Background Modification in Sketchup

Here are the tips on how to change the background in SketchUp (not for render).
Usually when we want to present our SketchUp drawing to our client, it’s only a sky, isn’t it?

SO, with this way, we can change / customize our background so at least it will make our scene more real although it’s only a sketch without rendered.

If you want to render the scene (vray or podium or anything else render engine), then you should use HDRI or customize on Photoshop.

So, here is the step by step:

1. Show the Styles window by accessing menu Window -> Style.
2. In window Style, choose tab “Edit”, then choose “Watermark” from the menu

3. Click “(+)” icon then select a bitmap whatever you want to show for your background image, usually its a sky image or something else. The bigger the image size will make more smooth.
4. then, you will get a dialog question window, choose “Background”. Then, “Watermark1” on the option can changed/renamed to whatever u want.
5. The next dialog, let the settings to the default, just click “Next”.
6. Next dialog, choose “Positioned in the screen”, then move the slider in the “Scale” to the right, This means our bitmap will strecthed fully. Thats why i suggest you use bigger image size so you will get smoother result.
7. Then, on the bullet icon, this means how the image repetition start. In this case, i select the bottom center. But you can select/try your own based on your image. Then, click “Finish”

Done.. ! ^_^ .. the parameter i mention above is not absolute, you can take your time to experience .. i hope this is useful for you ..

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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Rendering Optimization in VRAY Sketchup

I have encountered these following questions “My client wanted me to print A0 size paper with nice quality, how can I do it?” Today I receive this from one of the follower with my Nomeradona Facebookpage “Nomeradona, I am working on a Google SketchUp 3D Floor Plan, and trying to Render it in Vray. I am able to Render it at (800×600), but I run out of ram, when I tried to output the (4000×3000 dpi) file size. Are there any tricks you can recommend to reduce the file size or increase rendering optimization?”

In this case, what shall we do? The good news is there is a very simple solution in Vray Sketchup 1.49.01 and here is this using the output vrimage.

This is an old Sketchup file which I did almost four years ago. Let me just use it to quickly show you the trick

Step 1: The output size

I have rendered before more than 8000px width x 4000px spherical panorama render which I used for this Virtual reality post. CLICK HERE to view this post. So far this was the maximum size I have tried. Anyhow in this particular render, I will make an output of perhaps half of this.

Step 2: IR passes
Since the image is huge, you don’t need that high min/max rate. I lowered my min/max rate to -5,-3

Step 3: VRImage output. 

Locate the output roll-out window and under the setting output, tick the box “Render to VRImage”. Once selected save it in exr root file to any folder that you want.

Step 4: Preview Image. 
Vray SketchUp will now begin to write the data in your hardrive. The Vray frame buffer will appear and you will see on the very top it reads “preview of the file output size that you have entered”.

Once done, the image file will be written to the assigned folder that you have chosen.

Open Photoshop and load the exr file

Step 5: Converting the Gamma 2.2 to Gamma1.0
Vray SU by default uses gamma 2.2. When we open the file in Photoshop you should not be surprise why it’s too bright. In order to convert the Gamma 2.2 to 1.0, select image/ adjustments/exposure.

Enter the value 0.45.45 ( 1.0 divided by 2.2)

Here it is..

I hope this is useful!

Nomeradona

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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Top Six rendering software for sketchup users

It is essential to utilize a standard rendering software to the make the quality of the models produced through SketchUp. There exist different types of rendering software plugins which are included with sketch up. This article throws light on six of the best software to render SketchUp on the basis of functionality, features and price.

1) Allura GPU for SketchUp: It belongs to a GPU based rendering plugin for SketchUp that employs the power of your system GPU to speed ups the renderings. It applies the video GPU to generate stunning rendering image with high speed and outstanding overall rendering experience.

It applies calculating light paths with simple automatic settings.

Some of its exciting features range from indirect illumination, colour bleeding, reflections, refractions, soft shadows, blurry reflections, reflective and refractive caustics and volume scattering. The users only have to edit the materials and click render for getting stunning results.

To download the software, click on the following link www.renderplus.com/allura

2) Ariel Vision: This software facilitates realistic rendering of objects and models within SketchUp. It makes beautiful rendered images devoid of applying complex settings.

