It’s easy to see why so many architects,designers, and engineers have been beginning to use SketchUp on a daily. It’seasy to use, client friendly, and doesn’t cost you a dime to get things up andrunning. What once was at the butt end of every 3D visualization joke is now apowerhouse in the industry, and poised to grow even stronger as it continues tobe supported by its developers and its user community.
And when paired with the right renderingplugin, SketchUp transforms into a 3D rendering and visualization tool that hasthe potential to rival design software that has long been dubbed superior.
These are the top rendering plugins forSketchUp, all must-have addons that might even have you tossing the rest ofyour creative suite in the trash.
1 | vRay
Yes, the most ubiquitous and arguably powerfulrendering engine has made its way to SketchUp. In fact, it’s been here for awhile, and has been transforming people’s SketchUp models into photorealisticrenderings and animations for a number of years now. vRay for SketchUp is easyto install and get started with, offering the power of the world’s most usedrenderer to the speed and flexibility of the most commonly used modeler.
2 | Brighter 3D
Brighter 3D is a high-quality rendering pluginthat has supported SketchUp since 2008. It uses an unbiased rendering algorithmthat provides plenty of power and the ability to quickly produce renders forcritique, feedback, and easy tweaking. There is a free version of Brighter 3Dfor those looking to test the waters before diving in head first. And whileBrighter 3D is developed by a small team and occasionally presents bugs, it islightning quick, affordable, and incredibly easy to use - all three thingsSketchUp itself is credited with.
3 | SU Podium
SU Podium is a favorite among architects andinterior designers for the ease in which it can produce detailed and life-likearchitectural visualizations from a detailed SketchUp model. Their developmentphilosophy has always been to simplify their interface to work best withSketchUp’s streamlined approach. This has resulted in a marriage that is aseamless as it is fruitful, giving designers the ability to translate theirwork into results without the need of an expensive rendering consultant.
4 | LumenRT
LumenRT provides a robust and easy tounderstand toolset that works best for designers and artists who rely heavilyon landscape and terrain to improve the realism of their rendered scenes.LumenRT doesn’t actually have a specific plugin for SketchUp, but the models youbuild in Google’s modeling software can be easily imported into Lumen, where itcan be set up with the material libraries, lighting and entourage capabilitiesof LumenRT.
5 | Maxwell
A name that is almost as well known as vRay.Maxwell has been around since before SketchUp was even a name, so it’s easy tosee why this renderer is help in such high regard by 3D rendering andvisualization artists. It’s the household name of household names, and thereasons why are in the quality of results Maxwell produces time and time again.The plugin for SketchUp is no different, offering professionals somethingfamiliar to hang on to as they push and pull their way through their 3D models.
6 | Caravaggio
Named after one of the most well-known ItalianBaroque painters, Caravaggio 3D is a simple, lean rendering plugin that isdefinitely worth a look. They offer a free trial (200 renderings) to see ifit’s something that might add value to your work. The plugin works directlywith your SketchUp model and has material and lighting editors for finetweaking and final production.
7 | Indigo Renderer
Indigo boasts one of the most impressivereal-world lighting physics models, even when pitted against some of the biggernames on this list. The plugin for SketchUp works just as you’d hope, and willtransform your models from blocky lines and shapes into magnificent works ofart. Yes, it is that good. If you’re looking for a product to do most of thework for you and make you look like a seasoned professional, jump now and give IndigoRenderer a try.
Powerful engine combined with the simplicity of SketchUp. Biased, Unbiased and Interactive Render modes with the joy of rendering inside SketchUp view. Enrich your models with highly detailed content, with no limitations.
Back Face Material Support
Different materials can be applied to the front and back face of a surface allowing the creation of unique effects like fabric, leaves and more.
Interactive Render Overlay
Thea for SketchUp allows you to run interactive rendering either inside Thea window or directly inside the SketchUp view, a feature that we call interactive render overlay. Additionally, with the use of interactive region rendering, you can select and render a region of the SketchUp view, providing ultra-fast feedback for complex scenery. It is a valuable tool in the workflow as it gives you an immediate visualization of modifications to the geometry, environment, depth of field, reflections, light distribution, material properties and external Thea models.
Advanced Material Editor
The advanced Thea material editor has been fully integrated in SketchUp, bringing all the advanced and unique features of Thea materials. The user interface has been redesigned from scratch following SketchUp’s simplicity and ease of use.
Adjust Exposure
The Adjust Exposure button takes away the manual process of finding the correct exposure of the rendered image with one click. On top of that, three new exposure presets have been added for different scene types (interior, interior with sunlight, exterior).
Proxy Creation from FBX
In Thea for SketchUp it is possible to import FBX, OBJ, DAE and 3DS files and convert them to Proxy Models. While importing a file the user is able to adjust the proxy materials.
