Rendering in SketchUp

DANIEL TAL, RLA, is a licensed landscape architect who has been working in the architecture and site design industry since 1998. He freelances on a range of projects and consults on technology education and software development. As a SketchUp specialist, he conducts workshops and seminars on 3D modeling, consults on SketchUp-related tools, and beta tests future software releases to ensure that new developments meet the needs of professionals. He is also the author of SketchUp for Site Design and on occasion writes articles for Landscape Architecture magazine.

• Acknowledgments ixPart 1 Overview and ConceptsChapter 1: Introduction to Rendering in SketchUp 2Integrated Rendering Programs 3Studio Rendering Programs 4Digital Rendering and Photorealism 5Using This Book 8The Software 10Chapter 2: Contents and Extended Features 14Companion IRP Chapters 14Method and Reference Guide 18Chapter 3: The Rendering Process 23Create the SketchUp Model 24The Iterative Rendering Process 28The Post-Rendering Process 33Chapter 4: How Rendering Works 35IRP Render Processing 35Computer Hardware and Rendering 37Other Rendering Options 40Computer Specifications 42Chapter 5: Learning to Look 45Rendering as an Art Form 45Becoming a Student of Light and Color 53Part 2 TexturesChapter 6: Textures Overview 56Textures in SketchUp 58The Texturing Process 63General Considerations 65Texture Image Formats 68Chapter 7: The Texture Library 69SketchUp Native Textures 70Web Sources 70Choosing and Downloading Textures 72Saving a Texture Library 76Searching CG Textures 77Linking the Texture Library 79Chapter 8: The SketchUp Texture Tools 81Macintosh Texture Tools 81PC Texture Tools 82The Paint Bucket Tool 83The Styles Menu 95The Right-Click Texture Menu 98Chapter 9: Apply, Assess, and Adjust 109The Three As 109Apply 111Assess and Adjust 121Texture Tips 141Chapter 10: Editing Textures in an External Photo Editor 146Linking an Editor to SketchUp 146Launching, Editing, and Saving 147Typical Alterations 150Part 3 Modeling DetailChapter 11: An Overview of Modeling Detail 168What Is Detail Modeling? 170Methods 173Chapter 12: The Detailing Tools 176The Component Library 176The Component Browser 178Using Layers 181SketchUp Scenes 186The Camera Tools 188Chapter 13: Component Details 193What Is Component Detail? 193Premade Components and Textures 197Premade Component Websites 201Chapter 14: Organizing the Model 219What Is a Large Model? 220Layering Strategy 223Layer Conventions by Model Typology 226Cleaning Up Layers 231Controlling Layers with Scenes 234Toggling Layers 237Warning! 241Chapter 15: Camera Scenes, Composition, and Backdrops 242Camera Scenes 242Composition 244Backdrops 251Chapter 16: Advanced Detailing 261Texture Modeling 262Ruby Scripts for Detailing 276Part 4 Setting Light with ShadowsChapter 17: The Shadow Menu 290The SketchUp Shadow Menu 290Solar North 296Working with Shadows 297Troubleshooting Shadows 298Chapter 18: Composing Light 300Composing Light Tools 303Composing Light Strategies 308Composing the Light 314Part 5 The Iterative Rendering ProcessChapter 19: A Rendering Overview 320IRP Universal Features 321Custom Features 325Chapter 20: Steps of the Iterative Rendering Process 331Add Initial Values 332Draft to Final Render 334Simulated Light Drafts-to-Final Process 343Chapter 21: Texture Values 351IRPs and Texture Values 351Bump Values 354Surface Condition and Surface Reflection 358Transparency 364Texture Categories 365Troubleshooting Textures 366Chapter 22: Image Resolution 368What Is Resolution? 368Determining DPI 374Large Resolutions 374Chapter 23: Exterior Light 375First Lighting Steps 375SketchUp Shadows 376Image-Based Lighting 376Exposure/Gamma/Intensity 381Chapter 24: Simulated Lighting 383Types of Lighting 385Placing and Editing Lights 394Render Times 398General Simulated Light Strategies 399Part 6 Shaderlight by ArtVPSChapter 25: Introduction to Shaderlight 412Menu Overview 414Secondary Menu 415Special Features 415Chapter 26: Shaderlight Iterative Rendering Settings 418The Render Settings Menu 418Dynamic Preview and Saving 422Draft-to-Final Settings 424Chapter 27: Shaderlight Texture Settings 430Apply Texture Values 430Texture Value Descriptions 432Texture Settings Categories 437Glass and Water Material Values 442Chapter 28: Shaderlight Exterior Lighting and Backdrops 449SketchUp Dark Slider 450Physical Sky 451HDRI Lighting 452Background and Backdrops 458Chapter 29: Shaderlight Simulated Lighting 461Shaderlight Lighting Options 462Light Editor 468Shaderlight Render Settings 469Quality Settings 470Lighting Settings 470Postproduction 478Chapter 30: Shaderlight Special Features 481Batch Rendering 481ReplaceMe 487Chalk Rendering 490Part 7 The Photoshop Postproduction ProcessChapter 31: Postproduction Effects 496Methods 498Light and Color 500Effects 511Chapter 32: Detailed Postproduction 519Realistic Vegetation 519Architecture Photo Placement 524Backgrounds/Backdrops 526Part 8 Anatomy of a RenderingChapter 33: Building the Base Model 536Chapter Relationships 537The Base Model 538Solid Color to Surfaces 539Base Model Extrusion 541Solid Colors Swapped with Textures 542Chapter 34: Building Detail 545Chapter 35: Interior Detail 552Interior Base Model 552Interior Detailing 557Chapter 36: Site Detail 565Chapter 37: Scenes 573Cleaning Up the Layer List 573Off/On Scenes 574Specific Control Scenes 575Camera View Scenes 578Chapter 38: Setting Light with Shadows 581Chapter 39: The Iterative Rendering Process for Exterior Scenes 587Chapter 40: The Iterative Rendering Process for Interior Scenes 605Chapter 41: Postproduction of Exterior Scene 620Index 624