NVIDIA Iray

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What NVIDIA Iray is

NVIDIA Iray is a rendering SDK for designers and digital artists working with physically based 3D and VR workflows. It generates photorealistic imagery for interactive and batch rendering, and its C++ API lets developers integrate and customize it in visualization applications. Iray can combine GPUs and CPUs in one machine, with control over which devices render. NVIDIA says it supports RTX ray-tracing hardware and AI denoising for interactive and final-frame rendering. MDL describes material properties such as color, reflection, refraction, light emission, cut-outs, and bump maps. Other listed capabilities include caustics, spectral rendering, OpenVDB, photometric lights, depth of field, motion blur, and stereo viewing. CUDA-enabled nodes can join clusters for multi-machine and cloud-based rendering. Developers can write plugins, and NVIDIA says examples ship with Iray. Listed integrations include Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, and McNeel Rhinoceros; named applications include CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Daz Studio, Patchwork 3D, and Siemens NX. The SDK is obtained through partners offering integration support; NVIDIA directs inquiries to Siemens Lightworks and migenius. Pricing is available on request.

Who it suits

Iray suits designers and digital artists working on physically based 3D or VR, as well as developers integrating rendering into visualization applications.

What it does well

C++ API supports integration and customization.
Combines GPU and CPU rendering in one machine.
Supports RTX ray tracing and AI denoising.
Supports multi-machine and cloud rendering workflows.
Includes features such as OpenVDB and motion blur.

What to know first

Pricing is available only on request.
SDK access is through partners.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
NVIDIA Iray SDK	Contact Siemens Lightworks or migenius to inquire about obtaining the SDK	On request

As developer.nvidia.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the NVIDIA Iray SDK website.
Contact Siemens Lightworks or migenius to inquire about obtaining the SDK.
Work with an access partner that provides professional integration support.
Use the C++ API to integrate or customize Iray in a visualization application.

Verdict

Iray combines rendering features with an API for integration into visualization applications. Buyers must contact a listed partner to inquire about obtaining the SDK and pricing.

Questions

How much does NVIDIA Iray cost?

Pricing is available on request.

How can I obtain the SDK?

NVIDIA directs inquiries to Siemens Lightworks and migenius, partners that provide professional integration support.

What platforms are listed?

The listed platforms are API and web.

What rendering hardware does Iray support?

It can combine GPUs and CPUs in one machine, with users choosing which devices render. NVIDIA also says it supports RTX ray-tracing hardware.

Can Iray render across multiple machines or in the cloud?

CUDA-enabled render nodes can be added to a cluster, and Iray supports multi-machine and cloud-based workflows.

Which applications are named as Iray integrations or users?

Integrations are listed for Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, and McNeel Rhinoceros. Named applications include CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Daz Studio, Patchwork 3D, and Siemens NX.

Facts from NVIDIA Iray's own pages

Access and support: The Iray SDK is available through partners that provide professional support during integration; NVIDIA directs inquiries to Siemens Lightworks and migenius. · developer.nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Applications: NVIDIA lists Iray in applications including CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, Daz Studio, Patchwork 3D, and Siemens NX. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Clustering: Iray can add CUDA-enabled render nodes to a cluster and supports multi-machine and cloud-based rendering workflows. · developer.nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Extensibility: The API supports writing Iray plugins, and NVIDIA says example plugins are shipped with Iray. · developer.nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Features: Listed features include caustics, spectral rendering, OpenVDB support, photometric lights, depth of field, motion blur, and stereo viewing. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Founded: 1993 · developer.nvidia.com, 28 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States · developer.nvidia.com, 28 Sept 2026
Integrations: NVIDIA lists Iray integrations for Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, and McNeel Rhinoceros. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: NVIDIA describes Iray as supporting physically based 3D and VR workflows for designers and digital artists. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Materials: MDL describes material properties including color, reflection, refraction, light emission, and surface details such as cut-outs and bump maps. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Ray tracing: NVIDIA says Iray supports RTX ray-tracing hardware and uses AI denoising for interactive and final-frame renderings. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Rendering: Iray generates photorealistic imagery for interactive and batch rendering workflows. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
Rendering hardware: Iray supports combinations of GPUs and CPUs in one machine and lets users choose which devices render. · nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026
SDK API: The SDK provides a C++ API for integrating and customizing Iray in visualization applications. · developer.nvidia.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where NVIDIA Iray stands on Freedom251

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