External glass

[gmac]

seems like the glass materials that I've applied look ok, but a little dead, like the place is "closed" and the lights off. Is there a way in sketchup to make the space seem like the lights are on or glowing a bit without going to a second rendering package?

thx, GM

[Gaieus]

Greg, shadow in SU is either 100% full or 0% - there is nothing "in-between". There are two ways to make something (like glass) transparent in SU (without 3rd party rendering):

• use an image that can have transparency (png, tiff) but image transparency is not recognised by the shadow engine in SU therefore it will cast 100% shadow (i.e. no light "coming in").
• Use an SU material (say a simple colour) and add transparency bigger (or opacity is less) than 70% - in which case it will be 100% transparent for the shadow engine (i.e. light coming through the glass). If transparency is less than 70%, no light will come through and SU will cast 100% shadow. No way "in-between" again (i.e. "glowing a bit" as you say).

[gmac]

ok, thanks. That's kinda what I was doing. The trick was even in varying the transparency I wasn't getting what I really wanted. I ended up doing it photoshop as necessity took over though its still less than I imagined. i masked the glass and put a colored transparent overlay. The idea was trying to get the 'dusk' like lighting. its in a medical office lobby. They wanted the entry/lobby to stand out. i was able to do it, just looking for a one-step way via SU without the after-work. I think i understand the limitations at least now.

on to learning how to better light these things.

Thanks. GREG

[mitcorb]

Did you try applying the translucent texture/color to both faces? Or, is this not relevant, here?