So you’re working on a project in SketchUp and you want to change the sun location? No worries! In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Step 1: Opening the Shadows Window
To change the sun location, you need to access the Shadows window. To do this, go to the “Window” menu at the top of SketchUp and select “Shadows”.
Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “O” to open it. Once opened, you should see a new window appearing on your screen.
Step 2: Adjusting Date and Time
In the Shadows window, you’ll find various options to control the sun location. The first thing you need to do is adjust the date and time.
By default, SketchUp uses your computer’s current date and time settings. However, if you want to simulate a specific time of day or year, uncheck the “Use sun for shading” box and manually enter your desired date and time.
Note: If you want to see real-time changes based on your current location, make sure your computer’s location services are enabled.
Step 3: Setting Sun Direction
Now that you have set the date and time, it’s time to set the sun direction. In SketchUp, changing the sun direction is as simple as dragging your mouse across a compass-like dial. You’ll find this dial in the Shadows window under the “Time” section.
Pro Tip: Hold down Shift while dragging to snap to cardinal directions (north, south, east, west).
Step 4: Adjusting Shadow Settings
If you want more control over how shadows are displayed in your model, SketchUp offers several shadow settings. These settings can be found in the Shadows window under the “Display” section. Here are a few options you might find useful:
- Darkness: Controls the intensity of the shadows. Drag the slider to adjust the darkness level.
- Time Animation: Enables an animation that shows how shadows change over time. This can be helpful for visualizing how sunlight interacts with your model throughout the day.
- Date and Time Slider: Allows you to scrub through different times of day to see how shadows change in real-time.
Step 5: Applying Changes
Once you are satisfied with your sun location and shadow settings, click the “Close” button at the bottom of the Shadows window to apply your changes. You should now see the updated sun position and shadows in your SketchUp model.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we’ve explored how to change the sun location in SketchUp using the Shadows window. By adjusting date, time, sun direction, and shadow settings, you can create realistic lighting scenarios for your projects. Remember to experiment with different settings to achieve your desired effects.
Now it’s time for you to try it out yourself!