Rendering 3d model

[cookie1105]

hi,
I am currently trying to build a 3d model of a restaurant in Google sketchup. It's going well (for a novice user ), but once I've finished it, I'd really like to make it look as photo-realistic as possible. As sketchup doesn't support rendering, is there a way that I can export my model to another free/share/trial ware app for rendering? If so how would I go about this?

Any answers would be appreciated.

cheers

cookie

 

[bartelby]

I'm not sure what formats Sketchup will export to but Blender is a very good & powerful open source 3D program.

 

[erickkoch]

I think you have to pay $495 for the Sketchup Pro version, then you can export to 3DS, Obj, and other formats. Once you do that you can import and render to any 3D program. The standard free version won't support these formats, that's why I don't have much use for program.

 

[cookie1105]

that's a bugger. Oh well, I suppose I'll have to make do with it looking like a model. Thanks for your help anyway.

 

[cookie1105]

Update

Well I got to grips with sketchup. Not too bad once you get into it. I've inserted some grabs of my progress so far. The model is of a healthy take-away restaurant, that I am planning on opening up here in Copenhagen As this is very much still a work in progress, ideas & cc are very welcome.

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