creation tools, support for Gaussian Splats, procedural material generation, and new environmental effects.
In Corona 14, Gaussian Splats enables visualisers to “rapidly create” 3D scenes by placing buildings in a real world context, and rendering complex 3D environments with accurate reflections and refractions.
Gaussian Splats, which use AI to create a rich 3D scene from a series of photos or videos, are said to yield smoother surfaces, richer volumetric detail and a more natural sense of depth for designers looking to bring real-life environments and objects into their work.
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Corona 14 also provides access to range of AI tools, which can be enabled/disabled so creatives can decide when to apply them or firms need to follow strict AI policies and adhere to client requirements.
The Chaos AI Material Generator allows creators to upload a photo of a real-world surface and then turn the image into a tileable, render-ready PBR, including all necessary maps, in a few clicks. According to Chaos, it’s an ideal solution for secondary materials that don’t require art direction ― but without loss of realism.
Meanwhile, the Chaos AI Image Enhancer is designed to elevate the realism, texture, and detail of supporting elements — such as foliage, people, or terrain — without altering the core design.
Advanced controls allow users to adjust the appearance of people assets and refine vegetation for precision and consistency. Corona 14 can also enhance AI creativity with the power to send LightMix results directly to the AI Image Enhancer to explore multiple lighting scenarios or fine-tune mood.
AI Upscaler is designed to turn low-resolution drafts or renders into high-quality, presentation-ready visual. According to Chaos, this can save hours of rendering time while still delivering crisp, photoreal results.
Elsewhere, a new Night Sky feature allows designers to add realistic moonlight, stars, and the galactic backdrop of the Milky Way without having to rely on HDRIs.
Finally, a new Fabric Material feature creates fabrics with “true-to-life” woven detail, with full control over the weave or threads — including opacity, bump, displacement, and more.
