I had been using Google Sketchup for a few months, and I was ok with the export screen shots that Sketchup created.

Sketchup has a specific, cartoonish, drawn look. I was looking for a bit more realistic output, and I’d seen some renders of Sketchup models, and was impressed with the examples. However, I didn’t want to have to purchase a plugin for a few hundred dollars, as this is just a hobby for now. So I did some research into free plugins and stumbled upon Kerkythea immediately.

The download and installation was easy. Kerkythea has a set of about 20 lights which can be added into Sketchup, everything from desklamps to spotlights. Kerkythea adds export buttons right into Sketchup, so exporting is extremely easy. Below you will see my first attempt at rendering in Kerkythea. I have not even attempted to change any settings, this is straight out of the box with a spot light and the sun for light sources.

Sketchup:

Kerkythea:

With these promising results I plan on continuing to use Sketchup and Kerkythea to create realistic export images.