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Kray

Kray is a hybrid global-illumination renderer that turns 3D models into photorealistic images.

Place
#20 of 46
Score
6.2
Kray's website

What Kray is

Kray is a hybrid global-illumination renderer that turns 3D models into photorealistic images. It supports reflections, refractions and caustics, with photon mapping, path tracing and irradiance caching among its listed illumination methods. A node-based material system, linear workflow, tone mapping and multi-buffer output support material setup and postprocessing. Kray lists multithreaded, multicore and multi-CPU support, while GPU Z-buffer ray tracing through OpenCL remains in progress. Its LightWave plugin synchronizes scenes, provides real-time preview and rendering controls, and can render basic information from .lws and .lwo files independently. The maker calls the LightWave 2015 version stable and production ready; LightWave 2018 and later versions are in progress. Kray3 Demo is free and fully functional but adds a watermark. Paid one-time plans are 70.00 EUR, 190.00 EUR and 435.00 EUR, with VAT excluded.

Good

  • Global illumination with several listed methods
  • Reflections, refractions and caustics
  • Node-based materials and multi-buffer output
  • Free functional demo available
  • C++ API with multiple language wrappers

Watch out

  • Demo renders include a watermark
  • OpenCL GPU ray tracing is still in progress
  • LightWave 2018 and later versions are in progress
  • Paid plans exclude VAT

Who it suits

Kray suits 3D artists and developers working with LightWave or integrating a renderer into modeling applications. Its Windows and macOS support, browser JavaScript version and developer wrappers also suit software teams.

Verdict

Kray combines advanced illumination options with LightWave integration and developer connectivity. Review the demo watermark, version status and one-time pricing before choosing a plan.

Plans and prices

From Kray's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Kray2 for LightWave academic license€70, paid onceacademic license · VAT excluded · 70* EUR per Unit
Kray3 for LightWave, upgrade from Kray2€190, paid onceupgrade from Kray2 · VAT excluded · 190* EUR per Unit
Kray3 for LightWave€435, paid onceVAT excluded · 435* EUR per Unit

The facts

Each one read from Kray's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Algorithms
Its listed global illumination methods include photon mapping, path tracing and irradiance caching.checked 11 Oct 2026
Compatibility status
The maker describes Kray for LightWave 2015 as stable and production ready, while versions for LightWave 2018 and later are in progress.checked 11 Oct 2026
Developer SDK
Kray's developer libraries let programmers connect modeling applications to its rendering engine, with C++ API source and wrappers for C, Ruby, Pascal, JavaScript and JNI.checked 11 Oct 2026
Downloads
Purchased product downloads and unlock codes require logging in; the download page also lists free tutorials, a benchmark tool, SDK files and other files.checked 11 Oct 2026
LightWave integration
The LightWave plugin supports scene synchronization, real-time preview, rendering controls in Layout, LWSN, and standalone rendering of basic information from .lws and .lwo files.checked 11 Oct 2026
Materials and output
Features include a node-based material system, linear workflow, tone mapping and multi-buffer output for postprocessing and composing.checked 11 Oct 2026
Performance
Kray lists multithreaded, multicore and multi-CPU support; GPU Z-buffer ray tracing via OpenCL is described as work in progress.checked 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
Kray renders photorealistic images from 3D models as a global illumination renderer.checked 11 Oct 2026
Rendering
The renderer supports global illumination, reflections, refractions and caustics.checked 11 Oct 2026
Security and compliance
The pages reviewed provide no security or compliance claims; the site links to a privacy policy.checked 11 Oct 2026
Support and community
The site links to Kray forums, a Discord channel and tutorials, and says an account enables forum use.checked 11 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Developer platforms
The developer page lists client binaries for Windows and macOS and developer versions for Android and Unix-like systems, and describes a JavaScript version running in modern web browsers.checked 11 Oct 2026

Money

Free demo
Kray3 Demo is available for free and is fully functional, with a watermark displayed on renders as its stated limitation.checked 11 Oct 2026

The company

Maker and location
The contact page names MindBerries, Grzegorz Tański, and gives a contact address in Ostrołęka, Poland.checked 11 Oct 2026

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