No, I haven't, but that looks like a good potential resource. Thank you!

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Sketchup and Podium, and have been trying to figure things out on my own as I go. I'm a graduate student in interior design and was hoping to render my final presentation images (for next week) using Podium. I've applied materials to my scene, dropped in furniture, and thought that I was ready to go. I used some omni lights for the interior, but the renderings are coming out dark, and well, a disaster. They are gray and washed out... not at all showing the vibrant brass or reflective mirrored surfaces.

In one, there's even these weird ink blot shapes, which might be shadows, but from what, I'm not sure.

I've been rendering using soft omni shadows, a neutral intensity, Podium sky, and have tried a variety of different light powers for my omnis (not changing the color).

Any tips or advice on rendering, or why mine are turning out the way they are? I've attached a couple for reference. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!