Chaos is introducing V-Ray for Blender Community Edition, a professional-grade rendering engine now available free of charge for all Blender users. This offers a production-proven toolset to help artists, students, and Blender enthusiasts achieve professional, high-end results.
Key takeaways:
- Professional power for free: Access a production-ready rendering engine with the same tools and workflows used by the world’s best at no cost.
- Massive asset library: Gain access to over 14,000 high-quality 3D models and materials.
- Renewable access: The license is valid for 90 days and can be renewed an unlimited number of times by completing a short survey.
- Broad audience support: Tailored for everyone from students and hobbyists to add-on developers and freelancers.
V-Ray. Now free for the Blender community
We’re thrilled to announce that V-Ray for Blender Community Edition is here – a professional-grade rendering engine now available free of charge to the Blender community.
We recognize that Blender is a starting point for many young, talented artists, and our mission is to give back and empower creators to achieve world-class visual quality. This release demonstrates Chaos’s commitment to supporting the incredible Blender community worldwide.
Discover more about the V-Ray for Blender Community Edition, join a thriving community, and create your best work yet!
All you need to know: V-Ray for Blender Community Edition
The Community Edition is a standalone product that allows you to leverage industry-standard technology within the open-source Blender ecosystem. The V-Ray for Blender Community Edition license is free for 3 months and can be renewed an unlimited number of times*.
What’s included in the Community Edition?
In the V-Ray Community Edition, you have everything you need to start creating using V-Ray in Blender and achieve high-end, photorealistic results.
- Production-ready renderer: Access the core V-Ray functionalities and professional rendering workflows used by top studios.
- Asset library: Includes access to Chaos Cosmos, providing over 14,000 high-quality 3D assets to use in your scenes.
- Commercial use: Unique to this edition, we are allowing for freelance commercial use, such as initial test renders and client concept presentations.
*The license can be renewed upon the completion of a short survey designed to improve your V-Ray for Blender experience.
Who’s this version for?
The V-Ray Community Edition is created to support Blender artists at various stages of their journey.
- Students & newbies: Learn an award-winning renderer early in your career without financial barriers.
- Content creators & educators: Create tutorials, reviews, or course material using professional-grade software.
- Hobbyists: Experiment with high-end tools to take your personal art to the next level.
- Freelancers: Use it for personal projects, portfolio building, or lookdev and concept pitches for clients.
- Researchers & add-on developers: Access V-Ray’s core technology for research projects or to introduce and maintain support for your add-ons.
Comparison: Community vs. paid version
While the Community Edition offers a robust feature set, some advanced production and AI tools are reserved only for our commercial subscribers. Please note that for large-scale projects, high-end production, and integration with the existing pipeline, the commercial V-Ray plans remain the best choice.
|
Features & benefits |
Community edition |
Paid |
|
License cost |
Free |
Depends on chosen payment plan |
|
License duration |
3 months (90 days) |
Monthly/annual |
|
Peer & community support |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Official Chaos support |
No |
Yes |
|
Access to product updates |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Product documentation |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Learning resources |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Max resolution |
2K Square (2560x2560) |
Unlimited |
|
Output image quality |
8-bit |
32-bit |
|
Cloud collaboration |
No |
Yes |
|
Cloud rendering |
Yes (cloud only) |
Yes (all cloud licensing types) |
|
AI-powered tools |
No |
Yes |
|
Free 3D assets |
14,000+ Cosmos assets |
Based on chosen product plan |
|
Batch (headless) rendering |
No |
Yes |
|
Distributed rendering |
No |
Yes |
|
Export to V-Ray formats and pipeline integration |
No |
Yes |
Join the community at CGconnect
CGconnect is our central hub where you can connect, share your work, exchange knowledge, and get support. We welcome all Blender users to the platform, even if you aren't using V-Ray, as part of our commitment to a software-agnostic, collaborative community.
Ready to see what V-Ray can do for your Blender projects?
Experience world-class rendering with zero barriers – download V-Ray for Blender Community Edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the V-Ray for Blender Community Edition?
It is a standalone, professional-grade rendering engine provided by Chaos free of charge to the Blender community. It allows users to leverage industry-standard technology within the open-source Blender ecosystem.
How long does the license last, and is it renewable?
The license is valid for 90 days (3 months). You can renew it an unlimited number of times by completing a short survey.
Can I use the Community Edition for commercial work?
Yes, this edition specifically allows for freelance commercial use, including tasks like initial test renders and client concept presentations.
Does it include any 3D assets?
Yes, users get access to over 14,000 high-quality 3D models and materials via the Chaos Cosmos asset library.
Who should use the Community Edition?
It is designed for a wide range of users, including students and beginners learning the software, educators creating course materials, hobbyists, freelancers building portfolios, and add-on developers.