Ariel Vision contains various unique features which range from one-click rendering with superior results from pre-defined settings, persistent integration with SketchUp full Reflection and transparency controls for obtaining naturalistic materials. It also allows direct and indirect lighting with natural and artificial lights. Besides, it also contains nice HDRi skies and backgrounds to enhance the appearance of your model.

To download the software, click on the following link www.renderplus.com/arielvision

3) IRender nXt: IRender nXt is a robust plugin that produces photorealistic renderings directly inside Trimble SketchUp. It is very useful for landscape and set designers. The plugin easily transforms designs and models into superior images. This is a suitable tool for architects to illustrate their building plans. This software is ideal to render SketchUp files.

It offers some useful features like rendering at any resolution and quality as well as fine tuned lighting, clearness in lighting capabilities.

To download the software, click on the following link renderplus.com/wp2/download/

4) Raylectron: It can produce simple rendering with elegant photos.

The users will be able to edit how the model will appear with different lightning settings, from sun, sky and other settings. The X-ray vision feature facilitates to view interior render devoid of eliminating the exterior.

Some of the exclusive features range from capability to stop the render, save it, reopen it later and continue the render. The users will be able to rotate, pan, zoom, and adjust the materials and lights right from the Raylectron viewer.

Raylectron is also compatible with HDR maps and can save the rendered image as an HDR.

To download the software, click on the following link raylectron.com/webver2

Shaderlight: This software provides a more realistic rendering for SketchUp with various options through different modes and tools to simplify and retain your work models.

Shaderlight offers a exceptional blend with uses giving option to select among progressive rendering and single shot rendering.

The plugin also employs advanced lightning features to add a clean and quality look to your model. The users will be able to utilize the default resolution settings or edit this setting to arrange the proper blend of Sharon and concise images.

To download the software, click on the following link www.artvps.com

Thea Renderer: With its innovative photo realistic engine, it can render sketchup files easily. It comprises of exclusive independent studio and library of editors for materials texture and colour for unique rendering.

The software employs unique engine technique known as biased and unbiased render modes to bring superior results. Some exclusive features range from application of Instancing of External Models (as Proxies), integrated & external Thea material editor, darkroom with multiple controls, advanced camera settings, and render channels. It facilitates to generate your models containing more detailed three dimensional results.

To download the software, click on the following link www.thearender.com

Source: https://windowsreport.com

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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Some useful tips to copy & multiply geometry with the Move tool in sketchup

The Move tool is also used to copy geometry or produce several copies with simple clicks and keystrokes.

It is suggested to indicate an interval for the copies while copying with the move tool. This feature is suitable for generating 3D models of fences, bridges, and decks, where various posts or beams are uniformly placed.

Given below, the steps required for creating copies with the Move tool :

By using the Select tool, select the geometry to be copied.

Select the Move tool from the toolbar or press M. The cursor will transform to a four-way arrow.

To notify SketchUp that you prefer to replicate the selected entities, press and release the Ctrl (Microsoft Windows) or Option (Mac OS X) key. Next to the four-way arrow cursor, a plus sign will be visible.

Click the selected entities.

Move the cursor to copy your selection. A copy of your selection follows the Move cursor while moving it onscreen. In the figure, the fence panel is copied.

Click on your preferred location to arrange your copy. The copied entities are now selected and the original entities are deselected. As a substitute, move your selection to a proper distance and provide a length value, like 21′ or 30m, and then press Enter (Microsoft Windows) or Return (Mac OS X).

(Optional) Right away after arranging your copy, generate several copies or uniformly spaced copies by typing a value and a multiplier, which become visible in the Measurements box.

To generate several copies, type 7x (or *7) to produce 7 copies.

To divide the distance among the copy & the original, type 5/ (or /5) to generate five copies uniformly placed among the original and the first copy.

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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Some useful tips to open FBX files in Sketchup

In this sketchup video tutorial, the sketchup users will get some useful tips so that they can open FBX files in sketchup without any trouble.

FBX alias Filmbox is a patended file format (.fbx) that is developed by Kaydara and acquired by Autodesk since 2006. It is mainly applied to offer interoperability among digital content creation applications. FBX is also part of Autodesk Gameware, a series of video game middleware.

