KARLSRUHE, Germany, June 20, 2025 – Chaos has released Corona 13, introducing new features to improve workflow and visual output for architectural visualization. The update expands integration within the Chaos ecosystem, giving users access to AI-based tools enhancing photorealism and streamline scene adjustments. It introduces GPU rendering to improve the processing speed of animations. Additionally, it also includes additional shader options for creating alternative visual styles.
“Corona 13 is a community-driven release. We’ve focused on adding some of the most requested features, such as new artistic choices and new rendering options, and we’ve included AI that was created to work alongside traditional rendering, rather than trying to replace it,” said Tom Grimes, Chaos Corona product manager, Chaos. “Corona users are some of the most creative people in all of archviz, and today’s new features will give them new tools that let them work smarter and with more freedom to meet the specific needs of their clients.”
With the release, Corona 13 users can leverage the power of AI through the Chaos AI Enhancer. Adding realistic digital people and vegetation is an approach to making a digital scene immersive, but both can be time-consuming and technically complex. The Chaos AI Enhancer simplifies the process by allowing users to improve these elements with minimal input, without altering other parts of the design.
Corona 13 brings new rendering options for users working with animated scenes in 3ds Max and Cinema 4D. Designers can choose CPU rendering within Corona for high-quality output or use the Chaos Vantage live link to render with GPU acceleration, supporting ray tracing. The Vantage companion view also allows users to adjust materials, lighting, and geometry in real time, regardless of scene size. Corona users will need a Chaos Vantage license, or they can receive complete access to both Chaos Corona 13, Chaos Vantage and more as part of the new Archviz Collection.
For designers looking to add a unique artistic spin to their designs, Corona 13 is introducing the Toon and Outline shaders. At the touch of a few buttons, users can reimagine their creations with a cartoon-inspired look or break them down to focus on the outline of the objects for an illustrated feel. For designers deciding on materials and colors, or teams looking for an original angle, both options can be selected separately or together, offering freedom to create than ever before.
Update also introduces Scatter Clusters, adding flexibility and control when it comes to populating a scene with details that bring it to life. Users can create rock or flower gardens, natural wild vegetation or any collection of scattered objects by generating clusters based on noise calculations or color maps, while 3ds Max users have the option to use painted layers (Cinema 4D users will receive this feature soon).
Additional Features Include:
- Chaos Cosmos Asset Variations – The Chaos Cosmos asset library offers assets with variant options. Users can choose from a variety of seasonal flora and an assortment of clothing options for 3D people, giving users options to help customize a scene.
- Firefly Removal – Remove pixels (known as fireflies) from animations and scenes with the touch of a button.
- Import .vrscenes from Enscape – Teams working in Chaos Enscape can import .vrscenes into Corona 13 to take advantage of its photorealistic rendering engine (users should have V-Ray installed).
- Thin Film Shader – An option adds iridescence to oily surfaces, anodized metals, dichroic glass and soap bubbles, giving them a realistic rainbow effect.
Chaos Corona 13 – including all new features – is available to try for free for 30 days.
Pricing and Availability
Chaos Corona 13 is available for 3ds Max 2016-2025 (64 bit) on Windows and for Cinema 4D R17-2025 (64 bit) on Windows and Mac. Licenses for Corona 13 are available as part of a monthly or yearly subscription. Corona 13 can also be licensed as part of the Archviz Collection, which includes Corona, Chaos Cosmos content library, Chaos Phoenix, Chaos Player, Chaos Scans, Chaos Vantage and Chaos Anima.
Pricing can be found here.
Source: Chaos
About Chaos
Chaos is a developer of advanced computer graphics software specializing in 3D rendering, real-time visualization, and simulation tools. Founded in 1997 by Peter Mitev and Vladimir Koylazov, the company serves industries such as media, entertainment, architecture, engineering, and construction. Notable products include V-Ray, a renowned rendering engine honored with an Academy Award and an Engineering Emmy, and Enscape, a real-time rendering and virtual reality plugin. Other noteworthy products are Corona, a high-performance photorealistic rendering engine; Anima, a 3D/4D animation software to add realistic people and crowds to visualizations; and Cylindo, a 3D furniture product visualization platform for e-commerce. Headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany, and Sofia, Bulgaria, Chaos has expanded its global presence, employing over 700 professionals across 11 offices worldwide. In 2022, the company merged with Enscape and acquired Cylindo, further broadening its product portfolio. As of January 2025, Chaos reported an annual revenue of approximately $750 million.