Charlotte Lee, Author at Elmtec Sketchup

A Smarter SketchUp Workflow for Architects

Posted on November 21, 2025January 08, 2026 by Charlotte Lee

SketchUp is often seen as a “concept tool”, but in reality, it’s far more than that. When used properly, it becomes a fast, flexible platform for architectural design, coordination, and communication — especially in the early to mid stages of a project.

Here’s a streamlined SketchUp workflow designed specifically for architects who want to work efficiently without overcomplicating their models.

1. Set Up Your Model for Scale & Accuracy

Accuracy matters. Start every project with:

Correct units (mm or metres)
Snapping enabled
A clear origin point

Create a project-specific template that includes your preferred styles, tags, and scenes. This consistency saves time across multiple projects.

2. Model with Structure in Mind

Architectural SketchUp models should be clean, logical, and structured. Use:

Groups for walls, slabs, roofs
Components for repeating elements like windows, doors, and columns

This approach keeps the model lightweight and easy to edit — particularly when changes come in late (which they always do).

3. Leverage Tags & Scenes for Design Options

Tags aren’t just for visibility — they’re essential for managing complexity. Architects can use tags to:

Show structural vs non-structural elements
Separate existing and proposed works
Present design options within one model

Pair tags with Scenes to quickly communicate changes to clients, planners, or consultants.

4. Use Section Planes for Clear Communication

SketchUp’s Section Plane tool is incredibly powerful for architectural workflows. Use it to:

Instantly generate sections
Create cut-through perspectives
Check spatial relationships

Multiple section planes can be saved as scenes and sent directly to LayOut for technical drawings.

5. Context Modelling & Geo-Location

Understanding context is crucial in architecture. SketchUp’s Geo-location tools allow you to:

Import site data
Study orientation and shadows
Assess massing in context

This is particularly useful for planning submissions and early feasibility studies.

6. Interoperability with Other Software

SketchUp plays well with others. Architects often use it alongside:

Revit or Archicad (for detailed BIM)
AutoCAD (for 2D data)
Rendering tools like V-Ray

SketchUp acts as the perfect bridge between concept and detail.

Final Thought

For architects, SketchUp is about speed, clarity, and communication. Used properly, it enhances your workflow rather than replacing your core tools.

As a UK SketchUp reseller, Elmtec supports practices with licensing, training, and workflow advice — helping teams get the most out of SketchUp at every project stage.

Maximising Your SketchUp Workflow as an Interior Designer

Posted on November 07, 2025January 08, 2026 by Charlotte Lee

When you’re juggling client feedback, tight timelines, and multiple design options, your software needs to work with you — not slow you down. SketchUp is a favourite among interior designers for good reason: it’s fast, flexible, and visual. But are you getting the most out of it?

Here’s a practical SketchUp workflow that helps interior designers move from concept to client-ready visuals efficiently, while making full use of SketchUp’s built-in tools and extensions.

1. Start Smart with Templates & Tags

Before you even start modelling, take a moment to set up a custom template. Interior designers benefit hugely from pre-set:

Units (mm is usually best)
Scene styles
Default materials
Tag structures (walls, furniture, lighting, accessories, etc.)

Using Tags properly from the start makes it easier to toggle elements on and off, create clean scenes, and avoid the dreaded “sticky geometry” problem later.

💡 Top tip: Keep geometry untagged and apply tags to groups and components only.

2. Build with Groups & Components (Always!)

If you take one thing away from this blog, let it be this: group everything.

Walls, floors, cabinetry, lighting, furniture — all should be grouped or made into components. Components are especially powerful for items like:

Chairs
Light fittings
Joinery units

Edit one, update them all. Simple.

3. Use 3D Warehouse — But Be Selective

SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse is a goldmine for interior designers. From sofas and tables to sanitaryware and lighting, it can save hours of modelling time.

However, not all models are created equal. Look for:

Low polygon counts
Clean geometry
Real-world scale

Heavy models can slow down your file quickly — especially when you start adding textures and lighting.

4. Apply Materials Like a Pro

SketchUp’s Materials panel is ideal for testing finishes quickly. Create your own material library with:

Branded finishes
Supplier textures
Correctly scaled materials

Using Material Sampling (B) and Position Texture tools helps you fine-tune alignment on floors, tiles, and feature walls — something clients always notice.

5. Create Scenes for Client Presentations

Scenes are where SketchUp really shines for interior designers. Use them to:

Save camera views
Toggle tag visibility
Show different design options
Present lighting schemes or furniture layouts

Clients love being walked through a model visually, and scenes help keep everything clean and professional.

6. Add Depth with SketchUp Diffusion or Rendering

For early-stage visuals, SketchUp Diffusion (AI-powered visuals) can quickly turn your model into atmospheric imagery without needing a full render setup.

For more polished results, SketchUp works seamlessly with rendering tools like V-Ray, which Elmtec can support and supply.

Final Thought

SketchUp isn’t just a modelling tool — it’s a full design workflow for interior designers. With the right setup and a few best practices, it becomes a powerful way to design, communicate, and impress clients.

If you want help refining your SketchUp workflow, training your team, or exploring add-ons, Elmtec is here to help.

