V - Ray
As a foundational pillar in photorealistic rendering, Chaos’s V-Ray initiated a profound transformation in the architectural visualization and visual effects worlds upon its release in the late 1990s. It single-handedly democratized high-end rendering by migrating the technology from slow, proprietary systems to a highly accessible and integrated plugin for personal computers. This pivotal shift dismantled previous barriers, placing studio-quality lighting and material tools into the hands of countless artists and designers globally.