Going to Google SketchUp 3D Basecamp

by Joe Larano Jr. Richmond BC Canada

Back in 2005, Google SketchUp held its first-ever SketchUp conference in Boulder, Colorado. Two years ago, about 300 SketchUp afficionados met at Google’s headquarters in California for 3D Basecamp 2008. This year, the event is  back in Colorado changing the seminar format a little bit. In the promotional statement of Google SketchUp organizer said “This time, the organizers are to welcome SketchUp experts – ninjas, gurus, fanatics, la crème de la crème – to join other SketchUp users .” The Basecamp is by invitation only.  The criteria for SketchUp users to be able to join the camp is the user’s level of mastery with SketchUp. Camp applicants are required to submit an image of their best SketchUp work for evaluation. Those SketchUp users whose works are within their criteria are invited to the camp. With a limited attendance to just about 200, the event must be a wrangling and a challenge to every SketchUp lovers wanting to attend the event.

The image of my entry to Google SketchUp3D Basecamp. The objects are modeled in SketchUp and rendered with Kerkythea rendering plug-in.

It is indeed an honor and a privilege to be invited in this very important gathering to learn and update my knowledge of SketchUp. This morning, reading an invitation email from no less than  SketchUp evangelist, Aidan Chopra, I was jumping in joy to receive the good news. In addition of  possible meeting those SketchUp masters I will be having a chance to confer personally those people who keep developing the SketchUp program and those whose names I just only see as authors in several SketchUp books. I have already confirmed my attendance and currently arranging my travel and hotel accommodation . I can’t wait to see and meet those SketchUp wizards and masters. See you in Boulder Colorado!

http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2010/07/announcing-sketchup-basecamp-2010.html

http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2010/07/submission-deadline-extended-3d.html

Office Interior

by Joe Larano – Richmond BC Canada

I was really impressed by the capabilities of the Kerkythea Rendering system when this image of the office reception was being processed for rendering. This software/plugin is the most user-friendly rendering system I have ever encountered. I have learned a lot and found out several “unknowns” which made my rendering session more exciting and educational. In my two weeks of using this software, I have to admit that it really add a different dimension in my rendering/modeling experience. Below are images of an office interior showing the object modeled in SketchUp and the next image shows the full render using Kerkythea rendering system.

Objects modeled in SketchUp.

Full render with Kerkythea Rendering system.

KERKYTHEA FULL RENDER

By Joe Larano- Richmond BC

I have to spend 2 Saturday nights and a couple of hours of my spare time after dinner to learn the basics and the important various features of the Kerkythea Rendering system. The integrated features such as model and Globals are so amazing that my difficulty of placing the right sky or clouds is now finally over. Using Globals has really ease up the placement and multiple copies of a tree or the placement of grass and other landscape elements. I could not give a good review of the software in this short blog statement. I have to admit that the software has really blow off my mind of its features and ease of use. Below are images fully modeled in SketchUp and rendered in Kerkythea Rendering system.

Proposed Vacation House in Tagaytay Philippines modeled in SketchUp and rendered in Kerkythea.

Same view but with the deletion of foreground grass entourage and the addition of sharper shadows and thicker foreground tree foliage.

SketchUp & Kerkythea

by Joe Larano

Of late, I have been spending my spare time studying and investigating the features and pluses of the rendering software called “Kerkythea”. I heard this software about four years ago but have not made an attempt to look deeper into its features. Two weeks ago, my buddy, a professional delineator and accomplished animator who is based in the US has advised me to try Kerkythea.

The Kerkythea Rendering system is a free software that work well with Google SketchUp. The software is a program that works with 3D files to render and create photo realistic textures and lighting. Though in order to work with Kerkythea and SketchUp you will need to download the SketchUp plugin from Kerkythea. This allows you to export your SketchUp drawing to a .xls format which is read by Kerkythea. 

Once you get the hang of the program it is pretty amazing. The rendering quality is top notch and the materials library are also very good. Though, you need to note that materials do not transfer well from SketchUp, for the most part you will have to replace the materials with those offered by Kerkythea. But the materials are substantially better than those of SketchUp and are very realistic. Take a look of my latest work modeled in SketchUp and rendered in Kerkythea.

In the above image, the SketchUp model was rendered by a plug in called V-Ray. With V-Ray for SketchUp, users now have one of the most powerful rendering tools available to visualize their models with the upmost quality and realism. V-Ray works within the SketchUp environment allowing users to be able to efficiently incorporate the task of rendering within their current workflows.

Above image was modeled in SketchUp , including the the use of SU’s components and materials. Sun and shadow’s information were taken and processed within SketchUp’s rendering engine. Notice that there’s no depth to the object as there is no gradation or tonal values even if there’s light or shadows casted on the objects.

Olympic Fever traces, no more!

by Joe Larano Jr.

My apology to all of you that I left you waiting for so long before this new post is published. I have two valid reasons for doing so and must admit that I have to defer writing  new posts in favor of spending my time on other important endeavors.

Firstly, the onset of January 2010 spells out the beginning of Winter Olympic fever. As we all know, Vancouver, being the host city of 2010 Olympic was transformed into a sport vibrant city awashed with all Olympic signs and paraphernalias visible in all nooks and corners of the city. Being a resident  of Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver and a venue city where the speed skating oval is located, I was really caught up in the middle of Olympic merry making and festivities. The hoopla and the bravado surrounding this great winter sport event were felt by all people, myself, not exempted. I guess the best way to do is defer my writing and let the Olympic fever soar high in the seventeen day event.

Another reason for justification relates to my career advancement. The middle of January 2010 was a busy day as I am preparing to sit down in my final stage of registration for my architect licence in BC. I was scheduled to sit down with the panel in February but the schedule was moved to March 2010 because of the Winter Olympic being held in February. The rescheduling of the Oral review to March gave me much extra time to study, review and interact with fellow reviewers and of course getting more advise and pointers from my mentor.  I passed the Oral Review and now a registered architect here in BC. With all the pressures and tight schedule starting to die down, I am obliged to go back online and start populating this this blog with interesting posts. Here’s the start:

Above, a skateboarder soars up in the Olympic rings during the Opening Ceremony at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver.

The  Richmond Oval, as seen from the northwest, fronting the Fraser River is the home of speed skating events. (Architect: Cannon Design) Image by Cannon Design