Online Repository
The Online Repository [link] can now be accessed directly from the Thea content browser. To download an online material, double-click the thumbnail. After the download is complete, the material can be applied with the Bucket tool. Since downloaded materials are saved locally, there is no need to re-download them.
Stereoscopic Rendering
Stereoscopic image output exports two 360-degree images for both eyes, letting you see the model in 3D using simple red-cyan glasses or VR headset.
Fog & Cloud Presets
With Thea for SketchUp you can adjust the Global Medium of your scene, via the settings at the Environment tab. The Fog preset allows you to control the fog density, the bottom and top positions, and create unique photorealistic renderings.
Additionally, there is also a Cloud material preset for adding volumetric effects on defined solid groups or components.
Interactive Render Overlay
Thea for SketchUp allows you to run interactive rendering either inside Thea window or directly inside the SketchUp view, a feature that we call interactive render overlay. Additionally, with the use of interactive region rendering, you can select and render a region of the SketchUp view, providing ultra-fast feedback for complex scenery. It is a valuable tool in the workflow as it gives you an immediate visualization of modifications to the geometry, environment, depth of field, reflections, light distribution, material properties and external Thea models.
Advanced Material Editor
The advanced Thea material editor has been fully integrated in SketchUp, bringing all the advanced and unique features of Thea materials. The user interface has been redesigned from scratch following SketchUp’s simplicity and ease of use.
Online Repository
The Online Repository [link] can now be accessed directly from the Thea content browser. To download an online material, double-click the thumbnail. After the download is complete, the material can be applied with the Bucket tool. Since downloaded materials are saved locally, there is no need to re-download them.
Proxy Creation from FBX
In Thea for SketchUp it is possible to import FBX files and convert them to Proxy Models. While importing an FBX file the user is able to adjust the proxy materials.
Fog & Cloud Presets
With Thea for SketchUp you can adjust the Global Medium of your scene, via the settings at the Environment tab. The Fog preset allows you to control the fog density, the bottom and top positions, and create unique photorealistic renderings.
Additionally, there is also a Cloud material preset for adding volumetric effects on defined solid groups or components.
Stereoscopic Rendering
Stereoscopic image output exports two 360-degree images for both eyes, letting you see the model in 3D using simple red-cyan glasses or VR headset.
Custom Scene Update
Section Cuts
Light Editing Tool
Advanced Shadow Catcher
Photoshop PSB/PSD output
Resume Rendering
More Features
- Spectral Renderer
- Batch Render Tool
- Point Lights (Omni, Spot, IES)
- Access many ready-to-use high quality materials.
Custom Scene Update
The Custom Scene Update buttons allow the user to control the update of materials, geometry, lights, and proxies every time the scene starts rendering. This makes it possible to turn off geometry updates when you only want to edit materials or lighting.
Section Cuts
Section cuts are now supported in SketchUp 2014 (and newer versions). Section cuts allow you to cut through buildings and rooms maintaining the same interior lighting as if the external walls were still in place.
Light Editing Tool
Thea for SketchUp has its own point lights. The Light editing tool not only allows precise light positioning, but it can also give live feedback while rendering interactively in the main window.
Advanced Shadow Catcher
Integrate your models into a scene with a background image, introducing realistic shadows produced by IBL, Sun and Thea Point Lights. It can also produce real reflections on the ground-plane.
Photoshop PSD/PSB support
Thea for SketchUp supports Photoshop PSB/PSD files (8, 16 and 24bit). This makes it possible to save multi-layer images in large formats.
Resume Rendering
Any rendered image can be saved as an .img.thea file. This file can be reloaded inside Thea Rendering Window at any time allowing the user to resume a rendering.
More Features
- Spectral Renderer
- Batch Render Tool
- Point Lights (Omni, Spot, IES)
- Access many ready-to-use high quality materials.
Oriental house on the plains
by David Hennessy
Cathedral View
by David Hennessy
Tiny Reception
by Juan Carlos Uribe
Sunlit Loft Space
by Jakob Winter
Lad musician Nagoya
by Massimo Siracusa
Flower Bed
by David Hier
Windows
Windows 7/8/10 64-bit, Intel SSE3 CPU (or compatible),
for Presto GPU
Nvidia CUDA Graphics Card (Compute Capability 2.x/3.x/5.x/6.x/7.0/7.5) with latest graphics driver or
AMD Graphics Card (Hawaii, Tahiti, Pitcairn, Capeverde, Bonaire) with latest OpenCL and graphics drivers,
SketchUp 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Make or Pro)
Thea Render Sketchup Plugin, light simulation and our unique material system ensure that all your images will take advantage of these essential qualities. No matter whether you render a simple interior design or a detailed product presentation with complex materials the image will tell a whole story for itself. You can focus on your artistic expression while Thea Render Sketchup Plugin will take care of the final result.
