All right, here's my simple scene. If you render it more time fireflies might appear. I also updated the maps list for further tests. Also tonemapping is on camera so depending on the maps you will have to adjust the ev. Left sphere is default phong and the other is specular transparent. Check the i...

In this project, time is the only thing you cannot control, skills can only be improved so you decide how far you want to go.
I'm confused with the fotoreference: what do you want to start with? interior or exterior?

Nice one! Just tested your scene and looks pretty fast. Will try to reproduce something similar in sketchup, as I have no experience on editing xml files and start some tests.. Pibuz, I think yonosoy's scene or something similar is good enough to test those maps . I also think that sun should be par...

Good start and keep that motivation. The closer to the camera the better textures and models you need. I personally like when everything is high quality but you have to learn the 'exterior linked component' feature because sketchup doesn't handle large amount of polys. If you want interior shots I w...

Really enjoying this render thread! congrats and thanks for sharing.

Will make some tests! Thank you!

The ones from Tolas seem to work well, didn't try the others yet. Thank you. Don't know how the scene should be to make nice and fast tests. Interior or large space? (does it matter?) Big light sources with small ones? Is it necesary to put some reflective elements in the scene as yonosoy suggested?...

Hi, This is the way I use to work with wood textures: An easy example would be a pine plank texture and a natural/waxed finish looking. -First I place the diffuse map in sketchup. Verify scale of the model and scale of the wood (how long your board should be in relation of the texture). Then set the...

Yes good idea!
No problem, I'm a sketchup user too.
Running on 3.6.26 and sketchup 8

Good post Pibuz! I didn't find a way to make fine flares too. Will play with that too, so how's your test scene setup?
That's what we should achieve righ?
http://tolas.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/glare/

Yes, It was Violet

Hi Smukkehansen, by quality you mean realistic?
I also suggest you to dowload some materials of your interest :http://www.indigorenderer.com/materials/ and see how they work.

Nice!
I tried aperture d. and crashed Indigo (too much ram) so here's the here's the last autosaved render.

Would love to see that natural flower more closely (the top view)
I can render it if you want.

Some nice wood planks? Don't know the prices though.
http://www.cg-source.com/products_woodb ... woodboards

Very interesting post and awesome renders!
Cloudy scene in the canyons is 17 kib! Man, this is witchcraft.