Rendering in SketchUp

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Chapter 3: The Rendering Process
Fig. 3.11: 
The Iterative Rendering 
Process flowchart
Fig. 3.13: 
The Material menus (shown in SketchUp) for SU Podium v2, Shaderlight, and Twilight Render v1
Fig. 3.12: 
Highlight of IRP value process

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Part 1: Overview and Concepts
Lighting 
As previously noted, each individual IRP references the SketchUp Shadow menu to determine 
lighting. The IRPs adjust the exposure and further refine the lighting quality. The settings 
allow for a dynamic range of illumination (Fig. 3.14). IRPs handle simulated lighting from 
bulbs, fixtures, and lights in various ways, but the approach is similar across the applications. 
Fig. 3.14: 
Lighting menus (shown in SketchUp) for SU Podium, Shaderlight, and Twilight Render
Quality and Output Resolution 
The size and quality of an image is determined by the IRP (Fig. 3.15). These settings are used to 
generate draft and final renders, which are key to the iterative process. The rendering quality 
determines how refined the final rendering will appear. Each IRP allows for a wide range of 
output resolutions, including standard and custom sizes. 
The Iterative Process
Every IRP has a Render button that starts, generates, and allows you to save a rendering. 
Your rendering is displayed on the screen while it is being processed, which will allow you to 
monitor the progress.
Rendering images is a repetitive and iterative process. For any given rendering, multiple 
drafts will need to be produced and lighting and textures will need to be adjusted (Fig. 3.16). 
The iterative process allows you to quickly assess an image so you can make these changes. 
Part 5 reviews the process in detail. 

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