Rendering in SketchUp

1. 
Create a duplicate layer of the rendering. Turn the original render off.
2. 
Mask/select the sky/background on the duplicate render layer and delete it (Fig. 32.15).
3. 
Insert the background image behind the layer (Fig. 32.16).
4. 
Scale and move the image to fit.
5. 
Match and color-correct the background. For many sky images, adjust the Hue/Saturation; 
desaturating and lightening the image usually works well (Fig. 32.17).
6. 
Add haze to the image (Fig. 32.18).
Fig. 32.15: 
The rendered image without a sky background
Fig. 32.16: 
The background image is inserted into the render graphic file in Photoshop.

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Part 7: The Photoshop Postproduction Process
Fig. 32.17: 
The background image is scaled and placed behind the main image layers.
Fig. 32.18: 
The completed image with lawn, hillside, and sky are Photoshopped in place. The lawn and hillside were 
Photoshopped using the methods for realistic vegetation.

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Chapter 32: Detailed Postproduction
Interiors
Interior views that include portals and openings such as doors and windows benefit from 
exterior backgrounds. Effective background use requires you to carefully mask and select 
openings, which will display the background. Background images must match the perspective 
of the drawing and are usually an eye-level view of a street, neighborhood, or city.
1. 
Create a duplicate layer of the rendering. Turn the original render off (Fig. 32.19).
2. 
Carefully select glass and similar openings that look out from the scene where the 
backdrop would appear (Fig. 32.20).
3. 
Copy and place the selection onto a new layer. Adjust the opacity of the layer to 50 per-
cent. Skip this step if the opening does not include glass or other transparent surface.