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

What Is a Large Model?

A large model is any model that experiences performance problems and slowdowns due to the amount of geometry present. SketchUp has thresholds, measured in faces, of how much geometry it can easily display and still function. To find the Face value, select Window ⇒ Model Info menu under Statistics (Fig. 14.2). The total number of faces in the model is listed to the right of the Face value line. Make sure the Show Nested Components box at the top is checked to ensure the Face tally is accurate.

Threshold

Chapter 4 talks about how SketchUp is affected by processor and video cards. The better the processor and video card, the better SketchUp can handle large. The threshold for SketchUp 8 using a recommended computer is around three to five million faces. Beyond that, the model can become unresponsive, even hard to open. This means, even if you are using layers, you should try not to exceed that number. With some exceptions, models achieving such large sizes are those using substantial quantities of three-dimensional vegetation.

Fig. 14.2: The Model Info ⇒ Statistics option displays the sizes of the model. The model contains over 8.5 million faces of geometry, mostly due to the 3D vegetation.

Model Size and Rendering

When first learning to render, try to keep the model sizes no bigger than 500,000 faces. You can render larger models, but they take time and need ...