Artificial intelligence is quickly making its way into the architectural visualization space. From concept imagery to mood studies, AI rendering tools promise faster workflows and instant visuals—but how well do they actually perform when applied to real architectural models?

To better understand their capabilities (and limitations), we recently tested two different AI rendering approaches:

• ArkoAI, a plugin integrated directly into Revit
• LookX, a web-based AI rendering platform

This post isn’t meant to crown a “winner,” but rather to document a hands-on exploration of how these tools function, how intuitive they are to use, and where they may—or may not—fit into an architectural workflow.

The Experiment

Both tools were tested using existing 3D views, with the goal of generating quick visualizations to explore overall vibe and material direction—not polished, final renderings. The same general prompts and expectations were applied to each platform to keep the comparison grounded.

ArkoAI (Revit Plugin)

ArkoAI is a plugin that lives directly inside Revit, which immediately makes it appealing from a workflow perspective. The idea of generating AI-assisted visuals without leaving the modeling environment is compelling.

After downloading the plugin, I typed a prompt describing the desired architectural style and context. However, the initial results were underwhelming.

What didn’t work well:

• Several elements described in the prompt—particularly landscaping and site features—did not translate into the render
• Some materials on the house itself felt inaccurate or off from the intended design
• Key aspects of the prompt seemed to be ignored entirely

Overall, the experience felt unintuitive. It’s very possible that ArkoAI requires a deeper understanding of how prompts should be structured, or that additional settings need to be adjusted for better results. Without tutorials or prior experience, simply downloading the plugin and experimenting did not yield successful outcomes.

That said, ArkoAI still feels like a tool with potential. With time, training, and a better grasp of its capabilities, it could become a useful part of a professional workflow—but it is not an immediate plug-and-play solution.

LookX (Web-Based Platform)

LookX is an online platform that operates on a credit-based system. While credits can be purchased, the platform does offer opportunities to earn free credits—such as completing a short survey—which made initial testing accessible.

At first glance, LookX can feel intimidating. The interface includes numerous options for image rendering, video generation, and style manipulation. However, once inside the image workflow, it became much easier to navigate.

Image Upload + Prompt Testing

I uploaded a 3D view and used a written prompt to describe the desired architectural style and materials. Compared to ArkoAI, LookX read and responded to the prompt far more accurately. The results were strong as quick concept visuals and did a good job conveying overall mood and direction.

That said, there were still limitations:

• The AI occasionally changed or added elements that were not part of the original design
• Some results felt slightly funky or overly interpretive

Upload Style Image Testing

Next, I tested LookX’s ability to reference an inspiration image by uploading a style photo with materials and design cues I wanted reflected in the render.

This feature performed well in terms of extracting general qualities—materials, tones, and architectural language—but at times it was too literal. In one instance, purple hues from lavender flowers in the inspiration image were transferred directly onto stone and window casings in the render.

While not perfect, the process was fast, intuitive, and easy to iterate.

Key Takeaways

After testing both tools, a few clear distinctions emerged:

• Ease of use: LookX was quicker to understand and produce usable results
• Learning curve: ArkoAI appears to require more time, training, and experimentation
• Speed to visualization: LookX excels at rapid mood and vibe studies
• Workflow potential: ArkoAI could be powerful once properly learned, especially due to its Revit integration

Neither tool replaces traditional rendering or thoughtful architectural design—but both can serve as early-stage exploration tools.

Final Thoughts

AI rendering tools are best viewed as supplements, not solutions. They can be helpful for testing ideas, exploring material directions, or communicating an early concept, but they still require architectural judgment, refinement, and intent.

For now, LookX feels more accessible and immediately useful, while ArkoAI shows promise as a longer-term investment for those willing to commit time to learning it properly.

As AI continues to evolve, we’ll keep exploring these tools thoughtfully—testing where they add value and recognizing where traditional design processes remain irreplaceable.