sketchucation logo sketchucation
    • Login
    ℹ️ Licensed Extensions | FredoBatch, ElevationProfile, FredoSketch, LayOps, MatSim and Pic2Shape will require license from Sept 1st More Info

    Making chrome with Renditioner

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Extensions & Applications Discussions
    extensions
    22 Posts 5 Posters 3.0k Views 5 Watching
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • hellnbakH Offline
      hellnbak
      last edited by

      I have version 1.2. The examples you posted don't look much like chrome, were they the "bland" examples you spoke of? Can Renditioner make it look like real chrome? And if so, can you please provide suggestions on how to go about doing this? I have searched and searched for any help on how to do it, but came up with nothing.

      "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • honoluludesktopH Offline
        honoluludesktop
        last edited by

        Given the environment, and my experience,
        http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=66719&t=1
        is the best example of chrome that I can do. The logo is difficult because there is nothing to reflect except the HDRI environment. I played around with some of the render settings and got the following.Temp00.png Beyond these examples, you need help from someone with more experience. There are other Renditioner settings that I have not tried. If you are interested in experimenting with v2, down load express (free) via the link above, and goTemp00.pngfor HDRI environments. Some are free.


        Temp00.png

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • hellnbakH Offline
          hellnbak
          last edited by

          I appreciate your efforts, I really do. It's just so frustrating, I can't seem to find anything worthwhile anywhere as far as explaining how to get decent results with Renditioner. The so-called "manual" that comes with it may be fine for someone who already knows how to use the program, but I know less than nothing about rendering programs. It uses terms that are like a foreign language to me, and doesn't bother to explain them. I'm not computer illiterate, and I enjoy learning new programs, but I can't see investing the time and effort to learn every nuance of the thing when I only need it for one very specific purpose. That's like learning how to build a house when all you really want to do is put a new window in it.
          Anyhow, thanks again, have a good one.

          "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • honoluludesktopH Offline
            honoluludesktop
            last edited by

            Glad to help. Some did when I first began to render. Can you post a image of what you expect a chrome render to look like?

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • hellnbakH Offline
              hellnbak
              last edited by

              Well, I need it to look ...... real. Like real chrome. If it doesn't look like real chrome, why use it in a model, might as well just paint it gray.


              a.jpg

              "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • honoluludesktopH Offline
                honoluludesktop
                last edited by

                Your examples may require high lighting by pin spotlights, and a environment with objects that can be reflected on the mirrored surfaces. v1.2 can't do this. v2 can, but as I said it will take work on your part. I did the attached but without the benefit of the criteria stated.Temp00.png
                It's at least an improvement over your render with v1.2.
                http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=66713&t=1

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Rich O BrienR Offline
                  Rich O Brien Moderator
                  last edited by

                  I'd suggest using PhotoShop. Or GIMP.

                  Those have Chrome styles that can be applied to text or graphics.

                  Do you have this 'Fairlane' font? If not just export your parallel view with White background and geometry all black. There are plugin's by Thomthom. Blackout and Export 2D.

                  Then tweaked in image editor.

                  Download the free D'oh Book for SketchUp πŸ“–

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • jason_marantoJ Offline
                    jason_maranto
                    last edited by

                    Metallic objects (chrome) are all about the environment you place them in -- without a complex environment to reflect the metallic surface looks plain/boring and too CG.

                    You will either want a to build an interesting lighting/reflection scene to place your chrome objects into or use proper studio type HDR background/lighting to supply interesting reflections.

                    Here's a link to a video showing a demo of this principle:

                    Best,
                    Jason.

                    I create video tutorial series about several 2D & 3D graphics programs.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • hellnbakH Offline
                      hellnbak
                      last edited by

                      Just upgraded to Renditioner Pro (they did it for free!) and will be experimenting with it.
                      By the way, the photo I uploaded was just a SU Photo, not a rendered photo, so I guess your version would be an improvement πŸ˜†

                      @honoluludesktop said:

                      It's at least an improvement over your render with v1.2.
                      http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=66713&t=1

                      "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • hellnbakH Offline
                        hellnbak
                        last edited by

                        Well, I've been playing around with it and I think there's hope to eventually get the kind of results I want. It's not there yet, but if I can get this close after only maybe a half-hour of experimenting, there's definitely hope. Thanks for all your help and suggestions.


