Rendering in SketchUp

Fig. 28.2: 
The SketchUp Shadow 
Menu Dark slider is set to 35.

---

451
Chapter 28: Shaderlight Exterior Lighting and Backdrops
physical Sky
The Physical Sky setting is the quickest way to get exterior lighting results. For most users 
utilizing Physical Sky will be enough. The following settings yield good, consistent results
(Fig. 28.3):
3
3
SketchUp Shadow Menu: Time: Between 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM.
3
3
SketchUp Shadow Menu: Date: Between August and September.
3
3
SketchUp Shadow Menu: Set Dark slider to 35.
3
3
Shaderlight Render Settings: Under Lighting, select Physical Sky.
3
3
Shaderlight Render Settings: Make sure that Auto Exposure under the Shaderlight 
options is unchecked and Exposure is set to zero (0).
3
3
SketchUp Solar North: Adjust SketchUp Solar North for the best lighting results.
You can use different Time settings but with a caveat. Earlier or later times will cause less 
light to be generated in the rendering, which will cause it to appear somewhat flat. Adjusting 
Fig. 28.3: 
These Physical 
Sky and SketchUp Shadow 
settings are useful for 
many exterior renderings.

---

452
Part 6: Shaderlight by ArtVPS
the Date (month) yields more or less light, depending on the month. For example, summer 
months produce more light and greater exposure than winter months, which have less light, 
longer shadows, and less exposure.
hDrI Lighting
As indicated in Chapter 24, it takes some practice to master HDRI lighting. Start with Physical 
Sky settings if you are unsure of how to use image-based lighting.
Shaderlight has three options under lighting for IBL: Preset, Moofe, and Custom (Fig. 28.4). 
Preset and Moofe are sets of preinstalled HDRI images (Fig. 28.5). Once either of them is 
selected, additional choices will become available under Type 
F
Image, allowing you to select a 
specific HDRI. Select Custom to insert your own HDRI image into Shaderlight.
The actual photo image of the HDRI can be exposed in the rendering. To do this, use the 
Background settings at the bottom of the Shaderlight Render Settings menu.