How do I make my renders look realistic?

Extending SketchUp V-Ray for SketchUp
1

Hi all,

I’m back designing on sketchup after taking a while off so it’s like learning again from scratch.

The goal is to use sketchup/vray for kitchen/bathroom designs, so I’d like to find a kind of preset of lighting + render settings that I can apply to my designs that I know will look good.

I’ve watched loads of videos & courses but my renders keep coming out not great.

This is the link to my most recent render and sketchup file(the render originally had a background with the dome light but it didn’t provide much light and looked quite fake)

What am I missing doing to get these hyper realistic renders?

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@ophxllia :
I’m not into rendering but know that the people who are are going to ask you for your V-ray setttings/ presets..
Screenshot those and share them here. It will get you faster results..

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Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 10.23.36 AM
Screenshot 2025-12-11 at 10.23.36 AM1172×834 338 KB

https://learn.sketchup.com/courses/v-ray-interiors

Have you taken my course? I cover all of the issues marked up here in your view:

  1. Level of detail - need high polygon counts for curves, entourage, etc.
  2. Lighting - too uniform. bring that HDRI back in or try a bunch of other options. Use Light Gen for quick alternatives to test. Or just play with default sun and sky until the angle/brightness feels right. Test a light coming in from the right as well so there’s more than just the overhead and under cabinet lights.
  3. Materials - Feels flat. Needs corner bump map for subtle highlights and more reflectivity - will help more when light sources are dialed in better.
  4. Entourage - add a few more items to make the space feel lived in. Don’t forget small accents and details like outlets or appliances.
  5. Render Settings - use Denoiser. Add lends effects. Lower highlight burn…all of these things can be done in the Frame Buffer settings after rendering.

All of the above is covered in the course :wink: The bones are there…it’s now about the ‘polish’.

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I forgot to address this question directly. There is no ‘preset’ button or setting to enable. Once you get a majority of your settings dialed in to this model the way you like, you can save a copy of it, delete and purge all the geometry, then save the blank SU file as a Template. This template will remember your V-Ray settings (render output, channels, denoiser, ambient occlusion, etc) so at least, you won’t have to re-do all the little Asset Editor setup steps with each new model.

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Thanks for your help, I’ll take a look at the course!

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I benefited a lot from educk’s explanation of V Ray Settings (see youtube link) https://youtu.be/3IZ44a70BPw?si=G-6Qlo4qeyX7l013 I appreciate the way she breaks down her topics and her pace. Not trying to step on anyone’s toes, just sharing what’s helped me. What’s your goal in generating your renders?