"With D5, we no longer need to juggle multiple tools. One model, one tool, and we can do everything—animations, stills, revisions—faster and more affordably."‍

— Arman Arisman, Technology Manager, Penta Architecture

Key Takeaways:

• D5 Render replaced multiple tools, enabling Penta to streamline its workflow and produce both stills and animations from a single model.
• Real-time rendering and AI tools drastically reduced turnaround time, allowing small teams to meet tight government deadlines with frequent revisions.
• D5’s scalability and collaboration features empowered Penta to deliver more without increasing headcount, cutting costs while maintaining quality.

Studio Overview:

• ‍Location: Indonesia
• ‍Team Size: ~130 employees, including 4 dedicated 3D artists
• ‍Studio Type: Full-service planning and design consultancy (Architecture, Structure, MEP)
• ‍Project Types: Government and public sector projects—airports, hospitals, stadiums, government offices
• ‍Modeling Tools: SketchUp and Revit

1. Strategic Shift in Visualization

In 2023, after years using separate tools for stills and animation, Penta Architecture shifted to D5 Render. Their legacy workflow—SketchUp/Revit for modeling, V-Ray for still images, and Twinmotion for motion work—was visually capable but operationally heavy. The transition to D5 streamlined all stages of visualization into a single real-time platform.

This shift didn’t merely speed up rendering—it fundamentally reshaped how Penta wins tenders, maintains quality, manages workload, and scales its capabilities sustainably.

2. Project Context: Ministry Office in Indonesia's new capital city (IKN)

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As part of Indonesia’s new capital city (IKN), Penta was commissioned to deliver the Wing 2 office building for the Ministry of Public Works—a 66,783 m² development on a 36,418 m² site. This project required full-spectrum delivery: architectural design, structural planning, and engineering, all under tight deadlines and shifting stakeholder requirements.

Penta used D5 Render in each project phase with high-quality, real-time visuals that kept pace with rapid revisions. Two core team members—an architect and a 3D artist—produced visuals in just a few days per cycle, ensuring continuous alignment with the evolving design.

3. Pre-D5 Workflow Challenges

Before adopting D5 Render, Penta used V-Ray for still images and Twinmotion for animations. This dual-tool setup led to several inefficiencies:

• ‍Double the work: Teams had to export and manage models separately for stills and animations.
• ‍Slow rendering: V-Ray's rendering times were long, making last-minute changes difficult.
• ‍Limited post-production control: Twinmotion lacked render element exports, hindering quality in post-processing.
• ‍High software and hardware costs: Existing tools were more expensive and required powerful PCs to operate efficiently.

4. New Workflow with D5 Render

Penta Architecture uses D5 Render across the full project lifecycle—from tender submission to construction. At competition stage, architects and visualisers collaborate within a single model to refine concepts and produce up to 10 stills and a short animation, meeting tight deadlines with visual consistency.

Once the project is secured, the design team moves into technical development while visual updates continue in D5. Its real-time capabilities support rapid iterations and coordination. During construction, updated D5 visuals are included in project documentation to keep all stakeholders aligned with the approved design intent..

5. D5 in Practice: Workflow Gains with Business Impact

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D5 Render has streamlined Penta Architecture’s workflow, addressing key pain points and delivering measurable benefits across speed, quality, and efficiency.

5.1 Faster Feedback, Quicker Revisions

D5’s real-time rendering and AI-assisted tools have dramatically shortened feedback loops. Previously, minor revisions required time-consuming re-renders with V-Ray. Now, near-final results are previewed live during meetings. AI tools for lighting and material adjustment reduce trial-and-error, empowering faster, more confident decision-making.

"Using D5 compared to V-Ray really helped us deliver images faster. Now we can meet quantity, quality, and tight deadlines."

Also read: AI Rendering Revolution: D5 2.11's Smart Tools for Designers

5.2 Enhanced Post-Production

The ability to export render passes—reflections, lighting, shadows—has transformed post-production. Unlike Twinmotion, D5 enables faster creation of polished visuals, a must for government submissions where both clarity and realism matter.

"Now even architects can render by themselves if the 3D team is at full capacity. That was impossible before."

5.3 Speedy Scene Assembly

With its vast asset library, D5 allows teams to quickly populate large environments without custom modeling. From civic offices to airports, scenes are assembled faster, allowing focus on architectural expression.

5.4 Built-In Flexibility

D5 is optimised for performance, even on modest hardware. In one case, when a rendering PC failed mid-project, output continued on a standard workstation—something prior tools couldn’t support. This reliability ensures continuity under pressure.

5.5 Real-Time Collaboration

As projects scaled up, Penta adopted the D5 Teams licence. Multiple 3D artists now collaborate on a shared model in real time, reducing version conflicts and accelerating delivery during high-stakes proposal phases.

Also read: Real-time Collaborative 3D Design & Visualization for Architects

5.6 Measurable Outcomes

Renderings that once took up to two weeks now take just two to three days. Faster delivery means Penta can respond quickly to late-stage tender invitations and design changes. Cost-wise, D5’s licensing is more affordable than alternatives like Lumion, with reduced hardware demands.

More than a visualisation tool, D5 has become a strategic asset—empowering architects, cutting production time, and enabling scalable project delivery in a fast-moving, competitive sector.

6. Advice to Growing Studios

Arman noted that clarity about client expectations is essential. “Government clients value realism and constructability, while private clients often prioritise visual appeal,” he says. Choosing a rendering platform that can meet both demands has been vital for Penta.

By adopting D5, the studio significantly reduced production time without compromising on output quality. Arman points to practical features—like mapping export and AI-powered lighting and materials—as key to managing lean budgets while maintaining a polished standard. The result? A workflow that scales under pressure, without expanding the team.

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