> 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/real-time-rendering-and-sync.md).

# Real-time Rendering & Sync

As you model, D5 Lite shows the current model's materials, lights, and look in sync. This chapter covers Live Sync, Sync Once, Sync Viewport, and the ways to move your work into D5 Render for further refinement.

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### What the Sync Buttons Act On

D5 Lite is a plugin inside your modeling software. The toolbar's Live Sync, Sync Viewport, and Sync Once buttons are shared: when D5 Lite is running, they act on Lite; when D5 Render is running, they act on D5 Render. Only one of D5 Lite and D5 Render can run at a time — close the active window before switching.

| Current state     | What the toolbar buttons control                             |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| D5 Lite running   | Live Sync, Sync Once, and Sync Viewport for D5 Lite.         |
| D5 Render running | Live Sync, Sync Once, and Sync Viewport for D5 Render.       |
| Neither running   | Sync buttons are disabled; start D5 Lite or D5 Render first. |

<figure><img src="https://d5.feishu.cn/space/api/box/stream/download/asynccode/?code=YmExOTgwMjNjMDVhMGViZjEyOTU2ZTk0MWMzZDU1N2JfcU1iVjAzTjdEaExxZ2tQaUpJb3c5S2VXRk9jajdUcDBfVG9rZW46TWd2bWJPWGhvb09pNWV4M3dzVWN5cTR4bmFlXzE3ODMzMjk4ODM6MTc4MzMzMzQ4M19WNA&#x26;add_watermark=true&#x26;scene_type=CCM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Live Sync and Sync Once

* Live Sync: on by default after Lite opens. Model, material, and light changes in the modeling software are sent to the Lite viewport in real time. Can be turned off manually. In Revit, linked model geometry and materials are also loaded with the sync.
* Sync Once: available when Live Sync is off. Sends only the current changes — useful for a local update or to pause live syncing temporarily. Grasshopper geometry supports Sync Once only, not Live Sync.

### Sync Viewport

After Lite opens, Sync Viewport is on by default: as you move the view in the modeling software, the Lite viewport follows. When off, the Lite and modeling-software views are independent; press 0 to align the Lite viewport with the modeling software's current view.

### Sync to D5 Render

Do your schematic work in Lite; when you need higher quality, animation, or further refinement, move the data into D5 Render. Only "Connect to D5 Render" is real-time; the others are one-time transfers:

| Method                          | How it works                                                                                                                  | Real-time link? |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- |
| Connect / sync to D5 Render     | Close Lite, then start and connect D5 Render; the shared sync buttons now act on Render.                                      | Yes             |
| Open / import the modeling file | Open the modeling file directly in D5 Render, or import it (some formats supported).                                          | No (one-time)   |
| Export .d5a                     | Export a .d5a file from Lite, then open or import it in D5 Render. The exported .d5a does not include lights or proxy assets. | No (one-time)   |