How Do I Change My Sky to VRAY in SketchUp?

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Are you tired of the default sky settings in SketchUp? Do you want to add a touch of realism to your renders by using VRAY? In this tutorial, we will guide you step-by-step on how to change your sky to VRAY in SketchUp.

Step 1: Install VRAY Plugin

Before we can change the sky to VRAY, we need to make sure that the VRAY plugin is installed in SketchUp. If you haven’t installed it yet, follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to the Extension Warehouse: Open SketchUp and navigate to Window > Extension Warehouse.
  2. Search for VRAY: In the Extension Warehouse, search for “VRAY” in the search bar.
  3. Select and Install: From the search results, select the VRAY plugin and click on “Install”.
  4. Restart SketchUp: Once the installation is complete, restart SketchUp for the changes to take effect.

Step 2: Set Up VRAY Environment

To change your sky to VRAY, we need to set up the VRAY environment in SketchUp. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Navigate to VRAY Settings: In SketchUp, go to Extensions > V-Ray > V-Ray Render Options.
  2. Select Environment: In the V-Ray Render Options dialog box, select “Environment” from the left-hand menu.
  3. Enable GI (Global Illumination): Check the box next to “On” under Global Illumination (GI) to enable it.
  4. Choose Sky Type: Under Sky, select “VRaySky” from the dropdown menu.
  5. Adjust Parameters: You can adjust the parameters of the VRaySky to customize the appearance of your sky. Experiment with settings like Horizon Height, Turbidity, and Ground Albedo to achieve your desired result.
  6. Apply Changes: Once you are satisfied with your settings, click on “OK” to apply the changes.

Step 3: Render Your Scene

Now that you have changed your sky to VRAY, it’s time to render your scene and see the results. Follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to VRAY Settings: In SketchUp, go to Extensions > V-Ray > V-Ray Render Options.
  2. Select Output: In the V-Ray Render Options dialog box, select “Output” from the left-hand menu.
  3. Choose Output Location: Specify the location where you want to save your rendered image by clicking on the browse button next to “File”.
  4. Select Render Preset: Choose a render preset that suits your needs from the dropdown menu under “Presets”.
  5. Tweak Additional Settings: If needed, you can tweak additional settings such as resolution and quality.
  6. Start Rendering: Click on the “Render” button to start rendering your scene with the new VRAY sky.

Congratulations! You have successfully changed your sky to VRAY in SketchUp. Enjoy exploring different settings and creating realistic renders for your projects.

Remember to experiment with the VRaySky parameters to achieve the desired effect. Play around with the Horizon Height, Turbidity, and Ground Albedo to create different atmospheric conditions in your scenes.

Keep practicing and honing your skills in SketchUp and VRAY, and soon you’ll be able to create stunning visualizations that will impress your clients and colleagues.