Rendering in SketchUp

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Chapter 20: Steps of the Iterative Rendering Process
Fig. 20.18: 
The resolution and quality were adjusted to final settings to produce the final rendering.
Simulated Light Drafts-to-Final Process
Using point, area, spot, and IES profile lighting, simulated light illuminates a model similarly 
to real-world illumination with lamps, bulbs, and fixtures. Even when using lower settings, 
models with simulated lights take longer to render. Also, the more lights there are, the longer 
the render takes. Trying to evaluate a model’s textures during the initial draft set with 
simulated lights would take much longer than necessary. Using exterior lighting is far more 
efficient.
In this section, you’ll learn a modified approach to the draft render sets intended for simu-
lated light renders (Fig. 20.19). Refer back to the corresponding descriptions when you use 
these modified settings.
Initial Draft Renders for Simulated Lighting
For the initial drafts, do not add any simulated lights to the model. In fact, make sure that 
none are present. If any are, the method won’t work (Fig. 20.20). Instead, use exterior lighting 
(SketchUp Shadow menu) to provide light. For interior models, ensure that the roof is on 
its own layer and keep that layer turned off. This will allow light to be cast into the scene. 
Using the SketchUp Shadow menu, set the light. Make sure the model has good contrast and 
abundant light hitting surfaces (Fig. 20.21).
Run the draft renders and evaluate the texture character and surfaces. Adjust the textures, 
and rerun the drafts until the textures are the way you want them (Fig. 20.22).

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Part 5: The Iterative Rendering Process
Fig. 20.19: 
Modified draft-to-final render process for simulated lighting