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

Simulated Light Drafts-to-Final Process

Using point, area, spot, and IES profile lighting, simulated light illuminates a model similarly to real-world illumination with lamps, bulbs, and fixtures. Even when using lower settings, models with simulated lights take longer to render. Also, the more lights there are, the longer the render takes. Trying to evaluate a model’s textures during the initial draft set with simulated lights would take much longer than necessary. Using exterior lighting is far more efficient.

In this section, you’ll learn a modified approach to the draft render sets intended for simulated light renders (Fig. 20.19). Refer back to the corresponding descriptions when you use these modified settings.

Initial Draft Renders for Simulated Lighting

For the initial drafts, do not add any simulated lights to the model. In fact, make sure that none are present. If any are, the method won’t work (Fig. 20.20). Instead, use exterior lighting (SketchUp Shadow menu) to provide light. For interior models, ensure that the roof is on its own layer and keep that layer turned off. This will allow light to be cast into the scene. Using the SketchUp Shadow menu, set the light. Make sure the model has good contrast and abundant light hitting surfaces (Fig. 20.21).

Run the draft renders and evaluate the texture character and surfaces. Adjust the textures, and rerun the drafts until the textures are the way you want them (Fig. 20.22).

Fig. 20.19: Modified draft-to-final render process ...