Jeff Mottle

You can now make TRUE photo-realistic rendering of your SketchUp model without the pain and frustration of learning a complex program. Podium runs completely inside SketchUp from start to finish.

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khu

i haven't had the chance to test it out yet... but--while this is an incredible move for technology and giving more power back to the general user--doesn't this seem like it will have a number of... influences on the CG industry?

My initial thoughts concerned: specialized people using the higher-end software and render programs. If a product like this takes off, will it have a negative impact on the industry? At the same time, I am curious about the defensible levels Sketch-Up can reach in terms of camera-matching for photosimulations...(?)

Maybe my thoughts have jumped the gun. Yes? But, will the potential success (of new and innovative techonology, which is "yay") also create a strain on the market and for individuals and firms to create a sustainable income...job...career...etc.?

curious and wondering.
-k

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ndundiz

I would suspect that this addition will be treated much like the introduction of ADT and its rendering engine. Though some use it because it is integrated, it will not be as popular as your higher end software. The end result will always be noticable.

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n'DundiZ

John Dollus

I don't think it will have any more of an effect than AccuRender did. AccuRender removed the need for pesky mapping coordinates, was tied directly to architectural CAD data, added procedural vegetation and incorporated radiosity with lighting libraries complete with IES files.

lambros

I just tested it, and it looks good, surely much better than the plain sketchup renders. On the other hand, it cannot withstand comparison with vray. Nonetheless, it is a quick way to get nice renders out of sketchup, and it surely would be handy for many many users. It seems that this product is based on the open source kerkyrthea rendering system developed by Greek programmer Ioannis Pantazopoylos (http://www.softlab.ntua.gr/~jpanta/Graphics/Kerkythea/), but it does not include all Kerkythea features (such as hdri, blurred reflections, physical sky, etc). Plugins allow Kerkythea to export to max, blender and sketchup.
Podium is easy to use and that will be its advantage: no exports, no new materials, light settings kept to minimal, so it is just click render and you are away. The technical minded should really check out Kerkythea...

fac311

i just downloaded it iworks pretty well for the simplicity of it. not bad not bad at all.

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