MacOSX
MacOSX 10.9 or above, Intel SSE3 CPU (or compatible),
for Presto GPU *
Nvidia CUDA Graphics Card (Compute Capability 2.x/3.x/5.x/6.x/7.0) with latest CUDA and web graphics driver,
SketchUp 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Make or Pro)
* Note that support for OSX 10.14 (Mojave) is currently pending due to driver incompatibility.
Google SketchUp is quickly becoming the most widely-used
3D modeling tool in the architecture and design industries, and it’s easy to
see why. SketchUp offers a user-friendly toolset that is easy for designers to
pick up and use to help them with their work. It is the quickest way to
understand how a project is coming together in glorious three dimensions and
helps cut down on spending valuable time wrestling with other, more cumbersome
programs.
And to the delight of architects around the globe, the
ability to integrate rendering software with SketchUp’s design tools elevate it
to an all-in-one presentation powerhouse that lets them produce mind-blowing
renderings and visualizations completely in house.
However, there are a lot of renderers to choose from, and
they aren’t all created equally. This list aims to outline the best rendering
plugins and integrated software that work with SketchUp, and which ones might
be perfect for you depending on the kind of design work you’re doing.
This is the best rendering software for Google SketchUp.
vRay
vRay has been at the top of the rendering software
mountain since 3D visualization became a thing. It is powerful, ubiquitous, and
comes with a massive support community that will help new users get their feet
wet without too steep a learning curve. vRay makes a plugin for SketchUp that
integrates seamlessly, ensuring you never have to leave the program to set your
scenes, apply materials, and tweak lighting conditions on the fly.
SU Podium
Podium is a favorite among architects and architectural
designers because it has a user interface that reflects the streamlined and
efficient inputs of SketchUp itself. It might not have the most well-known
brand name attached to it, but make no mistake: SU Podium is capable of producing
renderings and visualizations that are just as impressive as some of the giants
in the industry. Podium has a great support community, and easy-to-find
tutorials that help new users get quickly up to speed with how to best utilize
the program’s potential.
Maxwell
Another household name, and another reason why SketchUp
has become such a capable presentation tool. Maxwell has been around for almost
as long as vRay, and has managed to keep up with the best rendering software
available because of the dedication to excellence demonstrated by its
developers. They knew they had something special when SketchUp gained
popularity, so they jumped on-board with a plugin that was geared specifically
towards making it a better renderer. The result is a power couple that is hard
to best in the design and visualization world.
Indigo Renderer
While Indigo Renderer is a bit of a lesser known quantity
among some of the more popular engines on this list, it certainly shouldn’t be
disregarded as inferior. In fact, Indigo is fully capable of producing
photorealistic renderings that stand tall against the other giants on this
list. One of Indigo’s coolest features is its physics-based lighting modulator
that produces some of the most believable conditions for interior and exterior
lighting. Pair this with a fast rendering algorithm and seamless SketchUp
integration, and you have yourself a viable up and comer in the 3D
visualization industry.
LumenRT
LumenRT is great for designers and landscape architects
who rely heavily on terrain and landscape manipulation for their work. It’s
toolset slots in nicely with SketchUp’s, and even has a few topography
modifiers that help shine light on one of SketchUp’s most glaring blind spots.
In addition to all that, LumenRT is a renderer fully capable of producing
images and animations that help explain why your designs are worth celebrating.
And while they are still working on a plugin for SketchUp, your 3D models can
be easily imported into Lumen for modifications and manipulations.
Visualizer
Visualizer might not be the most high-end renderer
available for SketchUp, but it is certainly the most user-friendly. You can see
your models come to life in real lighting and materiality conditions as you
design, making SketchUp an instantly better design tool right out of the box.
The visualizations it produces aren’t print quality, but it is a great entry
point for people looking for something easy, free, and fast to get start honing
their rendering chops. There is no risk involved in giving Visualizer a try,
and the rewards could be a better end product for you and your clients.
SketchUp and Photoshop based tutorials (sometimes additional software depending on tutorial). Learn how to perfect your modeling with new post-processing skills, techniques and easy to follow step by step instructions provided by highly talented professional contributors.
Making of Townhouse – a digital watercolor by Benedict Martin Caliwara
This NPR technique is suitable for quick conceptual design presentation, producing such remarkable similarity to traditional watercolor paintings.
Photoshop Breakdown: modern office building by David Drazil
David Drazil is an architecture student from the Czech Republic, currently finishing his studies in Denmark. The final image was originally an entry for the 3D challenge held by SketchUp Texture Club. The goal was to create the best possible visualization depicting the building, designed and modeled in SketchUp by Quốc Hữu Trần. The SketchUp model was the only thing provided for the competition. David says ” I was attracted by the theme and its freedom”. In this great tutorial David guides you through his detailed workflow.
