Highlights and Reflections make your image shine

Just as salt and pepper are basic seasonings in the kitchen, highlights and reflections are two of the most basic tools for professional-grade rendering. In this rendering how to we will share some helpful hints to enhance your SketchUp renderings using the IRender nXt highlights and reflection settings. It’s all in the details.

Highlights and Reflections add realism and transform simple SketchUp renderings into eye-catching images. Two important things to remember with Highlights and Reflections when rendering in 3D are: (1) you’ll need to have something to reflect off of; and (2) you’ll have to apply some reflection to the objects in your rendering. First, focus on lighting.

With the Dynamic lighting option, you can place your item in a setting, such as a forest with light filtering through the trees. This adjustment determines the scene’s ambient light. Once the lighting is set, it’s just a matter of adding reflection to the items in the picture and making adjustments, keeping in mind their color and surface material, i.e. plastic, metallic, etc.

Second, dial in the details.

Don’t stop with just the main focus objects though. Many users overlook the addition of reflection to all the various elements in the rendering. Remember things like table tops and accompanying room accessories. Spending time on these details can make the difference between a boring, flat image and an engaging, realistic one.

Get more rendering how to’s.

We covered this subject, (and more,) in our recent webinar, so if you’re interested, please view the Better Visualization Rendering webinar. Also, check our Common Rendering Questions for more details about working with Highlights and Reflections , and more helpful advice on how to render with SketchUp.

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