Rendering in SketchUp

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Part 1: Overview and Concepts
Fig. 1.3: 
Shaderlight IRP menu in SketchUp
Fig. 1.5: 
SU Podium IRP menu in SketchUp 
Studio rendering Programs
Most professional rendering artists and offices use studio rendering programs (SRPs) to generate 
images (Fig. 1.6). SRPs are third-party programs that cannot be directly integrated into SketchUp. 
To use them, the SketchUp model must be exported into the studio application. Although 
SRPs offer more features and in some cases better rendering quality for images, they tend to be 
expensive and significantly harder to learn and master, particularly for those new to rendering. 
When used correctly, IRPs can yield excellent results on par or better than many SRPs.
Learning to use an IRP is an excellent stepping stone to using advanced studio rendering 
programs. In this book, you’ll learn the fundamentals necessary for using both IRPs and the 
more advanced and complex rendering programs. 
Fig. 1.6: 
3ds Max is a popular studio rendering program.
Fig. 1.4: 
Twilight Render IRP menu in SketchUp

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Chapter 1: Introduction to Rendering in SketchUp
Digital rendering and Photorealism 
The term photorealism originally described a genre of oil painting in which the painter proceeds 
from a photograph rather than from direct observation and then produces a meticulously 
painted image that appears “photographic” in its realistic depiction of detail.
Computer rendering is the act of simulating the play of light on a 3D model. Virtual light 
reflects from the model surfaces, allowing them to take on the appearance of real-world objects 
and materials. The goal is to create images that look like photographs (Fig. 1.7 and Fig. 1.8).
Fig. 1.7: 
SketchUp model of cover image

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