Architectural Elevation: digital watercolor effect for presentations by Benedict Martin Caliwara
Learn how to apply a digital watercolor effect to an architectural elevation. All building elevations and construction details are directly exported from SketchUp. Rendering and layering procedure is done using Adobe Photoshop. You will need a basic knowledge of Trimble SketchUp and some photo editing skills for this tutorial.
Click on image to view tutorial
How to Populate Your Render – seamlessly by Simon Oudiette
In this in-depth tutorial, Simon goes over the steps that he takes when adding people to an interior render. With these tips, its sure to make a huge impact on your work.
Digital Watercolor Painted in Photoshop by Thanet Chanasakul
In this tutorial, I will be showing how to edit render output images, giving it a feeling and effect of watercolors through the use of Photoshop. You will need some knowledge of SketchUp and rendering, including post processing in a photo editor.
Click on image to view tutorial
Making Of: “campus aerial” illustration by Kirk Fromm
This short tutorial shows the steps taken to create an aerial rendering of a school campus partially from a photograph.
Making of Carillon: a digital watercolor tutorial by Benedict Martin Caliwara
In this tutorial, we will explore the different techniques of applying watercolor effects in digital rendering using a different combination of various software.
Click on image to view tutorial
Making of “Fellowship” rendering by Kirk Fromm
Kirk Fromm is a internationally recognized architectural illustrator and leading provider of NPR (non photo-realistic) renderings, using a combination of both traditional and digital techniques in his workflow. This project was commissioned to show the impact of a theatre addition on an existing senior residential facility.
Making of Silver Mountain Condominiums by Les Chylinski
Les Chylinski combines traditional and digital rendering techniques to produce refined architectural renderings for his clients. In this step by step progression, Les has documented his workflow of a winter scene using Adobe Photoshop over a SketchUp output image. Game of thrones hd free.
Click on image to view tutorial
The Making of Viking Pavilion – interior daytime by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering high-quality illustration services to architects, designers and developers for fifteen years. He uses a digital process to produce imagery that ranges in technique from photo-realistic to simulated watercolor effects. This flexibility allows the client to choose a rendering style that best suits the character and mood of the subject matter and resonates most deeply with the intended audience.
This series of renderings for the Viking Pavilion project (eight in all) were created for a presentation to potential donors, and especially alumni of Portland State University (PSU).
Making of Boathouse illustration by Kirk Fromm
Kirk Fromm, internationally recognized architectural illustrator and a leading provider of NPR (non photo-realistic) renderings, uses a combination of both traditional and digital techniques in his workflow. In this “Making of”, Kirk creates a hybrid that takes advantage of both methods, thus fast and flexible as well as loose and engaging.
Click on image to view tutorial
Quick Concept Sketching using SketchUp and Photoshop by Jeremy Kay
Exploring further workflows in Architectural Visualization, SketchUpArtists would like to present a NPR (Non-Photorealistic) rendering approach kindly contributed to us by Jeremy Kay. No rendering software was used in this tutorial, only basic SketchUp output, with all final work carried out in Photoshop.
The Glass House – a Photoshop Tutorialby Brent Adrian Balasbas
Based in the Philippines and studying Architecture, Brent Balasbas has kindly shared his latest tutorial on his Photoshop techniques with us. A V-Ray rendered output image of a SketchUp model (original subject, Glass House by Philip Johnson) was used in this particular tutorial.
Click on image to view tutorial
Art of SketchUp: Texture Workflow by Ken Nguyen
San Francisco based Professional designer and conceptual artist, Ken Nguyen has produced some really exciting textured SketchUp models and shows us here his workflow that he uses for these great 3D models.
The Making of Block 15 Terrace by Scott Baumberger
This image was created by Scott Baumberger as part of a competition entry for a proposed residential tower in Portland, Oregon. Being a competition, Scott wanted to provide only enough information to communicate the intended design without getting bogged down with to much detail. Scott takes us through the technique behind his workflow.
Click on image to view tutorial
Quick Architectural Marker Illustrations by Christopher Polanski
Architect Christopher Polanski recently completed a project for a client that required him to compose a series of faux-marker renderings and Chris has agreed to share his process with us here.
From SketchUp to Digital Watercolor by Nguyễn Ngọc Phúc
In this latest tutorial from Nguyễn Ngọc Phúc he lets us in on his method in creating a cool digital watercolor image from his SketchUp model. His workflow includes FotoSketcher, a free program which has the ability to convert your digital images into art automatically using fully adjustable filters…its fun to use too. He finally finishes off his tutorial with a little post processing in Photoshop to complete this superb digital work of art. Get reading!
