Lights in Sketchup 8 (Free Version)
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Hi guys,
I am a newby in using sketchup, but I made a model with try and error.
It is a petrol station, and now I need some features, to turn lights on and off, special at the roof and outside general.
I don't know how to do it. Is there anybody, who will explain to me?
Thanks,
Daisy
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Hi Daisy and welcome!
SketchUp has a single light source: the Sun. No additional lights are possible.
There are 3rd party rendering applications (some are simple to use and even run inside SU - others are more complex and some also run outside, in a standalone studio where you first need to export your model). In these applications, you can add additional light sources. -
The base-level SketchUp is a simple soul - so it only has the sun, and it has no lights, no reflections, no refraction, no bump-maps, no caustics etc.
BUT many of these can be 'added' to your SKP using special features of 3rd-party rendering applications, that then render the Scene more 'realistically' that base-level SketchUp.
There are several free [or inexpensive] rendering-applications available.
Many of them have 'free trials', perhaps with some limitation on exported image size and/or discreet watermarking.
Some of these tools are easier to use than others - look in the Gallery for the vast range available.
As a newbie you probably don't want the 'all bells and whistles' features...
There are several specialist threads listing and discussing render tools.
I suggest you do a SCF Search and trawl through those...
For example this http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=48035&p=430887&hilit=+renderers#p430887 and this http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=47843&p=428991&hilit=+renderers#p428991 both discuss 'renderers for a newbie'...
Most render-tools also have their own sites which will offer more detailed advice, useful once you pick one or two to look into further... -
At first, thanks very much for your quick and detailed answers.
First point I know now, that Sketchup free Version isn't able to show lights, exept the sun.
I installed the Renderprogram Kerkythea, and tried already placing lights but I get no result, sometimes I have light, sometimes not. And I don't know, why, or where I can change the lumen or anything else (Is it right, that the light effect is only seen after rendering?).
Also i searched alreay in the Internet for a Tutorial, but I don't find anything I understood the context...I have now a new toolbar (Kerkythea) in Sketchup, with two standard lights and the possibility, some others to import. But I don't know how to use
So I need a short and easy step by step how to manage it.....?
Daisy
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There's an article in CatchUp no. 7 about creating lighting effects within SketchUp, ie. without using other renderers. I use this technique frequently... might be of interest to you.
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Not only in SU Free but also in SU Pro there is no other light source than the Sun.
Kerkythea is an excellent program but you really need to spend some time to get around it. I suggest to download the "Getting started" manual: http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=89
It leads you through, step by step, all the application (and yes, lights are only visible when rendered already - also make sure they do not intersect / merge with other geometry; i.e. part of the light is not behind the wall/ceiling face etc.)
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@Emerald15: Sounds interesting, but what exactly is CatchUp No. 7?
@Gaieus: Thanks for the Kerkythea-Link, i looks like interesting. I think I will try this way.
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There is a tutorial at Sketchup Artist you might take a look at. Called fast track for Architects.
By Nick Howlett So you've made that SketchUp model, and want to turn it into a funky architectural render with minimal effort and without shelling
(www.sketchupartists.org)
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@mwm5053 said:
There is a tutorial at Sketchup Artist you might take a look at. Called fast track for Architects.
By Nick Howlett So you've made that SketchUp model, and want to turn it into a funky architectural render with minimal effort and without shelling
(www.sketchupartists.org)
Looks like good as well..... thx
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... CatchUp - SketchUcation magazine... you'll love it! Look for the tab at the top of the page
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