Rendering in SketchUp

Model Size: The more detail that is visible in a model, the longer it will take to render. 
This is why model organization is paramount. Turning off layers with detailed compo-
nents makes faster render times.
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Render Quality: Every IRP includes quality settings that affect the render output. 
These settings are intended to create draft renders for assessment. The lower the quality, 
the faster the render will be. The highest settings take time and are intended for final 
graphics.
Steps of 
the Iterative 
Rendering Process
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Part 5: The Iterative Rendering Process
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Resolution: Resolution is the measure of the width and height of the render. The higher 
the resolution, the longer the render time will be. To speed up the process, set lower 
resolutions for draft renders.
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Computer Hardware: Computation ability and computer hardware will also affect the 
time it takes for an image to render.
add Initial Values
The first step prepares the model for rendering by applying values defining texture appearance, 
lighting, resolution, and quality (Fig. 20.1). Each of these values must be set prior to rendering. 
Applying all these values leads to step 2. During step 2, these values will be adjusted based on 
the render evaluation.
texture Values
The IRP’s Material menu is used to assign a rendering 
value to all visible textures (Fig. 20.2). The applied 
values set how dull, glossy, shiny, reflective, smooth, 
or coarse the materials will render. Chapter 21 
reviews texture values in detail.
Lighting Settings
Lighting can be set in multiple fashions. The most 
common method is to use the SketchUp Shadow 
menu to set exterior light as outlined in Part 4
(Fig. 20.3). IRPs can substitute SketchUp light 
using image-based lighting, which is discussed in 
Chapter 23. Simulated lights, such as point, spot, 
or IES profile lighting, are common for interiors and 
some exteriors and are reviewed in Chapter 24.
Resolution
Resolution determines the output size of the graphic, 
quality of detail, and render times. The initial 
resolution setting is low to accommodate the first-
draft renders (Fig. 20.4, Fig. 20.5). Resolution is 
examined in Chapter 22.