Enscape Standalone Executable guide: sending presentations to clients without software

For architecture and interior design offices using Enscape, the Standalone Executable export function makes it possible to present a project without the client needing an Enscape license or CAD software on their own computer. According to Chaos's official documentation, this file runs on Windows and is VR-compatible; the export function is not currently supported for Mac.

What is Standalone Executable for?

Standalone Executable is a version of an Enscape project converted into a self-contained .exe file while preserving all its visual quality. The file also runs on a machine without Enscape, Revit, SketchUp, Archicad or Rhino installed. All settings active at the time of export (except Virtual Reality) are included in the file and can be adjusted to a limited extent within the opened .exe, though these changes are not saved.

An important limit: projects over 2GB cannot be compiled. This is a universal file size restriction, not specific to Enscape. For projects exceeding the limit, you need to reduce the geometry/polygon count and texture sizes.

Step by step: creating a local standalone file

In CAD plugins such as Revit, Archicad and Rhino, export is done as follows:

1. Click the 3D Streaming & Standalone Export button.

2. Set the mode to Standalone.

3. If a local copy is desired, enable Save locally and specify the destination folder.

4. Select the views to be exported.

5. Disable Upload to Cloud (only if a local file is desired).

6. Press the Export button.

In the SketchUp plugin, the process is shorter: with Enscape running, open the arrow next to the Export button, select Exe Standalone, specify the destination, and the export begins.

Uploading to Chaos Cloud and sharing

When Upload to Cloud is enabled in the Web Standalone option and a destination Chaos Cloud folder is selected, the export uploads the entire scene (not just specific views). Once uploading is complete, the project can be shared directly with Chaos Organization members via the Share button, a link can be copied for external sharing, the file can be embedded in a web page, or a QR code can be generated for access from a smartphone. The View in Cloud button allows the project to be previewed and commented on within Chaos Cloud.

VR, quality settings and brand customization

When the standalone file is opened, hovering over the semi-transparent tab on the left edge of the screen opens a settings menu, which can be pinned with the pin icon. This menu allows settings to be changed under the Visual, Input, Devices and Performance categories. Virtual reality is enabled with a single click via Settings › Devices › Virtual Reality; the machine being used for viewing must meet Enscape's VR system requirements. According to Chaos's blog post, Enscape currently supports Meta Quest 3 and HTC Vive Pro 2 headsets.

Render quality can be freely adjusted from within the standalone file; this is a practical way to ensure smoothness without having to generate a new .exe if the client's computer has weak hardware. For clients with weak hardware, the Web Standalone alternative can also be considered.

Customization settings active before export (loading screen, watermark, window icon and title) are defined under the Renderer Window Settings › Customization tab and are included in the .exe; this can be used to carry the office's branding into the presentation.

What does this mean for architecture and archviz workflow?

The biggest gain for offices is that the client can navigate the model on their own computer without purchasing an Enscape license or CAD software, which makes it easier to gather feedback more frequently during the design process. However, it should be kept in mind that the client's machine must meet Enscape's system requirements; otherwise, even if the file opens, it may not run smoothly — in this case, a solution can be found by lowering the quality setting or using Web Standalone. VR presentations also require one of the supported headsets, such as Meta Quest 3 or HTC Vive Pro 2.

Common mistakes

• Not marking favorite views before export: The Views menu only appears if there are views starred before export.

• Not checking the project size as it approaches the 2GB limit; the export may fail at the last moment.

• Attempting to export while Enscape is not running (especially in the SketchUp plugin, the export button remains disabled).

• Sending the file without checking the client machine's hardware; compatibility issues can be resolved by sending log files from the %localappdata%\Enscape\Logs folder to the support team.

For those who want to completely uninstall Enscape on Mac, the following command sequence can be used via Terminal (the file name may vary depending on the version specified in the documentation):

cd Downloads

hdiutil attach Enscape-4.1.0.2288.dmg -mountpoint ./enscape_mountpoint

./enscape_mountpoint/Enscape\ Installer.app/Contents/MacOS/Enscape.Installer -gui=0 -auto -uninstallApp="Enscape" -log="/Library/Chaos/Enscape/uninstall/install.log"

hdiutil detach ./enscape_mountpoint