Rendering in SketchUp: From Modeling to Presentation for Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design

Chapter 20

Steps of the Iterative Rendering Process

No initial rendering will ever look correct. By following the iterative rendering process, you will be able to produce rendered images in a coherent and speedy fashion. You will need to refine the model and the associated texture and lighting values to achieve the best possible output. The iterative rendering process entails two general steps:

1. Values are applied to textures, lighting, render quality, and render resolution.

2. A series of draft image renders are generated, steadily leading to the final image.

Rendering can be a time-consuming process. You’ll spend lots of time waiting for the computer to complete an image. Understanding the factors that affect rendering times will help you determine the best iterative rendering process for your specific needs. You can control such factors to shorten the duration of a rendering. Quickly produced renders serve as drafts that allow users to evaluate textures, adjust lighting and cameras, make modifications, and run additional draft renderings.

The following factors affect the length of time it takes to render an image. All of these factors can be controlled, shortening or lengthening render times.

• Exterior versus Simulated Light:Exterior light produced from SketchUp Shadow menu lighting or image-based lighting will render faster than simulated lights such as area, point, spot, and IES profile lights. Models with simulated lights should use exterior lighting for the initial ...