How Do I Enable Ambient Occlusion in VRAY Sketchup?

by

So you want to know how to enable Ambient Occlusion in VRAY Sketchup? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Ambient Occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to your 3D models by simulating the way light interacts with different surfaces. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the steps to enable Ambient Occlusion in VRAY Sketchup.

Step 1: Installing VRAY Plugin

Before we get started, make sure you have VRAY plugin installed in your Sketchup software. If you haven’t done it yet, follow these simple steps:

  1. Download VRAY Plugin: Go to the official Chaos Group website and download the appropriate version of VRAY for Sketchup. Make sure it matches your Sketchup version.
  2. Install VRAY Plugin: Once downloaded, double-click on the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install VRAY plugin on your computer.

Step 2: Enabling Ambient Occlusion in VRAY Settings

Now that you have VRAY plugin installed, let’s proceed with enabling Ambient Occlusion:

  1. Open VRAY Settings: Launch Sketchup and navigate to the ‘Extensions’ menu. From there, select ‘VRAY’ and click on ‘Options.

    ‘

  2. Navigate to Environment Tab: In the ‘VRAY Options’ window, click on the ‘Environment’ tab located on the left-hand side.
  3. Enable Ambient Occlusion: Under the ‘Environment’ tab, check the box next to ‘Ambient Occlusion.’ This will activate Ambient Occlusion for your rendering.

Step 3: Adjusting Ambient Occlusion Settings

Now that you’ve enabled Ambient Occlusion, it’s time to fine-tune the settings to achieve the desired effect:

  1. Adjust Radius: The ‘Radius’ parameter controls the distance at which Ambient Occlusion is applied. Increase the value if you want a broader effect or decrease it for a more localized effect.
  2. Tweak Intensity: The ‘Intensity’ parameter determines how strong the Ambient Occlusion effect appears.

    Increase the value for a more pronounced effect or decrease it for a subtle result.

  3. Play with Other Settings: VRAY offers various other settings like ‘Subdivs,’ ‘Hemisphere,’ and ‘Color Bleeding.’ Experiment with these settings to achieve your desired look and feel.

Step 4: Rendering with Ambient Occlusion

Now that you have configured all the necessary settings, it’s time to render your model with Ambient Occlusion enabled. Simply hit the render button in VRAY and let it do its magic!

Note: Keep in mind that enabling Ambient Occlusion may increase render times as it adds complexity to the lighting calculations. So, be patient while rendering your model, especially if it’s a complex one.

In Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to enable Ambient Occlusion in VRAY Sketchup.

By incorporating this rendering technique into your workflow, you can add depth and realism to your 3D models. Remember to experiment with different settings and have fun exploring the possibilities of VRAY Sketchup!

If you found this tutorial helpful, make sure to check out our other articles on VRAY Sketchup for more tips and tricks. Happy rendering!