4 Ways to Add Backgrounds to a SketchUp Model - The SketchUp Essentials #41

This video will walk you through 4 different ways to add background images to a SketchUp model!
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A lot of the time, when you’re working with a SketchUp model, you’re going to want to add some kind of background image. Usually when you do this, you’re trying to create some kind of geographical context, like adding an image of mountains, plains, sky, etc.
This video will teach you several different ways of adding a background image to your model.
The first is probably the simplest – just draw a face in the background and apply your background image to it. For example, if I have this house (house credit) on a ground plane, I can just draw a flat face in the background, add my texture, maybe do some resizing, and we’re good! I’d recommend putting this face on a layer so you can turn it on and off.
The plus side to this method is that it’s very easy. However, the downside is often that it’s limited to a few camera angles.
The next thing you can do is add a watermark to your image. Instead of adding actual geometry to your image, you can create a watermark in the styles section of your model using your background image. The positive to this is that it will always stay behind your model, even if you move your camera around. However, I’ve found especially for exterior models, it can be a bit difficult to get your scene set up so that everything looks natural. Plus, adjusting your image can be a little tricky as well.
The third way you can do this is to create a curving background behind your model. This has several benefits – the first is that it allows you to adjust your camera angle because it covers so much area. The second is that if you render your model, you should get some reflection of the sky in your glass, making it look more realistic. The downside to this on is that you have to use a projected texture, so it can be a bit tricky to get your image to line up the way you want it to.
The fourth way that I’m going to talk about is downloading a sky dome. A sky dome is basically a dome drawn in SketchUp with a sky material applied to it. The nice thing about a sky dome is it completely covers your model, meaning that there is no gap at the top – it’s like having a complete sky actually over your model. The downside to a sky dome is that it requires some UV mapping/advanced texturing to create (which we’re not going to get too deeply into right now). However, there are some sky domes you can download from the 3D warehouse to get your started.

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[brandonshaw]

this is great Justin, you are a pillar of the sketchup community

[bamabiker]

Another great informative how-to Sketchup video. Thank you Justin. I have made a few architectural models and I usually just render them with the default solid sky-blue background supplied in the stock styles in Sketchup. However, after watching your video, one can easily see that having a photo sky image with clouds can add a tremendous level of realism to the render. By the way, I've found that by turning shadows on and edges off with my models, Sketchup can make a very convincing architectural render - without costly rendering software. Of course, convincing trees and foliage requires a good renderer.

[raeawan]

Thank you so much! Wonderfully informative and easy to comprehend! Just started using SketchUp.

[transylvanianite]

thanks for providing clear and informative instructions for the Archectural software. Its a sophisticated software so its involves a lot of detail

[folabikuti]

As always, super helpful. Justin comes through every time.

[markvallarino]

Thanks. Another way to make the models look more realistic.

[danielpawlowicz]

Thanks for sharing these methods...!! Excellent explanation...

[barzmba]

Perfect Tutorial. Thank you very much. Greetings from the UK.

[williammurphy]

The sky dome was an excellent and simple way to create a beautiful background. Bill

[jojofabricante]

Last method was very helpful, thanks!

[kamalsolanki]

Sir you are such a genius man no one can give ideas of this type super super

[szabolcselek]

Thank you for this tutorial video about how to make a sky. It is so useful for beginners. Good description step by step. This is the one of the best tutorial video and easy to understand everything. Exactly what I need. Thank you!

[sujithv]

Bro..you are the one teaching in very easy way. Thank you.

[jennyrejaba]

you saved my quivering self with this. Thank you so much!

[noellsakatani]

Wow ~! Thank you so much for this ! Subscribed !

[margheritaclerici]

Hi! Thank you for the video. Can I use the Sky Dome and the Watermark with a picture of a city?

[flipside]

Can we use it while rendering in v ray

[vicarioustube]

Hi. I followed your instruction but when I want to pull up the cylinder third option, it always leaves my building outline all pulled up with lines even it is standing on rectangular landscaped ground like your home. Must I make the entire building and land a group? My building is 30 storeys tall. Thanks

[marlonsunga]

thanks you so much for these options and when to use them ideally, I had an idea to create a cylinder as sky background before but encountered the tiling of the image, your video tutorial solves it.

[rivaldiangga]

This tutoial helped me a lot.
thankyou very much