Re-lighting one SketchUp view — same model, same camera, only the light changes

[Silpu]

G'day all — Perth building designer here, 18 years on tools, mostly WA double-brick homes.

I've been experimenting with "re-lighting": take ONE screenshot straight from the SketchUp viewport, render it photoreal, then change only the lighting story — bright day, golden hour, dusk with the wall lamps coming on. The video below shows the same view stepping through the moods.

![0_1783604082585_silpu-render-1783603185531.jpg]

silpu-livinglight-1783603880274.mp4

Two rules I hold it to:

• The GEOMETRY never changes — same model, same camera, same materials. Only light moves.
  Full disclosure: this is AI-assisted, and it's my own extension (Silpu — AI Render, in the
  PluginStore). It's a concept render, not a contract document — I always check it against the drawings. Not trying to replace proper rendering workflows; for me it's the "which mood do you like?" conversation with a client before committing to anything.

Question for this crowd: if you could re-light a view in seconds, where would it earn its keep —client option shots, dusk/streetscape boards for approvals, marketing? Keen for honest opinions, including "this is useless because…" ones.

Silpu is also region-aware — it adapts the flora, streetscapes and light to where the
project actually is. A home in Perth, London, Hanoi or Manila each keeps its own local
character instead of getting the same generic "AI garden".

silpu-livinglight-1783603880274.mp4

[Rich O Brien]

Impressive result. If it had control over real IES lighting values then it would big a good feature.

But for conceptual presentation its actually very impressive.

The vegetation based on region is definitely a nice touch.

Years ago it was a new render engine every few months. Now its a new AI render engine every few days.