How Sketchy can a Sketchup Rendering be?

Published on 11 Jan 2007 at 2:18 pm. 4 Comments.

Sketchup is one of the few 3D architectural illustration software that manage to bring a bit of the human feeling to the otherwise cold and impersonal computer model. What makes Google Sketchup different is the ability to use different line weights in the model, including line extensions, thickened like weights and the so called “jitter” lines. However, Sketchup still not able to apply selective line types. This is where a “human” with Photoshop abilities came into play and adjust this lines to look better.


The above is the finished image, where Photoshop was used to overimpose several layers of building information over an existing site photo. Below are some of the layers, shown one at a time, after lines have been manually processed in Photoshop. I know this scale is barely enough to see anything - this is what my blog parameters allow me to publish:

4 Comments to ‘How Sketchy can a Sketchup Rendering be?’:

1. Susan Hillard on 11 Jan 2007 at 4:49 pm: 1

   Good composition, interesting final output, Dan. Think about our proposal.

2. jon on 15 Jan 2007 at 6:08 am: 2

   Sketchup does have a “finished” look when this is intended. the site photo helps a lot.

3. Ulysses Nolan Paredes on 15 Feb 2007 at 3:19 am: 3

   Glad to see that lots of people are working into a ‘Sketchy’ rendering from time to time. Good work!

4. Marc Fogg on 23 Apr 2007 at 11:58 am: 4

   Dan has done a fabulous job using Sketchup to develop my design of a Bernard Maybeck inspired residence. See http://www.PacificFogg.com for his great work on the Christmastree Hill House.

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