Click on image to view tutorial
Watercolor Style Tutorial by AJ Cabalhao Aloro
This model was drawn in SketchUp and rendered in V-Ray for SketchUp. What I am trying to achieve in this tutorial is a nice simple watercolor effect using my image editor, in this case Photoshop.
The Making of 412 Broadway by Scott Baumberger
More super work from Scott Baumberger. Scott has certainly excelled himself this time with this wonderful architectural visualization workflow using SketchUp, a two minute render and Photoshop. Lots to see and learn in this highly detailed article and hopefully you will come away with new ideas, tips and techniques for your own daily workflow.
Click on image to view tutorial
Making of Aquarium of Canada by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. In this step by step guide Scott shows us his work-flow in producing a digital watercolor. Software used includes SketchUp, Shaderlight and Photoshop.
Watercolor Style – SketchUp, Fotosketcher and Photoshop by Jonathan Ignas
Architectural 2D to 3D visualizer and graphic artist Jonathan Ignas shows us his technique on how to create a digital watercolor using SketchUp, Fotosketcher and Photoshop. Basic skills in SketchUp and Photoshop are necessary to successfully complete this tutorial.
Click on image to view tutorial
SketchUp to Photoshop – no render engine required by Alex Hogrefe
As the title implies, this architecture illustration tutorial doesn’t use a rendering engine. Alex has done a few other tutorials in the past that don’t involve rendering programs, however this tutorial does things a little differently, and in less time.
Soft Colored Pencil Line Technique byJason Christiansen
Jason has his own unique style and here in this tutorial he shares some of his knowledge and workflow with this NPR style and technique that will produce some really professional looking final images for presentation.
Click on image to view tutorial
Exterior Night Rendering: SketchUp to Photoshop by Alex Hogrefe
This tutorial will create an artistic night rendering by exporting images from SketchUp to Photoshop. As in some of my previous tutorials no external rendering programs are needed… saving a lot of time!
Exporting Masks from SketchUp Models for Use in Photoshop by Lewis Wansworth
It’s somewhat peculiar to begin a tutorial for SketchUp with a prolonged discussion of a certain concept in image editing called masking. But without this clarification you might not quite understand why I set up my SketchUp models in a such a very specific manner. Read more on my unique technique to help you in your daily workflow.
Click on image to view tutorial
The Making of Down the Lane by John Higgins
John Higgins shows us how he puts together an image he had in his head of an old street scene ( in Yorkshire) to complement a project he had been working on. John says that its not his usual method of modeling, but just another take on how versatile Google SketchUp can be. He also uses Photoshop and V-Ray for SketchUp in this fascinating little project.
Daytime Rendering – SketchUp to Photoshop by Alex Hogrefe
Another superb quick and easy tutorial by Alex. This tutorial will create a daytime rendering by exporting images from SketchUp to Photoshop. This means no external rendering programs are needed. This rendering is not meant to be realistic, but instead, provide an option for quick artistic renderings without the ‘SketchUp’ look. Quick and simple!
Click on image to view tutorial
SketchUp to Photoshop – lighting by Alex Hogrefe
People have been asking me how I create my renderings. Since I am finished with grad school, I decided to develop some tutorials that explain techniques I used throughout architecture school. Many of the techniques only require SketchUp and Photoshop. This tutorial will explain a way to create a night scene with lights, using only SketchUp and Photoshop. This technique is quick if your under a time crunch.
Create a Tile Imprint – SketchUp, Photoshop, Pixplant and V-Ray by Nomer Adona
The idea behind this tutorial is to help you to achieve a tile imprint design from scratch. Modeled in SketchUp, the textures are prepared in Photoshop and Pixplant, and finally rendered in V-Ray for SketchUp. Learn new skills with this nice little tutorial by Nomeradona.
Texture Workflow with SketchUp, Photoshop & Podium by Nomer Adona
This short tutorial will show you the work-flow in texturing a scene using Podium, SketchUp 7 and Photoshop. The methodology has been discussed before, but I would love to share it again for those of you who may have missed it.
The Edith Green Wendell Wyatt Federal Building – a digital watercolor with Photoshop by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. He uses a digital process to produce imagery that ranges in technique from photo-realistic to simulated watercolor effects. In this detailed tutorial Scott shows us his work-flow in producing a digital watercolor using a SketchUp output image and Photoshop. A great tutorial and a must read!
SketchUp 2D Image Export with Alpha Mask by David Macdonald
This is the first of three tutorials concerning the exporting of SketchUp models to other applications as 2D graphics. They are progressive. You need to do them in order, as each will assume knowledge from the previous. This tutorial deals with the export process, particularly the creation of Alpha Masks for your model.
