Eye Watering Renderings with IRender SU for SketchUp

For this case study we talked with Hector Gandia, an Engineering Project Manager for the City of Pompano Beach, Florida. Hector uses our IRender SU SketchUp rendering extension.

The view from Hector’s office? Pompano Beach

Hello Hector! Tell us a little about your department and you.
Our department is Engineering and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). We handle most of the City’s underground and vertical projects, either from ground up to renovations to maintenance. I am a project manager within the Department and handle these types of projects. My background is in Architecture, with a Bachelors in Architecture.

When did you start using SketchUp?
I started using SketchUp approximately 12-15 years ago when working for an architectural firm.

Why did you choose IRender SU?
Our Department needed a cost-effective rendering program that could easily be integrated with SketchUp and provide a high-quality image. This program meets all these requirements and is very user-friendly.

What do you like about IRender SU? The ease of using the program, and the quality of output it provides for our renderings.

Are there any features in the software that you find especially useful? Honestly, all of them. I especially like the lighting component. It adds an extra depth to the renderings.

What elements do you pay most attention to when rendering? The background is one that I pay attention to the most. Having a realistic background helps add realism to our projects. Also, the sun shadows. If placed correctly, they really make the rendering pop and give it a real added depth.

Please give us some background on a recent project you’ve done for which you’ve produced renderings using IRender SU.
Our Department was tasked with a project where we had to implement a design at one of our inlets for an underwater module study. The project consisted of “concrete sea hives” to be placed along a seawall, for schools and universities to monitor sea life growth in an area where sea life once thrived but no longer is existent.

I generated renderings to convey how these modules were placed and how they would appear on site. The renderings provided great feedback and assisted us in giving a true sense of identity to the project. The rendering program was exceptional in providing us the right textures to materials given the underwater challenge we had.

Did you receive any feedback on the renderings? 
Yes, in most instances people were able to see the design intent in a semi-realistic image.

…and tell us anything else you think might be of interest. I appreciate the ease of using this program, and while I have not mastered all of its potential, it has given our renderings another dimension that provides great textures, shadows, and lighting to an otherwise stagnant rendering. Thank you for also being responsive to any troubleshooting items I’ve had in the past.

Thank you, Hector!

Visit the Pompano Beach Engineering Dept website
For more information on IRender SU for SketchUp
Download a 30-day free trial
Order IRender SU:

Would you like us to profile one of your projects?

Whether you’re a rendering novice or a master, it’s always interesting to see what you’re rendering with any of our renderers (IRender nXt, IRender SU, ArielVision, nXtRender, AccuRender)! Email Render Plus Support Email and we’ll contact you.