With pCon.planner 8.15, you can integrate AI rendering directly into your existing design workflow. You no longer need to export your designs to a separate AI tool; instead, you can work entirely within a single environment.
By linking pCon.planner to OpenRouter, you gain access to powerful AI models that let you refine renders or generate entirely new images. Think atmospheric lighting, realistic materials, decor, people, or a completely new environment. This way, you spend less time on post-processing and more time designing.
What is AI rendering?
AI rendering is the use of artificial intelligence to enhance an existing render or image, or to generate a completely new visualization. Instead of spending hours manually adjusting details, AI uses smart image models to make your design more realistic, atmospheric, and compelling.
With AI rendering, you can, for example:
- make an existing render more realistic
- adjust lighting, materials, and colors
- add decor or people
- use a street scene or existing environment as a background
- show different design variations
- create a quick mood board or concept visualization
- create photorealistic presentations
This gives your client a much better idea of the result, leading to faster decision-making and easier design approval.
What can you do with AI rendering in pCon.planner?
The AI functionality in pCon.planner 8.15 offers much more than just improving renders. You can use it in various ways throughout your design process.
For example, you can:
- create a generative image based on the active viewport
- send a render directly from the Image window to the AI interface
- upload an existing image or floor plan and have it enhanced with AI
- generate an image based solely on a text prompt
- adjust materials, lighting, and camera style
- quickly create concept sketches or mood boards
- present different color, material, or lighting options
As a result, AI becomes not only a tool for the final presentation but also a valuable resource throughout the entire design process.
Why use AI renders?
A good design only truly sells itself when a client can visualize what the space will look like. AI rendering helps with that. For example, use AI to display different material options side by side, explore alternative colors, or instantly add more ambiance to a space. You can present variations much faster without having to completely remodel or render every change from scratch.
This offers several advantages:
- clients understand your design more quickly
- decisions are made more easily
- your presentations look more professional
- you save time during the design process
- you increase the likelihood of a faster commission or approval
In addition, the images are ideal for presentations, proposals, portfolios, and social media.
How does AI rendering work in pCon.planner 8.15?
To use AI rendering, you need to connect pCon.planner to OpenRouter once. Already have an OpenRouter account? Simply add your API key to pCon.planner and you can get started right away. If you don’t have an account yet, create one, add at least $5 in credit, and generate your personal API key.
Next, choose the AI model that best suits your needs:
- Nano Banana – ideal for quick concepts and initial ideas
- Nano Banana 2 – the best balance between speed and quality for everyday use
- Nano Banana Pro – suitable for high-quality presentations and photorealistic renders
OpenRouter operates on a pay-per-use model. This means you only pay for the images you generate; no subscription is required. A standard render with Nano Banana 2 costs less than ten cents on average. In addition, registration and payments are handled entirely through OpenRouter. As a result, your personal payment information is not stored in pCon.planner.
View the complete step-by-step guide here on how to active the feature in pCon.planner.
AI prompts for better renders
The quality of an AI render starts with a good prompt. The more clearly you describe what you want to see, the better the result will be. Think not only about materials or colors, but also about lighting, camera angle, atmosphere, and desired style.
To help you get started quickly, we have compiled a collection of sample prompts that you can use right away or customize for your own projects. View all sample prompts here.
Furthermore, you can also check out the Google Cloud Prompting guide to Nano Banana.
Want to see AI rendering in action?
During our webinar, we demonstrated step by step how to use AI in pCon.planner 8.15. You can learn how to enhance renders, create variations, and make smart use of AI during the design process. Watch the recording here:
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More InformationReady to explore?
Start using the free standard version of pCon.planner right away or learn more about the PRO version via the buttons below.
If you are already a pCon.planner PRO or ME user, we ask that you wait to download the newest version until you receive the dialog prompt from pCon.planner informing you of an auto-update.
Want to dive deeper?
You will find more information about the new function in the Help Center. Also visit our YouTube channel, where a range of helpful tutorials are available, and subscribe to the pCon blog in the footer to stay up to date.
Your pCon Team