Click on image to view tutorial
USC Village – A step-by-step guide to making a “digital watercolor” architectural illustration using SketchUp and Photoshop by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. In this detailed tutorial Scott shows us his workflow in producing a digital watercolor using a SketchUp output image and Photoshop.
Use Image Editing Software Inside SketchUp by Nomer Adona
This simple little tutorial will show you how to edit a texture image right inside SketchUp with Photoshop or whichever image editing software you use.
Add a Rotoscope Effect to Your Image by Rocky Vezeau
A quick and simple method in achieving a Rotoscope effect for a rendered image by Rocky Vezeau, aka ‘xrok1’. A regular contributor on the SketchUcation, Twilight and Podium forums to mention a few and now here at SketchUpArtists. ‘Rotoscoping’ is the term used when artists paint or trace over live-action film, frame-by-frame, to create an animation and it is being used in everything from television commercials to Hollywood movies.
A Watercolor and Line Drawing Ink Effect by Nomer Adona
This tutorial is not about rendering but how to compose a watercolor and ink effect using a few simple steps. I am using a rendered image in order to add depth, particularly on some main areas. I use a couple of styles and V-Ray for a render image in some of the steps.
Pencil Overlay by Sid Porobic
This tutorial has stemmed out of the need to produce attractive “hand made” images which are to be used when discussing architectural projects with clients and planning authorities alike.
V-Ray Image Post-Processing in Photoshop by Teofilo Pardo
This tutorial has been designed for those people who are not using Photoshop as much as they should in their post-processing workflow or not using it on a regular basis. It incorporates lots of hints and tips and shows what can be done in the post-processing of a V-Ray output image of a SketchUp model.
Create a Fake Render in Photoshop by Majid Yeganegi
This tutorial is going to show you how to ‘fake’ a render using Photoshop. It is very simple and straight forward and I hope you find it very useful as it could be one quick option in your work process…
Photomontage Tutorial by Teofilo Pardo
This tutorial is going to show you how to blend a render into a real photo. This is my post-processing method.
SketchUp and Photoshop based tutorials (sometimes additional software depending on tutorial). Learn how to perfect your modeling with new post-processing skills, techniques and easy to follow step by step instructions provided by highly talented professional contributors.
Making of Townhouse – a digital watercolor by Benedict Martin Caliwara
This NPR technique is suitable for quick conceptual design presentation, producing such remarkable similarity to traditional watercolor paintings.
Photoshop Breakdown: modern office building by David Drazil
David Drazil is an architecture student from the Czech Republic, currently finishing his studies in Denmark. The final image was originally an entry for the 3D challenge held by SketchUp Texture Club. The goal was to create the best possible visualization depicting the building, designed and modeled in SketchUp by Quốc Hữu Trần. The SketchUp model was the only thing provided for the competition. David says ” I was attracted by the theme and its freedom”. In this great tutorial David guides you through his detailed workflow.
Architectural Elevation: digital watercolor effect for presentations by Benedict Martin Caliwara
Learn how to apply a digital watercolor effect to an architectural elevation. All building elevations and construction details are directly exported from SketchUp. Rendering and layering procedure is done using Adobe Photoshop. You will need a basic knowledge of Trimble SketchUp and some photo editing skills for this tutorial.
Click on image to view tutorial
How to Populate Your Render – seamlessly by Simon Oudiette
In this in-depth tutorial, Simon goes over the steps that he takes when adding people to an interior render. With these tips, its sure to make a huge impact on your work.
Digital Watercolor Painted in Photoshop by Thanet Chanasakul
In this tutorial, I will be showing how to edit render output images, giving it a feeling and effect of watercolors through the use of Photoshop. You will need some knowledge of SketchUp and rendering, including post processing in a photo editor.
Click on image to view tutorial
Making Of: “campus aerial” illustration by Kirk Fromm
This short tutorial shows the steps taken to create an aerial rendering of a school campus partially from a photograph.
Making of Carillon: a digital watercolor tutorial by Benedict Martin Caliwara
In this tutorial, we will explore the different techniques of applying watercolor effects in digital rendering using a different combination of various software.
Click on image to view tutorial
Making of “Fellowship” rendering by Kirk Fromm
Kirk Fromm is a internationally recognized architectural illustrator and leading provider of NPR (non photo-realistic) renderings, using a combination of both traditional and digital techniques in his workflow. This project was commissioned to show the impact of a theatre addition on an existing senior residential facility.
Making of Silver Mountain Condominiums by Les Chylinski
Les Chylinski combines traditional and digital rendering techniques to produce refined architectural renderings for his clients. In this step by step progression, Les has documented his workflow of a winter scene using Adobe Photoshop over a SketchUp output image.
