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SketchUp Rendering with D5 Render

Updated: Jun 20, 2022


Contents


Introduction

Architects and designers are responsible for creating spaces that can be livable and, in an ideal situation, dictate the way people live as well. 3D Visualization is an essential aspect of a designers' work, as it helps them envision what the final result will look like once designed in reality. Several rendering tools are available in the market; however, only some are complete and are a one-stop for everything from rendering to post-production, and D5 Render is an excellent example of one such software.


D5 Render aims to be a user-friendly rendering tool that is a must for all designers. Not only is it time-efficient and easy to use, but its workability with other modeling software makes it the ideal rendering tool. Consisting of pros such as having a straightforward interface, a vast asset library with a plethora of material choices, and plugins that can directly connect to other modeling software such as SketchUp and 3Ds Max, it should be known that D5 has it all!

Installing the plugin: D5 Converters

Plugins enable designers to use the D5 Rendering tools right on the modeling software without switching back and forth between the applications. The download and installation process is straightforward and readily available on their website. To install a plugin for any modeling software, visit the official website of D5 at www.d5render.com and scroll down to "Raytracing in Realtime," which gives a list of modeling software the plugin can work with. Some of the most common software are SketchUp, Revit, 3Ds Max, Archicad, Blender, Rhino and C4D. By clicking on the 'D5 Converters' option given on the website, and follow the installation instructions as stated.


Starting Synchronization

The current D5 Rendering plugin works on SketchUp versions from 2017 to 2022. After the installation is complete, the plugin will appear on the SketchUp Window in the form of a toolbar on the top of your screen. It allows architects to start their modeling on SketchUp while constantly connecting to D5 Render to observe real-time changes and additions to their models.

On the D5 toolbar in SketchUp, a 'play’ button starts the render. Upon clicking that, a notice box appears asking if a new project file on D5 should be created or a previous file needs to be created and edited according to the model. If the model is new, and the designer wishes to create a new project file, they need to click OK. If the users want to work on a project file that already exists, they can opt for the other option, the 'Select File' option. Next to the 'play button is the 'stop' button to pause or completely stop the syncing. It is ideal to work on D5 in sync with the Sketchup file as well, so all the changes are updated constantly. If the user has SketchUp 2021, it is ideal to convert the file using plugin rather than opening the file separately.


Sync models and materials

This takes them to the D5 screen, where the project is rendered in less than a minute. The realistic and sharp visuals of the render make it as close to reality as possible and assist designers in making decisions related to their project as well, based on 3D Visualization. The environmental settings and changes can be altered to closely match the original site as much as possible, making it easier for the users to envision what the project will look like in terms of its context and light quality, et cetera.

There is another option of Sync in the toolbar, which can be used to re-synchronize the model with D5 Render. Once the user is satisfied with the model source file, they can click the Sync option to make sure that the changes in that file have been synchronized with the D5 Project File.


Material Synchronization

Material synchronization of D5 is a straightforward and user-friendly option as well. D5 Render can easily read SketchUp model materials once synced together and create a render accordingly. However, suppose one chooses to make changes in the D5 Render. In that case, it is preferable that they modify it to their liking before saving it and then synchronizing it to ensure that their edits remain intact. The materials can be selected from D5 Asset Library, the cloud-based vast material gallery available on D5 itself, making the 3D look as close to reality as possible. Assets and materials like adding more life to the rendering and completing the project, and helping the vision come alive per the user's wish.


Light objects

Another addition that the users can enjoy is the artificial lighting options in the Rendering software as well. How many times has it been seen that an interior designer or an architect cannot visualize the kind of light that can be inserted in a room to bring out its best qualities at all times of the day? D5 Render solves this exact problem because by inserting artificial lighting in spaces, one can get an idea of the kind of space they want to create. Not only that but once the model is complete, it can be synced using the D5 plugin to alter the environmental settings.


Other than that, light settings can even be synchronized from the SketchUp file as well. D5 has different light source options too and it reads the already existing model to better understand what category they fit in such as point light, spotlight or rectangular light. The software offers different backgrounds and has settings that can bring the final result as close as possible to the user's wish. Any changes made in the model can be synced directly to D5, and the environmental settings will remain the same throughout.


Summary

D5 is an absolutely amazing rendering software, which has been frequently coming with new updates and extras to make life easy for designers. It takes the workload from the users and allows them to enjoy the true essence of designing. To obtain this plugin, it is necessary to download the latest version of D5, which can be downloaded easily from the official website. D5 has managed to capture the pith of the design processes and carved out software with added facilities to perfectly meet designers' needs. The end goal of this rendering software is to make the journey as enjoyable as possible without the added stress of spending a large sum of money and time to purchase and learn, working several days nonstop with the complex software to meet deadlines and using up all the storage with extremely heavy files. The SketchUp plugin is a testament to this. Users can experience a fast-paced system with minimum time delays and the best quality results by rendering the model in real-time with D5 Convert SketchUp and D5 Render.



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