Rendering

[Design1]

Hi all my first post. I use sketchup a fair bit mainly for architecture and landscape. I have had a play with podium and irender Nxt (trials and in default) etc but was blown awaywith some of the renderings i have seen here!! I have looked at some tutes and am in severe information overload!!?!? There seems to be so many options and potential blind alley's. Could someone please set me on the right track with thier experiences. It would be such big help Thanks

[honoluludesktop]

IMO, render applications basically add bump, shine, and reflections (light fixtures for interiors) to a model. There is no substitute for a good looking SU model. Architectural interior renders are very different from architectural exterior, landscape, and product renders. Work on one category at a time. Begin with simple models, select the desired view by SU, and see how adding bump, shine, and reflection affects the model's textures. Experiment by changing the textures.

Most of my renders consist of a background image, the model, and some foreground stuff. Learn how the render application you use applies background images. I like to blur, and lighten background images. For me, creating, and placing 3d landscape elements in the foreground of a model, was (still is) a challenge.

Every great render is post processed. I begin by adjustments that move and stretch the brightness levels of an image histogram (get help with this online editor). I then adjust "gamma", and finally "contrast". Of course, there are many approaches to post processing, my work flow is untutored, something I learned by trial and error.

Hope this gives you a leg up on rendering. In the end, what ever work flow you arrive at will be according to your unique situation. Here is something I wrote about making 2d face me images.

[Design1]

Thanks honoluludesktop can you or anyone recommend a render program that that is a good starter package, simplicity in default but has potential to tweak? Thanks again.

[dylan]

@design1 said:

Thanks honoluludesktop can you or anyone recommend a render program that that is a good starter package, simplicity in default but has potential to tweak? Thanks again.

This brings up many different answers but the one I would recommend is Twilight.
Fantastic results, good default settings/templates, great forum and constantly developing. It has become very popular with the members here which you may see from searching through the Gallery.

[puck]

I would also recommend Twilight for price and quality. Very simple to set up, lots of high quality built in materials and the ability to import more that others have already made. Makes the set up process very quick and enjoyable.

Puck