Rayscaper Alpha Version Available

pixelcruncher

Hey folks,

I’m launching the alpha version of my new plugin Rayscaper. Rayscaper is an interactive, photorealistic render engine for SketchUp that is fun to use. Rayscaper is currently alpha software and is free to use.

Rayscaper screenshot

You can find the first public alpha release of Rayscaper version 0.7.0 in the plugin store: https://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Rayscaper

Here is a quick start video for Rayscaper:

Youtube Video

The video uses this SketchUp file: RS demo scene by Rich O'Brien

I will regularly post updated builds with bug fixes and new features in this forum. For every new version, I will create a new forum post. Please report bugs/issues/comments for that version by posting under the respective topic.

Remember that this alpha software is unstable. If you don't have a high tolerance for frustration, please check again in some time. It will become more stable with every release.

With alpha software, there are some important caveats:

The software can crash anytime for no apparent reason.
Data loss or corruption might occur while using the software.
The render output can change between versions while we fix bugs in the render engine.
Until we are at a stable 1.0, previously saved configurations could be incompatible with newer versions.

When you find bugs, please be descriptive in reporting the problem:

Provide instructions on how to reproduce the problem.
Including a screencast or screenshot of the problem would be great.
It would be even better if you sent me a minimal test scene so I could reproduce the problem.
Rayscaper creates a log file under your home directory named SUEX_Rayscaper.log (e.g., C:/Users/Thomas Loockx/SUEX_Rayscaper.log). Attach that log file to your bug report on the forum.
SketchUp creates a log file for each session, also attach this file. You can find it in your temp directory (Use explorer on Windows, and type %Temp% in the address bar). The file format looks like: SketchUpLog-2023-09-06-08_17_10.log

I’m a solo developer, so I must manage my time. Here’s how I prioritize bug reports:

Crashes, my primary goal is to deliver rock-solid software.
Render bugs. The output should be correct.
Workflow issues are things that don’t work well or make the software clunky.
New render features.

Rayscaper is commercial software, and I aim to make money selling this software. Once the software is stable and feature-complete enough, I will start selling it.You can find the tentative roadmap here.

Have fun and maintain a positive attitude. Crashes and bugs will happen, but let's work together to improve the software! Please do share your work in progress. That helps me maintain a positive attitude when I’m drowning in bug reports

Special thanks to Rich O'Brien. Without his testing, support, and feedback over several months, this release wouldn't have happened. Thank you sir!

Happy rendering!

Rich O Brien

Here's a shader ball scene to test rendering on your device...

rs_shader_ball-scene.skp

Its easy to set a material or drag in a hdri...

I would recommend tweaking the Render Method and Sample count to get a good feel for the output

To test DOF try this...

Rich O Brien

Here's a v2021 skp file because the one above is v8 and it loses materials....

rs_shader_ball-scene[v2020].skp

If you run into issues rendering use the Clear Data button...

...then render and have a play

jessereynolds

Is this expected to run on macos? Or only Windows? (I only use sketchup on mac).

Cheers
Jesse

pixelcruncher

@jessereynolds said:

Is this expected to run on macos? Or only Windows? (I only use sketchup on mac).

Cheers
Jesse

Hey Jesse,

A Mac version of Rayscaper is planned but not yet for this alpha phase. Stay tuned!

Cheers,
Thomas

JGA

screengrab
Would it be possible for images not to be linked to an imgur account? I can't see the files on this site. Thanks.

pixelcruncher

Here are explainer videos that show how to install Rayscaper for SketchUp. Either installation method works, you can choose whichever is more convenient for you.

Option 1: Install via the SU extension store

Youtube Video

Option 2: Download manually and install via the SketchUp extension manager

Youtube Video

Happy Rendering!
Thomas

pixelcruncher

Hey folks,

I also created a quick start video, using Rich O' Brien's demo shader ball.

Youtube Video

Happy Rendering!
Thomas

pixelcruncher

@jga said:

[attachment=0:goadxfax]screengrab.png[/attachment:goadxfax]
Would it be possible for images not to be linked to an imgur account? I can't see the files on this site. Thanks.

