Hello-

I have been learning SketchUp for about (3) months now, mostly concentrating on making my own material library from .jpeg images. The GSU materials I am creating are of different stone; pavers, wallstone, stone veneers. The problem I am having is these images need to be photo realistic in print. I notice the images are represented better on my monitor than in the print.

What factors do I need to make this possible!? I (think I) understand a high pixel & dpi count make for the crispest pictures, but my materials still look 'cartoony' to me in GSU.

I wanted my final product, the stone, to look photo realistic for selling purposes. How do I acheive that in GSU alone(the ideal situation)? Or do I need to use a rendering program? If so, please guide me. Most of my materials in my GSU model will be viewed outside in direct sunlight.

FYI- This has been my process to create the materials shown in the GSU model;

1. Took an original jpeg image;~1550x750 pixels, with a dpi of 180.
2. I opened the jpeg file in'Texture Studio' to adjust the image & create a seamless texture with resulted being; a bitmap image 1024x1024 pixels, bit depth 24.(Not sure what a bit depth is?)
3. In the GSU model I created the material using the bitmap image and applied to the model.
4. I exported a 2D image (attached) from GSU. It's properties are; ~1200x850 pixel, bit depth 24, 96 dpi.

Any advice for this learning novice is much appreciated.

Thank you very much.

-Donna

I was wondering if there is a best choice of style (including mixing the settings)that would best represent a photo (ie. jpeg image) being used as a material.

Thank you Thom Thom!
New to SketchUp 8 (1) month. Had the 'no transparency in 2D export" problem. Found SketchUcation , found your plug in , fixed my problem.

Thank you very much.

-Donna