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

Chalk Rendering

A chalk rendering, sometimes called clay rendering in other rendering programs, produces an image without any texture. A chalk render highlights the light and dark values on surfaces and cast shadows, creating ambient occlusion (Fig. 30.15). Chalk renders can be used to display the space, structure, and form of a rendering without the distraction of other details.

Fig. 30.15: A chalk rendering in Shaderlight

Chalk renders make ideal overlays to enhance a rendering during the post-production process. Overlaying a chalk render over a normal rendered view will help enhance shadows and contrast to provide greater depth. This method is reviewed in Chapter 31.

To create a clay render, follow these steps:

1. Select Chalk Render from the Lighting menu in the Shaderlight Render Settings menu (Fig. 30.16).

Fig. 30.16: Select Chalk Render from the Shaderlight Render Settings menu under Lighting and then select a Shadow Range.

2. Set the resolution. If you are going to use the chalk render as an overlay, make sure the settings match the resolution and camera view of the full rendered graphic (Fig. 30.17).

3. Set Update to Auto and Quality to 60 percent. This enables the dynamic preview so alterations can be made as needed (Fig. 30.17).

Fig. 30.17: Complete Chalk Render ...