Click on image to view tutorial
The Making of Viking Pavilion – interior daytime by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering high-quality illustration services to architects, designers and developers for fifteen years. He uses a digital process to produce imagery that ranges in technique from photo-realistic to simulated watercolor effects. This flexibility allows the client to choose a rendering style that best suits the character and mood of the subject matter and resonates most deeply with the intended audience.
This series of renderings for the Viking Pavilion project (eight in all) were created for a presentation to potential donors, and especially alumni of Portland State University (PSU).
Making of Boathouse illustration by Kirk Fromm
Kirk Fromm, internationally recognized architectural illustrator and a leading provider of NPR (non photo-realistic) renderings, uses a combination of both traditional and digital techniques in his workflow. In this “Making of”, Kirk creates a hybrid that takes advantage of both methods, thus fast and flexible as well as loose and engaging.
Click on image to view tutorial
Quick Concept Sketching using SketchUp and Photoshop by Jeremy Kay
Exploring further workflows in Architectural Visualization, SketchUpArtists would like to present a NPR (Non-Photorealistic) rendering approach kindly contributed to us by Jeremy Kay. No rendering software was used in this tutorial, only basic SketchUp output, with all final work carried out in Photoshop.
The Glass House – a Photoshop Tutorialby Brent Adrian Balasbas
Realistic Sketchup Rendering
Based in the Philippines and studying Architecture, Brent Balasbas has kindly shared his latest tutorial on his Photoshop techniques with us. A V-Ray rendered output image of a SketchUp model (original subject, Glass House by Philip Johnson) was used in this particular tutorial.
Click on image to view tutorial
Art of SketchUp: Texture Workflow by Ken Nguyen
San Francisco based Professional designer and conceptual artist, Ken Nguyen has produced some really exciting textured SketchUp models and shows us here his workflow that he uses for these great 3D models.
The Making of Block 15 Terrace by Scott Baumberger
This image was created by Scott Baumberger as part of a competition entry for a proposed residential tower in Portland, Oregon. Being a competition, Scott wanted to provide only enough information to communicate the intended design without getting bogged down with to much detail. Scott takes us through the technique behind his workflow.
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Quick Architectural Marker Illustrations by Christopher Polanski
Architect Christopher Polanski recently completed a project for a client that required him to compose a series of faux-marker renderings and Chris has agreed to share his process with us here.
From SketchUp to Digital Watercolor by Nguyễn Ngọc Phúc
In this latest tutorial from Nguyễn Ngọc Phúc he lets us in on his method in creating a cool digital watercolor image from his SketchUp model. His workflow includes FotoSketcher, a free program which has the ability to convert your digital images into art automatically using fully adjustable filters…its fun to use too. He finally finishes off his tutorial with a little post processing in Photoshop to complete this superb digital work of art. Get reading!
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Watercolor Style Tutorial by AJ Cabalhao Aloro
This model was drawn in SketchUp and rendered in V-Ray for SketchUp. What I am trying to achieve in this tutorial is a nice simple watercolor effect using my image editor, in this case Photoshop.
The Making of 412 Broadway by Scott Baumberger
More super work from Scott Baumberger. Scott has certainly excelled himself this time with this wonderful architectural visualization workflow using SketchUp, a two minute render and Photoshop. Lots to see and learn in this highly detailed article and hopefully you will come away with new ideas, tips and techniques for your own daily workflow.
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Making of Aquarium of Canada by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. In this step by step guide Scott shows us his work-flow in producing a digital watercolor. Software used includes SketchUp, Shaderlight and Photoshop.
Watercolor Style – SketchUp, Fotosketcher and Photoshop by Jonathan Ignas
Architectural 2D to 3D visualizer and graphic artist Jonathan Ignas shows us his technique on how to create a digital watercolor using SketchUp, Fotosketcher and Photoshop. Basic skills in SketchUp and Photoshop are necessary to successfully complete this tutorial.
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SketchUp to Photoshop – no render engine required by Alex Hogrefe
As the title implies, this architecture illustration tutorial doesn’t use a rendering engine. Alex has done a few other tutorials in the past that don’t involve rendering programs, however this tutorial does things a little differently, and in less time.
Soft Colored Pencil Line Technique byJason Christiansen
Jason has his own unique style and here in this tutorial he shares some of his knowledge and workflow with this NPR style and technique that will produce some really professional looking final images for presentation.
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Exterior Night Rendering: SketchUp to Photoshop by Alex Hogrefe
This tutorial will create an artistic night rendering by exporting images from SketchUp to Photoshop. As in some of my previous tutorials no external rendering programs are needed… saving a lot of time!