                        9.jpg

                        "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • Rich O BrienR Offline
                          Rich O Brien Moderator
                          last edited by

                          Here's a quick PS .png

                          Hellnbak_Logo.png

                          Download the free D'oh Book for SketchUp πŸ“–

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • honoluludesktopH Offline
                            honoluludesktop
                            last edited by

                            Great, glad to be of help. Good luck!-)

                            Rich, That's nice.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • hellnbakH Offline
                              hellnbak
                              last edited by

                              @unknownuser said:

                              Here's a quick PS .png

                              [attachment=0:gd1aiu0d]<!-- ia0 -->Hellnbak_Logo.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:gd1aiu0d]

                              Looks good, could you tell me how you went about doing that? (I have PS CS3, what version did you use?)

                              "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Rich O BrienR Offline
                                Rich O Brien Moderator
                                last edited by

                                CS5, but process is easily done in yours.

                                Just google 'chrome in photoshop' and you'll get tons of paint effects. The only other thing to do is follow my earlier steps

                                Download the free D'oh Book for SketchUp πŸ“–

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • honoluludesktopH Offline
                                  honoluludesktop
                                  last edited by

                                  Another try at it.real_time_56 Ford Hood Emblem1.jpg

                                  HellNBack, I know that a chrome finish is a chrome finish, but I still think that the finis will be lost on a render of a whole car. It's like looking at the leaves on a tree, from the viewpoint of the whole forest. Still, having been there, done that, I can relate. πŸ™‚

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • hellnbakH Offline
                                    hellnbak
                                    last edited by

                                    @honoluludesktop said:

                                    Another try at it.[attachment=5:2igga6k1]<!-- ia5 -->real_time_56 Ford Hood Emblem1.jpg<!-- ia5 -->[/attachment:2igga6k1]

                                    HellNBack, I know that a chrome finish is a chrome finish, but I still think that the finis will be lost on a render of a whole car. It's like looking at the leaves on a tree, from the viewpoint of the whole forest. Still, having been there, done that, I can relate. πŸ˜„

                                    But I'm not going to render the whole car, I just want to project rendered textures to parts of the model, like bumpers, hubcaps, headlight bezels, horn rings, door handles, knobs, etc. I don't like the idea of rendering the whole car and then all you have are photos, I like being able to move around the car, rotate it, etc, so I try to add textures wherever possible to add some realism to the model without reducing it to just a photo. Is that making any sense? (The '61 Chevy and '56 Ford are my first scratch-built models and are in their early stages, still need a lot of work, and the chrome is not very good yet)

                                    I did try a render of a couple of my models (the bottom two photos), just out of curiosity, and although they are crude renders (didn't do any of the interiors, plus I really don't know what the heck I'm doing yet), I was somewhat surprised by the results. I really wish I hadn't done that though, cause then working on the models in SU they seem to be, well, artificial in appearance.

                                    Dang it


                                    5.jpg


                                    ccc.jpg


                                    11.jpg


                                    real_time_1705.jpg


                                    real_time_21513.jpg

                                    "Politicians are just like diapers -- they need to be changed often, and for the same reason"

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • honoluludesktopH Offline
                                      honoluludesktop
                                      last edited by

                                      Very nice. I learned to drive with my Dad's 55 Ford sedan, and I once owned a white, red interior, 62 2 door Chevy Impala coup. Those were the days when American Iron ruled the road. I actually purchased it from a little old lady in the 70's. Wish I kept up the Chevy. At the time I was too young to appreciate what I had. I later traded it in for a Mustang.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • 1
                                      • 2
                                      • 1 / 2
                                      • First post
                                        Last post
                                      Buy SketchPlus
                                      Buy SUbD
                                      Buy WrapR
                                      Buy eBook
                                      Buy Modelur
                                      Buy Vertex Tools
                                      Buy SketchCuisine
                                      Buy FormFonts

                                      Advertisement