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

Computer Hardware and Rendering

The IRP render engines use complex mathematical algorithms to simulate light (ray tracing) and generate an image, which requires a considerable amount of computer resources to accomplish. The type of computer hardware utilized directly affects the speed of the rendering.

The Computer Processor

The most important computer component that determines rendering speed is the central processing unit (CPU). More commonly referred to as the processor, the CPU affects stages 2 and 3 of the rendering progression.

Processor count is analogous to the number of cylinders in a car engine: the more cylinders, the more powerful the engine and the faster the car can go. The more processors your computer has, the faster renderings will be completed (Fig. 4.4).

Fig. 4.4: Processors can be compared to car engines.

Generally speaking, each additional processor halves the rendering time. If a render takes one hour with a single processor, it will take 30 minutes with two, 15 minutes with four, and 10 minutes with six. The differences are significant.

Multiprocessing

Multiple-core processing computers have become standard. Currently, computers come with dual-core (2), quad-core (4), or six-core (6) processors. The number of processors used can be expected to continue to increase.

However, more processers do cost more money. The cost for a decent quad-core rendering ...