Shaderlight is now faster and more efficient thanks to the release of version 2.4.

This latest update to Shaderlight delivers dramatically improved export and rendering performance to users when rendering complex components such as trees from 3D Warehouse or using Replace Me functionality. In tests, Shaderlight 2.4 has reduced memory usage up to 90%.

This latest release which has focussed around the way we use instancing has delivered fantastic results particularly when rendering complex SketchUp scenes.

Existing v2 users get the update for free.

(www.artvps.com)

Thanks
Kate

We know that everyone's rendering requirements differ so we've just launched a new way of rendering with Shaderlight. Our new Timed Access Licenses let you pay for the rendering time you need – whether its to boost rendering capacity for a large project, render a one off image or simply spread the cost of rendering your SketchUp models.

You can choose from 30 days, 3 or 6 month licenses from $50.

(www.artvps.com)

Thanks
Kate

Looks great Dan - using the background image really brings the interior to life!

@unknownuser said:

I like Sketchup very much but it is not suited for complex models with lots of trees or grass.

This is exactly the reason we developed Shaderlight's Replace Me feature. Being able to replace a complex model with a simple 2D proxy in your SketchUp scene that renders in glorious 3D with Shaderlight has been a real hit amongst landscape designers using complex tree and plant models.

For those of you who've not seen them yet, we've uploaded 20 new Replace Me trees and 4 new people to 3D warehouse.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/cldetails?mid=e5a38ff70bfc12149f7cb96e21753677&prevstart=0

To accompany the new models, we've also published a step by step tutorial on our blog explaining how you can create your own Replace Me components using your own library of SketchUp models or those found on 3D Warehouse.

http://shaderlight.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/create-your-own-replace-me-components/

Remember, you can also upload your own Replace Me models to the warehouse to share with other Shaderlight users - we'd love to see them!

Real-world lighting has never been easier to render, with the launch today of Shaderlight V2.1!

For this latest release we've combined forces with Visa Lighting to create a readily available library of lighting fixtures as SketchUp 3D models, incorporating IES lighting files that are ready to render.

Selected from Visa Lighting’s complete collection of fixtures, the models are simply imported from Shaderlight’s 3D Warehouse library into any SketchUp scene and when you hit render Shaderlight will then render the correct lighting and colour shadow detail for each individual fixture.

Watch our tutorial video to see how the light fixtures work http://youtu.be/5UpDMJhE6L8.

Visit our website for full details of what's new and to download the latest version. Existing 2.0 customers can get the new update for FREE!

http://www.artvps.com

Until January 4th 2012 we are offering 25% off any full license of Shaderlight Pro v2 with the code DECPROM0.

We've also dropped the price of v1 to v2 upgrades to $50 for a limited time.

So if you're rendering with Shaderlight free and want to make the most of your renders with the Pro features then now is a good time to upgrade!

If you've not tried Shaderlight yet, we're also giving you the chance to win a free license if you download and activate the free 14 day trial this month.

So, what are you waiting for - head to http://www.shaderlight.com now and start rendering!

If you've not already seen, Shaderlight v2 is now available to download.

As well as performance improvements and feature enhancements there are two fantastic new features that we think you'll love!

Replace Me
Unique to Shaderlight v2 – Replace Me enables you to render detailed models without filling your SketchUp scene with geometry. Models that have previously slowed SketchUp are no longer a problem when replaced with a proxy and render perfectly in Shaderlight.

Scene animation
The animation feature adds a new button to the Shaderlight toolbar and will enable users to create photoreal renders of their SketchUp scene animations. As well as being able to render existing SketchUp scene animations this new feature will also support scene animations created using the SUanimate and Keyframe Animation plug-ins.

Take a look at our website to download your copy and why not check out the v2 video too! http://www.artvps.com/index.php/products/shaderlight/what-is-shaderlight

We look forward to hearing your feedback!

@davedesign said:

hi notareal,

I was wondering does anyone know a good website where I can get nice background pictures of any kind of landscape etc. ?

regards

Hi Dave

As a Shaderlight customer you can access all of the background images on our website http://www.artvps.com/index.php/tutorials/lighting-images/

It would be great to see some of your renders!

Kate

Great work both of you!

A question we're often asked is how to get the best results when using image based lighting in renders so I thought I'd share with you the video of a webinar we hosted yesterday. It also features details on using IES lights in Shaderlight.

Hope you find it of interest.
Kate

For those of you who aren't signed up to receive our regular newsletter you can view all the latest news from Shaderlight here http://mim.io/5a9df This month features news on the licensing updates we've made to make using Shaderlight even easier!

Thanks

Kate

On March 30th our very own Martin Cox will be guest presenting a webinar for Go-2-School all about Shaderlight.

For more information or to register click here - http://www.go-2-school.com/webinars/register/32

Hi mitcorb

If you're worried about the interactivity of Shaderlight bogging down your hardware you can use the software's auto updates for low res pre-visualisation renders and then switch to tiled mode for your finished image. A lot of our customers are finding that this really speeds up the time it takes to get the result they're after.

Thanks
Kate

Since we launched Shaderlight for SketchUp back in October we’ve been inundated with emails asking when the Mac version will be released. Well the wait is over – you can download Shaderlight for your Mac!

Head to http://www.shaderlight.com to download your free version or a 14 day trial of the fully featured Shaderlight Pro!

Since launching Shaderlight back in October we've had hundreds of users asking 'When's the Mac version coming?' Well, it's here!

It doesn't end there - in addition to the Mac version we've also made some fantastic performance and quality improvements on the Windows version too!

We’re all a bit excited about the new releases so to celebrate we’re giving you 25% off any full priced version of Shaderlight for SketchUp (Mac and Windows) until March 31st 2011.

Checkout this new video from Martin http://www.artvps.com/index.php/products/shaderlight/what-is-shaderlight

And try the software for yourself by downloading the free version or 14 day trial from our website http://www.shaderlight.com

Thanks
Kate

Nice work Bryan!

Thanks for all your Winter Wonderland renders so far - they've been great. However, to give those of you who've contacted me over the holidays time to finish your masterpieces we've extended the deadline to January 31st 2011.

Keep them coming to shaderlight@artvps.com

Nice work! Glad to see you chose Shaderlight for your first render too

[quote="minguinhirigue"]
Render[In] and Shaderlight are still in beta-phase but both have thoses abilities you are looking for.
quote]

The full release of Shaderlight was launched in October and can be downloaded from http://www.shaderlight.com. At the moment it's Windows only but a Mac version is due in Feb 2011.

Shaderlight is a tool designed to work with your workflow. Its simplicity and high quality results and seamless integration with SketchUp make it the perfect tool to dive straight in to.

Let us know what you think!