Match Photo as Texture
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Is there a way to "unlock" the matched photo ( it has the red border around it )
Reason being, in trying to render images within Sketchup with V-Ray, Vray will only recognize a "texture" as opposed to an "image" ( which is the way I assume the matched photo is imported (as an image).
I've tried creating a billboard with the same image (as a texture) and lining it up with the matched photo, but this proves very difficult as the matched phot disappears when orbiting! I also have tried using the "camera" (from the film and TV plugin) which helps show the correct perspective in the scene, but it would be a whole lot easier if the originally imported image could be converted to a texture.
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For that I just merge the background and render in post. Make sure you enable the alpha channel in the VFB and use that as a layer mask.
The photomatched image acts more as a Watermark than an Image in SU.
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Yep, thanks I hear you, but I've also done the post work too, but was trying to streamline the operation for speed within SU.
The nice aspect/bonus to being able to render it all within Sketchup is that the background image (matched photo) will also be reflected on objects within the model which won't happen as a comp in post without a bunch more work. -
In order to do that you need a 360 degree environment map. Not just a normal photo. If you did place a photo in the background of your rendered scene then you'd only see the reflection from the opposite side of the camera - which would be of not much use.
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Correct, except for horizontal reflective surfaces - water, countertops etc. which would reflect said image, which was my specific issue.
I can use the same photo in V-ray as a background "spherical environment" map which goes a long way to producing relections on all angles(not as accurate as a true HDRI solution) but it would still be helpful to have the original photo rendered in the same pass to avoid compositing it eleswhere.
So I'd still be interested to know if the "matched-photo" is accessible for editing or changing it from an "image(watermark)" to a "texture"? -
You could always add it to the Background slot in the Environment section, but it will be looking warped and stretched.
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Thanks again for the suggestion, but as you say, the background image doesn't lne up so well.
In the meantime I'll continue to create another plane with the photo match image on. I've streamlined this a bit in terms of perspective by copying a face of the back of the camera object to use as the plane for that image as it lines up in 3D space exactly except for size and distance.
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