Rendering in SketchUp

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Chapter 14: Organizing the Model
Fig. 14.8: 
All the components in this interior model are placed on layers with corre-
sponding, straightforward names.
Vegetation Layers
Every vegetation type—be it shrub, tree, perennial, annual, or vine—must have its own layer. 
For example, if five tree types are in the model, you should create five layers, placing each type 
on a separate layer. Any copies of the tree type will automatically be placed on the same layer. 
Site models frequently have 15 or more layers devoted to plants. 
Here are some suggestions for vegetation layer names. This naming convention will keep 
species organized by type and include the vegetation name (Fig. 14.9). If the vegetation is 
generic, use a number instead. 
3
3
00 - TREES -
[species name, i.e., 
OAKS
] or 
00 - TREES - 01
, 
00 - TREES - 02
, etc.
3
3
00 - SHRUBS -
[species name, i.e., BUSH] or 
00 - SHRUBS - 01
, 
00 - SHRUBS – 02
, etc.
3
3
00 - PERENNIALS -
[species name, i.e., AGAVE] or 
00 - PERENNIALS - 01
,
00 - PERENNIALS – 02
, etc.
3
3
00 - ANNUALS - 
[species name–, i.e., BEGONIA] or 
00 - ANNUALS - 01
,
00 - ANNUALS – 02
, etc.

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226
Part 3: Modeling Detail
Fig. 14.9: 
The vegetation in the model is categorized by type. Each shrub, tree, and 
perennial type has its own layer.
Layer Conventions by Model typology
Each of the three model typologies (interior, site, and architecture) benefit from different 
layers approaches. In tandem with the points already discussed, keep your model organized 
and functional.