If you’re in the design world—whether fashion, industrial, or automotive—a new software is here that could transform the way you bring your visions to life. CAD Software Direct is now offering Stage, a standalone 3D platform designed by Trapdoor Creative, tailored specifically for showcasing, rendering, and collaborating in real-time.
What Sets Stage Apart?
Developed by veterans from Disney Interactive, Pixar, and Nike, Stage integrates seamlessly into your product design pipeline.
Stage is trusted by some huge brand names, like Patagonia and Under Armour, but is also dedicated to freelancers and small startup teams. An individual licence costs just £45 per month (£535 annually), with enterprise licences starting from £150 per month (£1795 annually).
While the Stage 3D rendering software has some incredible tools, like incredibly detailed mockups and realistic lighting options, the interface is intuitive and easy to use. Plus, they have a library of training videos to help you learn the software and get the perfect final result.
The software doesn’t even need expensive hardware to run, either. The minimum specs needed are:
- OS – Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor – Quad-core Intel or AMD, 2.5 GHz or faster
- Memory – 8GB
- Graphics Card – NVidia 2080ti or newer, 16+GB VRAM
Our Favourite Features
Our CAD experts have been testing Stage over the last few weeks and experimenting with different options.
Here’s a quick overview of our favourite Stage features.
High-Quality Textures and Materials
Stage’s built-in and downloadable material packs simplify the creation of stunning visuals. We particularly like the glass rendering. Stage makes getting great-looking glass effortless.
You can also import your maps—colour, bump, specular, and normal—and tweak them within the engine to achieve the exact look you desire, whether that’s adding gloss for a shiny finish or roughness for a matte effect.
Expansive Downloadable Content
Stage’s downloadable content (DLC) offerings extend your creative possibilities. Beyond basic textures, you can access full scenes and MetaHumans, making it a versatile tool for any design scenario.
Imagine yourself needing a unique backdrop for a new product line. You could get one from the library and make changes yourself, or the Stage team can even custom-create assets tailored to your project.
Realistic Lighting and Camera Control
The lighting options in Stage adapt to any scene. From natural sunlight to controlled studio settings, the flexibility is unmatched. These different sets allow you to have much greater control over the shadows and lighting.
The camera and VFX settings add layers of realism—perfect for creating the illusion of a photoshoot on a sunlit beach or a moody industrial setting. There are different types of lens flairs and vignettes to really bring the setting to life. Plus, you can set the focal distance to change the depth of field.
These settings make Stage the perfect option for designing products, capturing product photography, designing images for marketing campaigns, or creating beautiful presentations to win over that next client.
Efficient Rendering Options
Efficiency is key for designers in small businesses or startups. Stage’s settings menu caters to low-spec and high-spec computers, allowing you to adjust the quality to match your computer’s capabilities as you work.
Plus, the batch rendering feature saves valuable time – set up your renders and let Stage do the work while you focus on other tasks.
Who Is Stage For?
Stage is a versatile product visualisation software designed to meet the specific needs of professionals across various design disciplines. It’s brilliant for fashion designers, product designers, and industrial designers to create merchandise and present their products to their clients.
Stage is more than a tool for designers looking to elevate their workflow and efficiently produce stunning, realistic 3D representations—it’s an essential partner in the creative process. Buy Stage today on CAD Software Direct.