Rendering in SketchUp

Fig. 22.5: 
Conversely, letter size can be calculated at 150 DPI.
Fig. 22.6: 
Letter pixel resolution at 150 DPI

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371
Chapter 22: Image Resolution
You may be able to better understand the relationships between paper size and resolution 
by seeing them in a chart form (Fig. 22.7).
Fig. 22.7: 
Letter, legal, and tabloid resolution values in pixels
Viewport Size
Viewport size refers to the height and width of the visible SketchUp screen and is measured in 
pixels (Fig. 22.8). Rendering resolution will usually differ from the viewport resolution unless 
you set them to match. A difference between rending resolution and viewport resolution will 
cause the height and width of the draft or final to appear smaller or larger compared to the 
scene in the viewport (Fig. 22.9). Some IRPs provide the option to match the viewport size for 
the render.
Fig. 22.8: 
SketchUp viewport resolution can differ from the final render output. In this example, SketchUp’s view-
port is set to 1916 x 916.

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372
Part 5: The Iterative Rendering Process
aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between an image’s width and its height. 
Adjusting one value will alter the other, maintaining the proportionate relationship. This 
feature is useful for draft renderings. Just enter the final resolution render size (if you know 
it), make sure aspect ratio is selected, and lower the resolution to at least half the size. This 
ensures that the view in the draft renders is the same as the final resolution.
For example, if the final render size is 1920 
n
1080 (HD), the draft renders can be set 
to 960 
n
540. Adjusting one value, such as 1920, will cause the aspect ratio to automatically 
adjust the second value, doing the math for you.
atypical Sizes
The aspect ratio can be unlinked, allowing differing focuses and atypical sizes. Unlinking the 
height and width allows disproportionate values. Various render sizes can be set with this 
method, including narrow views or wide panoramics (Fig. 22.10, Fig. 22.11).
Fig. 22.9: 
The output-
ted IRP render resolution 
differs from SketchUp’s 
viewport resolution, 
creating a narrow, more-
focused view.

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