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

DANIEL TAL, RLA, is a licensed landscape architect who has been working in the architecture and site design industry since 1998. He freelances on a range of projects and consults on technology education and software development. As a SketchUp specialist, he conducts workshops and seminars on 3D modeling, consults on SketchUp-related tools, and beta tests future software releases to ensure that new developments meet the needs of professionals. He is also the author of SketchUp for Site Design and on occasion writes articles for Landscape Architecture magazine.

Acknowledgments ix Part 1 Overview and Concepts Chapter 1: Introduction to Rendering in SketchUp 2 Integrated Rendering Programs 3 Studio Rendering Programs 4 Digital Rendering and Photorealism 5 Using This Book 8 The Software 10 Chapter 2: Contents and Extended Features 14 Companion IRP Chapters 14 Method and Reference Guide 18 Chapter 3: The Rendering Process 23 Create the SketchUp Model 24 The Iterative Rendering Process 28 The Post-Rendering Process 33 Chapter 4: How Rendering Works 35 IRP Render Processing 35 Computer Hardware and Rendering 37 Other Rendering Options 40 Computer Specifications 42 Chapter 5: Learning to Look 45 Rendering as an Art Form 45 Becoming a Student of Light and Color 53 Part 2 Textures Chapter 6: Textures Overview 56 Textures in SketchUp 58 The Texturing Process 63 General Considerations 65 Texture Image Formats 68 Chapter 7: The Texture Library 69 SketchUp Native Textures 70 Web Sources 70 Choosing and Downloading Textures 72 Saving a Texture Library 76 Searching CG Textures 77 Linking the Texture Library 79 Chapter 8: The SketchUp Texture Tools 81 Macintosh Texture Tools 81 PC Texture Tools 82 The Paint Bucket Tool 83 The Styles Menu 95 The Right-Click Texture Menu 98 Chapter 9: Apply, Assess, and Adjust 109 The Three As 109 Apply 111 Assess and Adjust 121 Texture Tips 141 Chapter 10: Editing Textures in an External Photo Editor 146 Linking an Editor to SketchUp 146 Launching, Editing, and Saving 147 Typical Alterations 150 Part 3 Modeling Detail Chapter 11: An Overview of Modeling Detail 168 What Is Detail Modeling? 170 Methods 173 Chapter 12: The Detailing Tools 176 The Component Library 176 The Component Browser 178 Using Layers 181 SketchUp Scenes 186 The Camera Tools 188 Chapter 13: Component Details 193 What Is Component Detail? 193 Premade Components and Textures 197 Premade Component Websites 201 Chapter 14: Organizing the Model 219 What Is a Large Model? 220 Layering Strategy 223 Layer Conventions by Model Typology 226 Cleaning Up Layers 231 Controlling Layers with Scenes 234 Toggling Layers 237 Warning! 241 Chapter 15: Camera Scenes, Composition, and Backdrops 242 Camera Scenes 242 Composition 244 Backdrops 251 Chapter 16: Advanced Detailing 261 Texture Modeling 262 Ruby Scripts for Detailing 276 Part 4 Setting Light with Shadows Chapter 17: The Shadow Menu 290 The SketchUp Shadow Menu 290 Solar North 296 Working with Shadows 297 Troubleshooting Shadows 298 Chapter 18: Composing Light 300 Composing Light Tools 303 Composing Light Strategies 308 Composing the Light 314 Part 5 The Iterative Rendering Process Chapter 19: A Rendering Overview 320 IRP Universal Features 321 Custom Features 325 Chapter 20: Steps of the Iterative Rendering Process 331 Add Initial Values 332 Draft to Final Render 334 Simulated Light Drafts-to-Final Process 343 Chapter 21: Texture Values 351 IRPs and Texture Values 351 Bump Values 354 Surface Condition and Surface Reflection 358 Transparency 364 Texture Categories 365 Troubleshooting Textures 366 Chapter 22: Image Resolution 368 What Is Resolution? 368 Determining DPI 374 Large Resolutions 374 Chapter 23: Exterior Light 375 First Lighting Steps 375 SketchUp Shadows 376 Image-Based Lighting 376 Exposure/Gamma/Intensity 381 Chapter 24: Simulated Lighting 383 Types of Lighting 385 Placing and Editing Lights 394 Render Times 398 General Simulated Light Strategies 399 Part 6 Shaderlight by ArtVPS Chapter 25: Introduction to Shaderlight 412 Menu Overview 414 Secondary Menu 415 Special