It is also possible to open FBX files in blender. Go to File->Import and select the BOS FBX importer. Navigate to the FBX file that should be imported, choose it, and click to start the import. The model and armature will be imported.

Blender belongs to a professional, free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset that is specifically designed for modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, composition, motion tracking as well as video editing. Go through the following video tutorial to learn the process.

To learn the open FBX files in Sketchup, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source Robson Jacobsen

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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FrameModeler for sketchup

FrameModeler is the newest sketchup extension that is compatible with SketchUp 2018.

This user-friendly architecture tool is compatible with elementary architecture components like column, beam, wall, slab, grid etc. and can be set by the users with their fingertips.

FrameModeler works out the area and volume of the material similar to excluding intersected faces and edges.

• Information Export Tool
Export Excel data
• Select model data from ModelInfo
• Update Model Condition
Excluding intersected faces and edges, updating grid position.

Download the extension from extension warehouse extensions.sketchup.com

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to do follow me with multiple shapes in sketchup

In this sketchup video tutorial, Mr. Aaron shows a useful tip to perform a follow me with numerous shapes. This sketchup video is a part of sketchup skill builder series. You will learn how to obtain numerous shapes to follow a single path with simple mouse click.

Aaron uses sketchup weld extension for this purpose.

Smustard Team has developed weld extension for sketchup. This sketchup extension is compatible with SketchUp 6, SketchUp 7, SketchUp 8, SketchUp 2013, SketchUp 2014, SketchUp 2015 as well as Mac OS X and windows platform.

The sketchup users can apply this plugin to choose numerous connected edges, curves, and/or arcs (“connected” means containing common endpoints), then utilize the weld tool to combine them into a single “polyline”. The plugin can do a “follow me” of a circle along a straight line, ruptures the circle into several line segments.

To learn the tip with follow me tool, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source SketchUp

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to use FlexTools sketchup extension to create dynamic components within sketchup

In this sketchup video tutorial, Justin Geis demonstrates the functionality of a useful sketchup plugin called FlexTools that can be used for generating dynamic components inside sketchup.

One can produce various smart objects like doors, windows etc. The plugin allows the users to arrange the doors, windows, louvers and other objects inside openings in your sketchup models instantly and smoothly.

This sketchup plugin is developed by FlexTools CC. It is a paid extension and cost is US$33 for one component and US$114 for all components.

One can download the plugin from thesketchupessentials.com/flextools.

Flex tools is a series of opening creation tools developed on the basis of sketchup dynamic components engine. It comprises of the responsive objects scale and modifies to openings automatically.

The components can be resized devoid of any distortion. Here, only the sections of components which are expected to resize like the door or the glass in the windows, will be only resized whereas the frames and other objects remain unchanged in sizes.

To get more detail, go through the following video tutorial.

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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How to resolve v-ray glass transparency issue in v-ray 3.6 for sketchup

This is another useful presentation from Justin Geis for sketchup and v-ray users. Often a common issue occurs while working with vray 3.6 for sketchup. The issue is about the rendering of your glass lacks transparency due to improper set up of model.

In this video, one will get some useful tips to set up your glass properly in order that the rendering always becomes transparent for your glass.

While starting rendering inside v-ray, if you employ the glass materials, it is possible to see through the glass and therefore the glass is demonstrated as non transparent.

To learn how to make the glass transparent, go through the following video tutorial.

Video Source The Rendering Essentials

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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Live demonstration of Thea Render 2.0 for sketchup

Thea Render 2.0 is just launched with some exciting features. Given below, the details of these new and advanced features :-

a. It creates physically perfect light simulation.
b. It applies the laws of physics and optics to produce elegant & realistic images.
c. It offers simple and rapid scene setting.

d. With spectral simulation feature, the light penetrates through the prism and it divides in several frequencies and colors like real world.
e. It illustrates how precise and complete the light calculation over the entire spectrum of visible light.
f. Unbiased rendering along with biased engine.
g. Numerous CPU and GPU support.

h. Nvidia CUDA cards on MAC and WIN
i. AMD OpenCL cards on WIN (v2)

To watch the live presentation of Thea Render 2.0, go through the following exclusive video tutorial.

Video Source Novedge

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Published By
Arka Roy
http://www.sketchup4architect.com
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