Rendering in SketchUp

SketchUp Background
This is the default option. The rendering will reference the SketchUp Style menu (Window 
F
Styles 
F
Edit 
F
Background Settings), causing the SketchUp Sky color to display in the 
rendering (Fig. 28.14). If no sky is set in the background, the sky will render white.
Lighting Environment
The rendering will display the image of the specified HDRI option (Fig. 28.15). You can determine 
this using the Preset, Moofe, or custom settings as discussed. For example, if Preset 
F
London 
Morning is selected, the actual HDRI photo will display. However, this might not always yield 
the results you want, as shown in the example (Fig. 28.16). In these cases, use the Custom 
feature as outlined next.
Custom
The Custom option allows you to insert images with various image formats (Fig. 28.17). These 
images will appear in the background of the rendering. Exterior renderings benefit from sky 
and cloud, city backdrops, and similar photos.
Fig. 28.14: 
The Sky option is checked in the 
SketchUp Style menu, causing the sky to ren-
der in blue.
Fig. 28.15: 
Setting Lighting Environment will cause 
the HDRI image to be exposed in the background of 
the render.

---

459
Chapter 28: Shaderlight Exterior Lighting and Backdrops
Fig. 28.16: 
The London Morning HDRI is exposed in the background. However, that is not the desired result.
Fig. 28.17: 
Using the Background
F
Custom option, you can insert your own image background that will 
appear when the model is rendered.

---

460
Part 6: Shaderlight by ArtVPS
Background Brightness
Once a background is inserted or revealed,
the Background Brightness needs to be set 
(Fig. 28.18). This value exposes the image. The 
goal is to match the exposure of the background 
to the rendering itself (Fig. 28.19). The value 
will usually start at a base of 1 and range to 3.5. 
The type of image being used determines the 
brightness value.
Background Brightness can be adjusted dur-
ing the draft-rendering process. This allows the 
brightness to be assessed dynamically, similarly 
to the way HDRI settings are assessed.
Fig. 28.18: 
The inserted custom background will 
need to use a Brightness value set to match the 
overall lighting of the rendering.