Should You Replace Your Renderer with SketchUp 2025? (The Truth)

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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction
0:15 - How the New PBR Rendering Works
1:47 - Limitations of the engine
2:40 - Lighting in a path traced program
4:00 - Performance/file size issues
5:24 - So...is it good?
6:10 - My thoughts and a side by side comparison

[smuludgn]

Sketchup should rely on modeling more. Still no modeling improvements. You cant just leave it all to plugin developers. Also realistic lighting is against sketchups dna.

[ssumac]

I'm an architect that often make architectural diagrams in sketchup, and i need a renderer that can spice up my diagrams with a bit realistic lighting, without opening another window and waiting for lengthy rendering process. This is perfect for that. I'll use more complex rendering engine for final architectural rendering to get more realistic details.

[jonathanreevescad]

Great Video Justin. Yes the improvements are welcome, but the other real-time-rendering and animation software like Twinmotion and D5 Render are way, way ahead in every area so I would always choose them for anything realistic or animated!

[lucashorcrux]

How do you import a skp 2025 file to twinmotion? Is there already a version of datasmith for skp 2025?

[digitdewayanda]

i'm still use classics graphics engine at skp 2025 at max 16x multi samplings, rather than new graphics engine while use max multi sampling only 8x ..sorry to say..im using laptop for design and rendering ..other wise i still use 3rd party realtime render for my design..i will use new graphics engine at sketchup when the real time rendering engine same as 3rd party these day like enscape, d5 while very fast and light for my laptops..thanks 4 explanation..this will help for people still use laptops and midranger gpu.

[_Breakdown]

Justin -
Thanks for sharing this demo 😎👍🏼
Is there a free version of SU 2025?
(5:23 - - great for fast realistic previews)

[louisbenedict]

Hi Justin,
I like this new feature being in Sketchup, but it seems a bit late😅. There is room for improvement and I would like to see if the Sketchup team can one day add in proper HDRI functions that cast reflections, block light paths realistically, all that good stuff. I'm an architect intern and we already have this in Autodesk Revit, the "Realistic graphics option. So, great addition, I think they can make it better. Nice video Justin. Also, could you do a video about importing car animations from 3Ds Max to Lumion? Cheers👍

[usiski]

this come included in with sketchup 2025 already? or is it a free or paid extension?

[just-ramas]

Now, with support for PBR materials and, in the future, support from render engines for these SketchUp functions, will project files save the maps within the .skp files?

[joen]

The lack of interior lighting is a huge problem… disappointing.

[bardiapirouzy]

There are still many many deficiency in modeling for example a tool for Bevel and chamfer or a tool for vertices

[ashyum]

No I feel like enscape is still the better option if you need quick renders for a presentation, the live plugin is seamless and integrated and I don't understand why I would settle for less

[jabastinrenu]

First sketchup needs to resolve the "sketchup crashed " bug, then they can do these rendering things

[ahmedanwer]

I think they want to keep sketchup suitable for weak computer machines, if they add artificial lighting, that will need higher computer specifications

[mikebellmaps]

No ....As we know. No emitters/raytracing etc .. But tight production houses will say yes & submit cheaper renders (until AI gets better) - People like Lumion should be more worried about AI that than SKUP PBR internal renders

[mist]

I stopped using SketchUp and learned Rhino.

[avicohenk]

Im sure they are planning ray tracing as well. Considering the pace they are updating sketchup it should be ready by 2035 for aure 😂