Hi all, I need to learn how to model and render very organic timber/wood. I have attached some images the renders I have done (the Wigwam and "fairy garden log")However they take a while and are not optimal I have achieved these with standard techniques. The real wood images are like what I aim to achieve.
Are there techniques with mapping and texturing that would improve my efficiency and produce more realistic results? I have seen some pretty amazing things done with texture and I assume "bump" but that is beyond my skill level ATM. Can somebody please let me know if there is another approach I should learn for better results.

Hi all, I am in the process of getting my head around materials and textures. I see that when rendering to get "bump" I require a "normals" map. Since I am new to this, what is the difference between a "normal" and a " bump" map?

Hi I have played around with the render engine to try and improve on the first render. One problem was the fake looking fire which was a flat image. I made some simple 3d shapes and made most surfaces black. Then I made some of the smaller faces burnt orange and khaki and made then light emitters. I think its a big improvement. Comments and criticism welcome.

I hear you RV But no environment map here, just default Sun and sky.

Hi Nick, thanks for your advice. All points noted, I was aware of most of them but run out of energy. The render has no post processing and is just a render output only. The edge of the materials will be fixed in Photoshop when I am happy with the render. Its amazing how you can play about for hours fine tuning it is quite exhausting. I also thought the fire looked a bit intense so I will tone that down a bit. The plugin is called Raylectron (V4.95). Prior versions made me feel like a beta tester but I am really happy with it now and am excitedly waiting for version 5 to come out. I do not understand Trace depth, does a higher number mean a better render because as it bounces more times?

Hi all, this is my first go at interior rendering. I designed an extension for a friend and did the interior design also. It is not perfect but heading in the right direction I think.The render time was 14 mins with my CPU.

Cheers

I bought version 2 a while back, I thought it was awful especially how tricky it was with the orientation of faces. I stopped using it, buggy as anything. I then had a go with the Punch version (4.0) a vast improvement but still a bit "buggy" After persevering for about a year ( using now and again) Version 4.95 is very good indeed. I have tried a few (cheaper} render engines. Raylectron is the best money I have ever spent, and the support is second to none!

I am trying to import textures into SU. I seem to be able to import the image but not the normal map into the materials, as SU only allows me to select one of the files for instance the Image or the Normals map but not both. Obviously I am not doing it correctly can anyone lead me in the right direction?
Cheers

Guys I have just deleted the link to HDRI"s I posted Sorry but they contain some sort of virus
The site is called emotion HDRI"s when to use the HDRI it will do about 6 render cycles and then focus in on a texture and "No Emotion" will be displayed on that zoomed in on texture. Suggest you get rid of anything you downloaded ASAP

(edited) That was a false alarm. I do not know what happened with my first render, but I have downloaded a few HDRI;s and rendered with no issues. In fact they seem like vert good quality and work well.

http://noemotionhdrs.net/

Hi rv1974, it was strange. I was happily rendering it did about 6 passes, was looking good then all of a sudden the screen was filled with a shot of the ground, about 300mmx300mm with a watermark filling the screen and the rendering had ceased. Weird! I guess the words "no emotions" filling the screen looked like something an evil troll would sign, if you get my drift.

(Edited)I have downloaded a number of HDR;s from "No Emotion website with no other problems. In fact they work really well.

Guys I have just deleted the link to HDRI"s I posted in "corner bar" Sorry but they contain some sort of virus
The site is called emotion HDRI"s when to use the HDRI it will do about 6 render cycles and then focus in on a texture and "No Emotion" will be displayed on that zoomed in on texture. Suggest you get rid of anything you downloaded ASAP.

Actually I just found a site that looks like it has some good HDRI's. I am downloading some now. It looks like they have about 150 of them.

Hi Guys I am looking for some free HDRI skies? I have had a look at some but could not find anything suitable. Could somebody point me in the right direction please.

Thanks

Thanks again box

OK I admit it I am having issues with 2017.How do you save a scene in 2017? I normally use Window/scenes. I just did a search and it also says Window/scenes. Can somebody assist please.

Thanks guys I think I am one of those people that are no very open to change. Drag and drop

Hi guys, I am trying to import a Jpeg into Sketchup 2017. As a default it seems 2017 imports it as a texture only. Can I import a Jpeg into 2017?

My experience with 2017 makes me think Sketchup is not in good hands.

Thanks Rich, cant wait to have a go with Artisan.

Hi all, I am reasonably competent in sketchup but I am always amazed by renders of soft furnishings.They look so good with the creases, folds, imperfection and surface compliance with amazing textures. could anyone give me some hints on how I may get a grasp of it?

Thanks

I think that can all be done with taking more care with the follow me tool. The top surfaces of the model (where you want the red objects to be) could be selected and copied and given another material. Then put that back in place. When rendering make that new material Grass or fur (modified of course) or alternatively give that surface a material like sandpaper and give it heaps of bump.
Should work in theory.