Render issues

SketchUp Pro
1

Do I need a paid extension to create a photorealistic image?
I’m using SketchUp Pro 2019 and I don’t really know how to render a image… Can somebody help me?

2

Yes. You would use a rendering extension or a stand alone renderer. Some are commercially available and there are some free ones. There are many to choose from and you’ll probably want to trial a few of them to see what you like. As for which one is best, everyone will tell you the one they use is best. You’ll have to try them.

I use Kerkythea which is a stand alone renderer and is available free. I like it. It works for me. I won’t say it’s the best but there’s nothing wrong with it.

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3

Thank you so much! Have a nice day!

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4

You can of course save the image by exporting it as a 2D file - just in case you didn’t know that.

If you know nothing about rendering or post rendering, I suggest you google about and look for some tutorials.

Personally, I mainly export the edges with no colour, textures or shadows, also I export the shadows with no edges, and also export textures (sometimes), then I stack these files as separate layers in a photo editing program like Affinity Photo or Photoshop etc, change the mode on each layer to multiply and then work on it.

I also own a subscription to Enscape which is a very very easy and excellent rendering plugin engine which does almost everything I need. But that’s just me. There are many. Also do a search on this website for ‘which rendering extension’ keywords and you’ll find a whole universe out there…

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5

I’m using Sketchup Pro 2019 for interior design so I need it to be realistic. But I didn’t realize that I needed a extension to render before I bought the program.
Thank you! I’ll try! Have a nice day.

6

Free rendering options include Twilight, Blender and the Unreal Engine… good luck

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7

And Kerkythea

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8

I’m sorry to bother you but i’m having trouble getting the twilight extension to appear in the sketchup extension manager. I’ve tried to search for the .rbz file but I can’t. Do you know any kind of magic trick to install it?
Sorry again, and thank you so much for your help!

9

Yes it’s not the same install method as most other plugins. (But many differ anyway) …

As far as I can remember you follow the instructions as it says on the Twilight Website download page, and then you might have to go Sketchup View>Toolbars and search for the Twilight toolbar to make it visible. Then you should be good to go. I think?

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10

Two of the most popular and powerful rendering plug ins for Sketchup are V Ray and Maxwell Render.

11

It’s working! Thank you so much for your help!

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12

Thank you, I’ll try those too, for now i’m experimenting a few so I can choose my favorite!

13

my advice would be to NOT instal more than one at a time…

each render extension will have it’s own way of ‘collecting/storing’ data it can use when you hit the render button…

this data tracking can cause issues, even with a single extension…

more than one can lead to far more than twice the issues, including irreversible file corruption…

john

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14

Thank you for the advice!

15

You are only talking about textures, I guess?

The need for realisme can be higher when closing a proposed solution, in the concept phase, clients might be intimidated by the level of realisme, thinking there is nothing left to change!

The level of realisme that SketchUp provides is ideal for the concept phase and can be tweaked to your own needs with the use of different Styles (Create your own with Stylebuilder app)
When modelled correctly, the level of realisme regarding perspectives, Camera position etc. is sometimes more important.

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16

The renders are meant to be on the catalog of the company I work for, so I really need realism.

17

Look at both:

What you have to realize is that rendering is something that is learnt over time with practice, it also requires good modeling (or expensive assets, depending on what you want to do) and really good textures. I am not aware of any one button wonders out there.

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18

Thank you!