Getting Started

This guide gets you from zero to your first finished render. No design software required — you can use one of the sample images to try it.

1. Create an account

Go to renderahouse.com and sign up. You can log in with Google or an email + password. New accounts start on the Free plan: 1 render + 3 edits per day, refreshed daily. Free renders include a small watermark.

If you need more, see Plans and Pricing.

2. Start a new project

From the dashboard, click New Project in the top-left. You'll land on the upload screen.

Before uploading, you can:

• Save to — pick a folder (default: "No folder") or create a new one inline via New Folder...
• Project name — optional. If you leave it empty, Render a House will generate a name based on what it sees in your image

Three ways to upload:

1. Drag and drop a file onto the big box in the middle
2. Click to upload and pick a file from your computer
3. Use a sample image — scroll down and pick one of the existing thumbnails

Have a 3D model instead of a drawing? Start with 3D Preview to position your model on real satellite terrain and render it from any camera angle.

3. Supported formats and size

• Images: PNG, JPEG, WebP
• 3D models: GLB, GLTF, OBJ (export from Sketchup, Rhino, Blender, etc.)

Max file size: 5 MB. Recommended image size: 2000–3000 px on the longest side.

Once the file is processed, you land in the editor.

4. Pick your render settings

The left panel is where you configure the render. You don't need to touch everything — the defaults are sensible. For your first render:

• Model: pick Pro — it produces the best results and gives the AI the most consistent base to iterate from. Switch to Standard or Fast for fast iterations later
• Time of Day: Noon (default) is neutral; Sunset / Dusk are cinematic for exteriors
• Style: Real photo is the safest for a photorealistic output. For strict fidelity to your drawing, pick a more neutral style and describe realism in the prompt
• Skip Set location, Camera Angle, and References for now — you can always iterate

5. Two ways to render

At the bottom of the settings panel you have two buttons:

• Continue (speech-bubble icon) — opens the chat assistant that asks a short set of questions (time of day, atmosphere, details) with quick-pick buttons and a Skip. Use this when you want guided setup
• Render directly — skips the questions and generates immediately with current settings + an AI-inferred prompt. Use this when you trust the defaults

Either way, the render usually takes ~80 seconds.

For your very first render on a project, Render directly is the quickest way to see output. Once you have something on screen, you can decide whether to generate a new version or edit what you have — see step 7.

6. Hit Render

Click your choice. If you picked Continue, answer each question (or Skip) — the assistant will render a preview once the brief is complete and you confirm.

7. Decide: generate a new version or edit this image

Once a render is on screen, you have two paths:

• Generate a new version — broad changes: different environment, different weather, different style, or a composition the AI got wrong
• Edit this image — local changes: swap a material, remove an object, add a specific element ("add a tree here")

The chat assistant routes you automatically based on what you ask. You can also use the toolbar directly:

• Compare — before/after slider
• Improve quality (Enhance) — higher-resolution version
• Download — as PNG or JPG
• Select area — mask a region for a local edit
• Share — public link

Note: each Render and each edit counts as one credit. Enhance also uses a credit. Failed renders don't charge credits.

What's next

• Learn how Projects and Views are organized
• Dig into choosing a style
• Iterate with Refine and Iterate
• Watch tutorials on our YouTube channel