So i've been trying some tricks with Podium ... but i think i don't really understand the function of the program 
No matter how hard i try, i keep on getting dark images such as this one
Ok - the photorealistic effect is there - but its not the point to have a view "by night"
I've posted pictures of my kitchen in the gallery section 
So i have been trying several things out with SU, the results are each time nice (to my standards, nothing compared to the works of art that some people here make)
However, there is one thing that i just can't do (yet) .. making my project look "real"
Every project i made was each time in 1:1 scale, exact dimensions, the exact colours, ... but they still look like a PC-made design.
While most of the projects posted here have that "yes we are virtual, but we look mighty real" effect.
How do i manage to do that ? is it playing with light-effects ? (i've tried shadows but it didn't improve that much) or do we go and make some details with Photoshop ... ?
Your advice would be highly appreciated.
If you have links to manuals, guides, ... to do such things (even with external software) please link me .. i just love to learn and try
Hello people
My name is Gavin but im commonly known as "Maxx" (now this is a long story)
My location is Darling - South Africa ... a cosy little town that brings honour to our Rainbow nation - last time they verified - we had people living here from over 90 different nationalities
I'm completely hooked on SketchUp, i think its a very addictive program - the level of satisfaction i get out of it is huge
I joined this board on advise of somebody - it seems that this is the place to be for help
I will do my utter best to contribute as much as possible to the community
Thank you
We are going to start with this
On the left side - the "old" part of the city, with app 880 people living in it
Centre side - industrial - which is actually the biggest part of town - there is more shops and industry here than in any mid-sized town
Right side : combo new part / township with app 8000 people living in it
Luckely for me, this is not such a big place and i have plenty of time on my hands
But any form of advise is very welcome, one can never be educated enough
edit : and i'm from South Africa's, the country of boets and bru's and where everything is lekker
Very artistique ... i love it
Is that a style that comes standard with SU ?
I just love it
It makes me think about an old plan for a design made by an ancient civilization, that you just found in a rusty pirate chest ... 
@tomislavm said:
Hy!
How can I help you.
Hi - at this stage im going to be wrestling with the idea myself (and combine it with my current professional activities) but help and advise will be most welcome when i post the updates on the project from time to time
waw - its stunning !
Edit : forgive me for my ignorance, but could it be that there is no depth in the buildings ? On my screen it looks like the complete structure has been drawn on 1 surface ?
Yes, i have been admiring his work
I think gods hand must have been involved in this - 2 different people spread over the world with the same idea on the same board 
Town ... that is actually a big word ... our "town" is divided in 2, and our part only has app 880 people living in it (and most of them aren't even South African)
I got this crazy idea last night that it would be a very nice project for me to go and recreate my home town in SU ...
So i don't know what your opinions are on the matter ... heard that it was very "cool" of me, other people say that i have to much time on my hands ..
But in any case - i will be posting updates here on the forum on regular bases, so that you guys can give me your input
Bonjour
ca fait un bon bout de temps que j'ai parle francais, mais je vais faire de mon mieux
Le bienvenue
J'habite en Afrique du Sud mais j'ai ete un peux partout dans le monde
And my appologies for the mistakes in my French language - it has been a while
Hi there - welcome
We have people from all over the world here