Why don't you use 3Ds MAX with Vray (I know it is expensive) via boot camp (I would prefer XP, not vista). You can model on SU then render on Max. You can control the environment a lot better than any program I guess. Alternatively C4D with Vray or Maya with V-ray can be used. On windows Rhino also have Vray. I have not used it before but some people say that Modo 302 native renderer is very good (3D painting is excellent by the way).

I use a Macbook Pro 2.5Ghz C2D, 2GB ram, Nvidia 8600m gt 512 mb, It works pretty well. However my latest model was too complicated and time by time it was hard to navigate and create new objects. The configuration that is sufficient for you depends on what you are doing. I would prefer having a workstation graphics card. However cpu is more than enough. I get renders on Vray and it is really fast.

My way can be weird. I generally model everything ('cause I love to design in 3D) then section the model and export the othographics as DWGs (fix, organize and give lineweight in AutoCAD). After that, get render with Vray for SU. If I have time, I usually export it to 3Ds MAX and render with Vray, Photoshop or illustrator for further visualization. Finally, create a layout with pdf exported DWGs and renderings in InDesign. Go and get it printed as pdf export from Indesign.

Have you ever tried to uninstall and clean all files dedicated to SU and reinstall? Also if you are not using the latest version, maybe updating helps. If you can not fix it, go on windows version.

Yeah I guess so. Ram is the limiting factor. Similiar results occured with different computers having the same amount of RAM. It can not be about processor or VRAM.

Just wait for a while I can watch them. Just checked.

Tutorial is a flash movie. You dont have to download it. Check you flash plug-in of you browser. Also the other Photoshop tutorials of this guy are very handy for us.

Vray Vray Vray If you want realism. You can achieve everything by using Vray for Sketchup. Then you can make it better by using Photoshop and Illustrator (color corrrections, adding people, trees, graphics etc). There are a lot of tutorials on net that you can find by googling it.

Do you mean more realistic by saying nice? The second version I think is a lot better without anything else. It is a good illustration except the tree on the right corner For the realistic version I think just render it with Vray do not use regular SU export' then add people by using mask in Photoshop. After that, you should seperate the shadows in different layers. http://lucky13.deviantart.com/art/Drop-Shadows-and-More-A-Movie-16850075 This tutorial helps i guess. If the results for renders will not be satisfying, I recommend to use 3Ds Max with Vray which has more options to control the environment and UWV.