Hey JGA,

The images are visible for me, not sure what is happening... You can use the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23A-TYc9u6o - This explains the same thing that Rich is explaining with his screenshots.

Cheers,
Thomas

Mike Amos

OK, where is the material editor available please? I get the toolbar but the plugin does not appear in the extensions drop down menu.

pixelcruncher

@mike amos said:

OK, where is the material editor available please? I get the toolbar but the plugin does not appear in the extensions drop down menu.

Hey Mike,

There's a quick start guide on the plugin page: https://sketchucation.com/plugin/2677-rayscaper - Have a look at the quick start video; in case that's not enough, I sent you a message and can help to unblock you.

Cheers,
Thomas

ntxdave

I am having a problem installing and implementing the Rayscaper plugin. After the installation, here is the problem I am seeing:

Rayscaper Install Problem.png

The plugin has been installed
The toolbar does not show up in the SketchUp toolbar
When you try to view the available toolbars, Rayscaper does not show up as an option.

I also tried closing SketchUp and reopening and the results are still the same.
What have I done wrong?

pixelcruncher

@ntxdave said:

I am having a problem installing and implementing the Rayscaper plugin. After the installation, here is the problem I am seeing:

[attachment=0:2drdux3b]Rayscaper Install Problem.png[/attachment:2drdux3b]

The plugin has been installed

The toolbar does not show up in the SketchUp toolbar

When you try to view the available toolbars, Rayscaper does not show up as an option.

I also tried closing SketchUp and reopening and the results are still the same.
What have I done wrong?

Hey Dave,

You are right, I can reproduce it here. If you open the Ruby console (Window > Ruby Console) you will see that there's an issue loading Rayscaper when opening SU 2020.

It's only for SU 2020, which I haven't tested (Only SU 2023 / 2022 / 2021). I'm figuring out what's happening and will provide an update here.

Cheers,
Thomas

ntxdave

Thanks for the feedback. I thought I had done something wrong. 2020 is the latest version I have and Rich's model was 2020 so I expected everything to go smoothly.

BTW: When I comes time to document the plugin, I would suggest you look at [ur=https://skatter.help.lindale.io/getting-startedl]Skatter Help[/url]. They have a great (IMO) site for learning how to used the features of their plugin.

ntxdave

I just saw your documentation on the Rayscaper website. You can ignore my documentation comment in my previous post. I think it is headed in a great direction. Rayscaper Documentation

Even though it is still a work in progress, you should have them post a link to it on the SketchUcation plugin page. It would let potential users see where you are headed.

ntxdave

On yesterday's post, I should have also included the SketchUp View>Toolbars window that showed that Rayscaper also did not show up there as an option. I am sure you know (found it out) as well but I am showing it here incase others may also be trying it.

Rascaper Install Problem v2.png

pixelcruncher

@ntxdave said:

Thanks for the feedback. I thought I had done something wrong. 2020 is the latest version I have and Rich's model was 2020 so I expected everything to go smoothly.

BTW: When I comes time to document the plugin, I would suggest you look at Skatter Help. They have a great (IMO) site for learning how to used the features of their plugin.

Edit I would also suggest that you check back to 2017. I see a number of users on this forum that are still using 2017. I would also suggest you post an interior and an exterior render.

Hey Dave,

I figured out that supporting SU2020 requires another Rayscaper build (because it requires re-compilation against a different Ruby version). This is a bit more work, can you try it out with SU2021 or higher?

Thanks for the pointer to the Skatter docs, that's indeed great documentation. As you already noticed, I started creating my own documentation here: https://rayscaper.com/docs/

Yeah, I should post more renders, the problem is that I am not an artist/creator. So my strategy is to keep fixing bugs and making improvements until someone comes along and finds it good enough to create a good render

Regards,
Thomas

ntxdave

@pixelcruncher said:

@ntxdave said:

Hey Dave,

I figured out that supporting SU2020 requires another Rayscaper build (because it requires re-compilation against a different Ruby version). This is a bit more work, can you try it out with SU2021 or higher?

No, 2020 is the latest version I have.

Rich O Brien

ntxdave

Nice Rich

Do you have an interior and/or exterior model that you could render and post in this thread?