> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.d5render.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.d5render.com/d5-lite/lite-user-manual/about-d5-lite.md).

# About D5 Lite

D5 Lite is a real-time rendering plugin embedded in SketchUp, Rhino, and Revit, built for the schematic design phase of architecture, landscape, and interior projects. By bringing rendering into your modeling software, it lets you see real materials and lighting as you model — without leaving the app or waiting for output.

### What It's For

Schematic design is about fast iteration and frequent change. In a traditional workflow, checking a render means exporting the model, switching to a separate rendering tool, and waiting — a fragmented process that breaks your focus. D5 Lite makes seeing the result a natural extension of modeling: adjust a material or place a light, and the image updates instantly, supporting rapid trial-and-error rather than one-off, high-end rendering.Because it is deeply integrated as a plugin, everything in Lite is based on your modeling file, which makes it easy to share within a team and removes repeated import and export steps.

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### Relationship with D5 Render

D5 Lite and D5 Render serve different, complementary roles:

* **D5 Lite**: a lightweight, fast plugin for schematic exploration and real-time preview.
* **D5 Render**: a standalone client for final presentation, animation, and other work that needs careful refinement.

Materials, lights, environment, effects, and proxy assets created in Lite can be synced to D5 Render for further development. Data flows one way (Lite → Render), and your existing settings are preserved when the file is opened in Render.D5 Lite and D5 Render cannot run at the same time; when you start one, you are prompted to close the other.