Set the Layer Blend mode to “Hard Light”.ġ3. Open the Sketchup exported image that showed both the line work and shadows. The next step is sort of the “secret sauce” of the tutorial. To do this, select the two blurred layers and set the layer blend mode to “Multiply”.ġ2. I want the original line work layer to show through the two, now blurred, layers just created. However, use a higher radius such as 35 this time.ġ1. This duplicated layer will be blurred again using the Gaussian Blur Filter. Next, duplicate the layer just created and move the new layer to the top.

Move the left black triangular slider to the right until the line work darkens to almost black.īelow, is what the image should look like at this stage:ġ0. For levels, go to “IMAGE>ADJUSTMENTS>LEVELS”. I prefer to use levels although you can probably get away with adjusting the contrast. With the lines now blurred, we need to darken them. This number may need to change depending on the resolution of your image.ĩ. When the dialogue box appears, choose a radius of about 6.5. At the top, select “FILTER>BLUR>GAUSSIAN BLUR”.Ĩ. Right click on the background layer (Click in the space next to name of the layer) and choose “Duplicate Layer”.ħ. Begin by opening the first image (Sketchup export with only line work, no shadows) in Photoshop. With the 3 images complete, it’s time to combine them in Photoshop. Now, switch the face style from “Hidden Line” to “Shaded with Texture.” Again, export the image as a JPEG.Ħ. With the Face Style still set to “HIDDEN LINE”, turn ON shadows and again export the image as a JPEG.ĥ. Go to FILE>EXPORT>2D GRAPHIC and save the image as a JPEG.Ĥ. Under VIEW>EDGE STYLE, check “DISPLAY EDGES.” Make sure shadows are off.ģ. In Sketchup, save a view/scene that you want to use for the illustration that way you can get back to the same view later if need be.Ģ. Because of this, the process is extremely streamlined and can be done in minutes.ġ. I realized after making the ambient occlusion tutorial that I could take advantage of the export options of Sketchup, and use the line work of the model to generate the shading.

You will probably notice some similarities to the Ambient Occlusion tutorial I posted a while back. I have done a few other tutorials in the past that don’t involve a rendering program, however this tutorial does things a little differently, and in less time.

As the title implies, this architecture illustration tutorial doesn’t use a rendering engine.

Sketchup rendering photoshop