In Built Renderer

maxel99

I use sketchup in an architecture firm and really think there is nothing it cant build, but when it comes time to present the models I have made I usually feel let down by the graphic quality. I have played around with styles - created my own, etc, tried podium (and had quite good results) and a few other free render programs but they all seem too inconsistant or too fiddly to get right - podium often gets light burns or is too dark or just renders wierd, only after hours and hours does it seem to work for a particular model.

What about a proper photo-realistic renderer built in to sketchup that works well the first time based on skp sun and is easy to set the lighting levels? To me this would make skp a viable industry tool, now when I present a skp graphic the client, etc just isn't as impressed as I know they could be.

solo

Ah! you looking for an easy button, 'fraid that getting reasonable results is going to take some practice. Just like getting to model with SU, so must one 'fiddle' and 'play' to get rendering results. I always said that no matter what render engine you use, the best renders will always be obtained by the one you took the time to learn ... and a good model.

Now there is an easy button if you believe your time is worth more than fiddling around with rendering apps in order to learn how to master them, this is where an Illustrator/ modeler such as myself make a living. There are many freelance artists here and on most CG sites that may be the answer to your frustrations, as it will take time and talent to produce the results that are capable of flooring your clients and they may just be the answer and the creative input you require.

Al Hart

The new nXt engine, built into IRender nXt tries very hard to create great renderings with its default settings.

This image from the 3D Warehouse was rendered with the default settings:
(The ground was a Google Earth image in the 3D Warehouse model)

Here is an example of another 3D Warehouse model rendered with the default settings:

I hope you can appreciate the subtle lighting and shadow effects produced by the nXt default lighting model, and the good overall brightness produced by the nXt defaults. It is easy to adjust the brightness after the rendering is complete, but the default brightness is very good. Both of these images took less than 10 minutes to render, using IRender Lite (the low end version).

You can improve the images if you do set some lighting and reflection options (transparent windows are automatically reflective), but you can get very good renderings with the default settings.

For more on IRender, see: http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=IRender_nXt

remus

As solo pointed out, if the current breed of render engines dont satisfy your graphical needs i think your being a bit optimistic about google's ability to produce a render engine.

Having said that hypershot bunkspeed is pretty well known as being a fast and powerful render engine, with minimal user input required. Its a bit pricey, though.

solo

Hypershot is product based not architectural visualization, great for cars and shiny objects.

bigstick

@maxel99 said:

What about a proper photo-realistic renderer built in to sketchup that works well the first time based on skp sun and is easy to set the lighting levels? To me this would make skp a viable industry tool, now when I present a skp graphic the client, etc just isn't as impressed as I know they could be.

Apart from Al's iRender, there are 2 other applications that run inside SketchUp, IDX Renditioner and Podium.

Although I'm biased, I think Podium produces the best results.

Also don't forget LightUp, which isn't quite photorealistic, but if you have really good textures and enough detail, it can produce some great images.

[Edit: solo is quite right about hypershot. Great for shiny things, awful for buildings. Have a look at the architectural images in their gallery. Generally the purpose of a gallery is to showcase the product. If that's as good as they can get, I would keep your credit card in your pocket.]

Stinkie

Let's not forget either that the things one would normally render with Hypershot, like cars, aren't easily produced with SU. Rhino would be more suitable. All in all, HS and SU don't look like a match made in heaven. Podium would indeed be a more suitable choice.

That said, Jimbo - you boys finally done yet? My render finger's getting itchy.

@maxel99 said:

podium often gets light burns or is too dark or just renders wierd, only after hours and hours does it seem to work for a particular model.

Any rendering app takes practice. There's no way around that. They all have their quirks and little things you got to keep in mind. I had problems using Podium in the beginning as well - but I was quite surprised to see how quickly I learned how to get good results with it. If you have a specific problem, post a question over at Podium HQ. That's the surest way to obtain a solution and advance your skills.

I know - you may feel inclined to shop around for the "perfect renderer" (you know the one ... pristine output every time, and no effort needed - we all want that one), but that'll cost a lot of time (and probably money, too - trust me), and you're likely to merely find out that there simply isn't a "perfect renderer". Believe me, even Maxwell has its drawbacks and learning curve, though it's costly and marketed as "easy". (It's good, though.)

Choose an app, preferably one with a manageable learning curve, like Podium, and stick with it for a couple of months.

thomthom

@bigstick said:

Apart from Al's iRender, there are 2 other applications that run inside SketchUp, IDX Renditioner and Podium.

And V-Ray for SketchUp from ASGVIS.

maxel99

Wow Al I must say I am impressed with the accurender lite. It does give a high quality image right off the bat and is quite easy to use.

I know these questions don't belong here but I will ask anyway:
Will you work on bump maps for irender? Is there also a way to get an ultra fine line (lighter than 1 pixel)? And also is it available (or will it be available) for Mac? I use Macs at work and would buy it for there

Al Hart

I have copied your query to the IRender nXt Forum:

http://nxt.accurender.com/forums/p/1385/6013.aspx#6013

IRender nXt (not IRender Lite) supports Bump Maps - Auto Bump, traditional Bump Maps and Procedural Bump Maps - See: http://wiki.renderplus.com/index.php?title=Bump_Maps

The IRender automatically uses finer resolution to resolve each pixel. It processes multiple rendering passes (as many as you have time for) to keep improving the image. In addition, you can render at as high a resolution as desired.

Unfortunately, it is, and will remain, a Windows only product. The developer of the nXt engine - which we use - has shown no interest in the Mac marketplace.

maxel99

thanks, the bumps are quite a bit easier than in podium - a very good level of customisation across the board. I don't know why more people don't use this program, maybe you could make your website alittle easier to navigate

Al Hart

Thanks,

We've been trying to figure out how to make our websites more friendly for users.

Someone suggested that our forum posts would be better if we had a photo for our avatar rather then the avatar we are currently using. Also, there has been some debate as to whether we should do more support here on the SketchUcation Forum, (since people don't have to join and watch multiple forums - one for SketchUp and another for the Render Plus add-ons).

Some people just don't like the Wiki approach to documentation. We find it very convenient, because it is so very easy to add things to the documentation. When we get a query that someone doesn't understand something, we can update the Wiki very, very quickly. For instance, I changed all the pages in the Bump Map section (6 different pages) yesterday as I reviewed them when posting the link to them.

SU Podium can be very easy to use - since it has a single dialog - and only allows a couple of settings - illumination and reflection. Our lighting model, for example, can be very complex - predefined light bulbs, automatic illumination from SketchUp light components, pre-defined lights on the 3D Warehouse, a wizard to create ceiling, floor and table lamps, and finally, user defined lights using glowing materials or glowing faces. Then when you define a glowing face, you can use several lighting models - omni directional, diffuse one sided, directional, or spot effect. The problem with offering powerful options for how to do something is that it makes the product more and more complex.

I would appreciate any criticisms or suggestions you or anyone else may have.