Rendering in SketchUp

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Part 5: The Iterative Rendering Process
Fig. 21.22: 
Nonreflective and coarse values are typically used for paved and stone surfaces.
Surface Reflection
Surface reflection value refers to the range of reflectivity a surface can possess. This reflectivity 
can range from no reflection, to indistinct and hazy reflection, all the way to 100-percent 
reflection, as in a mirror or chrome surface (Fig. 21.23).
Fig. 21.23: 
Material reflection values can range from none to little, and all the way to highly reflective like a mirror.

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Chapter 21: Texture Values
IRP Surface Condition and Reflection
Surface reflection is contingent on surface condition. The smoother the surface, the greater 
the range of reflection will be. IRPs allow users to choose the surface condition for textures. 
Once the surface condition is chosen, a secondary value representing the range of reflection 
can be set.
For example, Shaderlight provides a Satin option for surface condition: the Satin setting 
indicates an irregular surface, meaning that it reflects less light. The Satin option’s secondary 
settings provide a range of reflectivity that ranges from Low, which is no reflection, to High, 
which allows the surface to reflect more light. However, due to the coarse nature of the Satin 
setting, even a High reflection value does not act as a mirror; instead, it makes the surface 
appear brighter without reflecting the surroundings (Fig. 21.24).
In contrast, Shaderlight has a Shiny surface condition value, indicating that the surface is 
very smooth and can reflect a good amount of its environment. The secondary Shiny reflec-
tive values range from Dull to Polished to Mirrored. The Dull secondary value provides a hazy 
reflection of the environment, a Polished value generates a more distinct reflection, and Mir-
rored reflects 100 percent of its environment (Fig. 21.25).