Exporting Masks from SketchUp Models for Use in Photoshop by Lewis Wansworth
It’s somewhat peculiar to begin a tutorial for SketchUp with a prolonged discussion of a certain concept in image editing called masking. But without this clarification you might not quite understand why I set up my SketchUp models in a such a very specific manner. Read more on my unique technique to help you in your daily workflow.
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The Making of Down the Lane by John Higgins
John Higgins shows us how he puts together an image he had in his head of an old street scene ( in Yorkshire) to complement a project he had been working on. John says that its not his usual method of modeling, but just another take on how versatile Google SketchUp can be. He also uses Photoshop and V-Ray for SketchUp in this fascinating little project.
How To Render Sketchup Models Free
Daytime Rendering – SketchUp to Photoshop by Alex Hogrefe
Another superb quick and easy tutorial by Alex. This tutorial will create a daytime rendering by exporting images from SketchUp to Photoshop. This means no external rendering programs are needed. This rendering is not meant to be realistic, but instead, provide an option for quick artistic renderings without the ‘SketchUp’ look. Quick and simple!
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SketchUp to Photoshop – lighting by Alex Hogrefe
People have been asking me how I create my renderings. Since I am finished with grad school, I decided to develop some tutorials that explain techniques I used throughout architecture school. Many of the techniques only require SketchUp and Photoshop. This tutorial will explain a way to create a night scene with lights, using only SketchUp and Photoshop. This technique is quick if your under a time crunch.
Create a Tile Imprint – SketchUp, Photoshop, Pixplant and V-Ray by Nomer Adona
The idea behind this tutorial is to help you to achieve a tile imprint design from scratch. Modeled in SketchUp, the textures are prepared in Photoshop and Pixplant, and finally rendered in V-Ray for SketchUp. Learn new skills with this nice little tutorial by Nomeradona.
Texture Workflow with SketchUp, Photoshop & Podium by Nomer Adona
This short tutorial will show you the work-flow in texturing a scene using Podium, SketchUp 7 and Photoshop. The methodology has been discussed before, but I would love to share it again for those of you who may have missed it.
The Edith Green Wendell Wyatt Federal Building – a digital watercolor with Photoshop by Scott Baumberger
Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. He uses a digital process to produce imagery that ranges in technique from photo-realistic to simulated watercolor effects. In this detailed tutorial Scott shows us his work-flow in producing a digital watercolor using a SketchUp output image and Photoshop. A great tutorial and a must read!
SketchUp 2D Image Export with Alpha Mask by David Macdonald
This is the first of three tutorials concerning the exporting of SketchUp models to other applications as 2D graphics. They are progressive. You need to do them in order, as each will assume knowledge from the previous. This tutorial deals with the export process, particularly the creation of Alpha Masks for your model.
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USC Village – A step-by-step guide to making a “digital watercolor” architectural illustration using SketchUp and Photoshop by Scott Baumberger
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Scott Baumberger has been offering a high quality professional service to architects, designers and developers for many years. In this detailed tutorial Scott shows us his workflow in producing a digital watercolor using a SketchUp output image and Photoshop.
Use Image Editing Software Inside SketchUp by Nomer Adona
This simple little tutorial will show you how to edit a texture image right inside SketchUp with Photoshop or whichever image editing software you use.
Add a Rotoscope Effect to Your Image by Rocky Vezeau
A quick and simple method in achieving a Rotoscope effect for a rendered image by Rocky Vezeau, aka ‘xrok1’. A regular contributor on the SketchUcation, Twilight and Podium forums to mention a few and now here at SketchUpArtists. ‘Rotoscoping’ is the term used when artists paint or trace over live-action film, frame-by-frame, to create an animation and it is being used in everything from television commercials to Hollywood movies.
A Watercolor and Line Drawing Ink Effect by Nomer Adona
This tutorial is not about rendering but how to compose a watercolor and ink effect using a few simple steps. I am using a rendered image in order to add depth, particularly on some main areas. I use a couple of styles and V-Ray for a render image in some of the steps.
Pencil Overlay by Sid Porobic
This tutorial has stemmed out of the need to produce attractive “hand made” images which are to be used when discussing architectural projects with clients and planning authorities alike.
V-Ray Image Post-Processing in Photoshop by Teofilo Pardo
This tutorial has been designed for those people who are not using Photoshop as much as they should in their post-processing workflow or not using it on a regular basis. It incorporates lots of hints and tips and shows what can be done in the post-processing of a V-Ray output image of a SketchUp model.
Create a Fake Render in Photoshop by Majid Yeganegi
This tutorial is going to show you how to ‘fake’ a render using Photoshop. It is very simple and straight forward and I hope you find it very useful as it could be one quick option in your work process…
Photomontage Tutorial by Teofilo Pardo
This tutorial is going to show you how to blend a render into a real photo. This is my post-processing method.