🚀 What’s New in SketchUp 2026.0: Collaboration, Performance, and Creative Control

Posted on October 08, 2025October 08, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

SketchUp 2026.0 has landed, and it’s packed with new tools, smarter workflows, and meaningful performance boosts designed to make your modeling experience faster, more collaborative, and more visually refined than ever.

Whether you’re designing with SketchUp for Desktop or producing documentation in LayOut, this release brings thoughtful improvements across the board. Here’s a closer look at what’s new.

💬 Collaboration Comes to SketchUp

SketchUp 2026.0 introduces real-time collaboration, a long-awaited feature that lets you share models privately or publicly and work together directly inside your project.

Share and Review Models Effortlessly

You can now share your SketchUp models via:

Private Invites – Send email invites to specific collaborators.
Public Links – Generate shareable links for broader access.

Viewers can navigate the model, take measurements, leave comments, and even see your updates in real-time, all from their web browser.

Access levels include:

Owner – Full access and control.
View Scenes – Can view scenes only.
Comment – Can leave comments and use camera tools.

Public (General Access) permissions can be set to:

No Access – Requests access manually.
View Scenes – Viewers can only see scenes.
View Model – Viewers can explore and measure your model.

Meet the Collaboration Bar

The new Collaboration Bar keeps teamwork tools right at your fingertips. From here, you can manage sharing, access permissions, and comments without leaving SketchUp.

You’ll find it in the default toolbar or via Window → Collaboration Bar.

Comment in 3D Space

The new Comment Tool lets you drop 3D comment markers directly in your model. Add notes, attach images or links, and even capture a specific camera position, perfect for design reviews.

Comments are scene-aware, meaning when someone clicks a comment marker, SketchUp jumps to the correct scene and camera view.

Real-Time Updates and Shared Views

Collaboration happens in real time. Everyone can see what tool others are using, track updates instantly, and sync their viewpoint with a single click. Click your avatar to bring everyone to your perspective, or click another’s to see what they’re viewing.

🎨 Visualization Gets Smarter and More Beautiful

Visual realism just got a boost with Ambient Occlusion improvements and more control over materials.

Ambient Occlusion Upgrades

You can now:

Adjust the Distance Multiplier for precise shading depth.
Customize AO colors using a color swatch.

Material Enhancements

Invert Roughness Maps for flexible texture control.
Choose Material Thumbnails to make browsing your library faster and more intuitive.

⚡ Performance and Efficiency Improvements

SketchUp 2026.0 runs smoother than ever. Behind the scenes, you’ll notice:

Optimized memory usage for large, complex models.
Faster loading and saving times.
Improved stability when handling big projects.

These refinements make SketchUp more reliable for professionals working at scale.

🧩 Live Components: More Intuitive than Ever

Live Components are getting a usability upgrade.

Scale and Paint Tools, Enhanced

The Scale Tool now includes interactive grips, allowing you to position and resize Live Components using inference.

You can now use the Paint Tool to apply materials beyond a component’s predefined options, giving you more creative flexibility.

SketchUp also added several quality-of-life tweaks to make painting Live Components smoother and faster.

🧠 Modeling Workflows and Interface Updates

SketchUp 2026.0 brings polish across everyday modeling tasks:

Smarter scaling and rotation workflows.
Improved scene management and inference behavior for greater precision.
Refined UI elements for smoother navigation and workspace customization.

🔑 Activation and Interoperability Improvements

You can now reset all activations and authorize your device without leaving SketchUp, simplifying license management.

For interoperability, SketchUp 2026.0 enhances DWG import and export fidelity, adding:

Hatch support
Preserved section planes
Streamlined IFC exports, merging IFC 2×3 and IFC 4 into one flexible format with expanded export options.

🧱 Scan Essentials: New Point Cloud Tools

If you use Scan Essentials, you’ll love these additions:

Texture Projection and Mesh Generation tools for faster point cloud modeling.
A new Scene Manager to better control point cloud visibility in both SketchUp and LayOut.
The ability to revert to original georeferenced coordinates when exporting.

✏️ LayOut 2026: Drafting Made Easier

LayOut gets a major interface refresh and brand-new drafting capabilities.

Fresh Look and Faster Performance

The Windows interface now mirrors SketchUp’s style, with updated icons, customizable toolbars, and improved tray and panel layouts.

New Drafting Tools

Four new tools make 2D drawing faster and more intuitive:

Trim
Extend
Fillet
Chamfer

Smarter Scrapbooks

LayOut’s default Scrapbooks now include expanded architectural categories such as:

2D Windows and Doors
Furniture
Kitchen and Bath
Plan-view People libraries

Better DWG Interoperability

LayOut 2026.0 improves how DWG files import and export, retaining SketchUp Tags and translating them into DWG layers automatically.

🧩 Final Thoughts

SketchUp 2026.0 isn’t just an update, it’s a big leap forward for collaboration, performance, and creative flexibility. From real-time teamwork to fine-grained visual controls and faster workflows, this release sets a new bar for what SketchUp can do.

Ready to explore all these updates yourself? Open SketchUp 2026.0 and start collaborating, creating, and modeling faster than ever.

How AI is Redefining Architectural Visualization, Spotlight on Chaos V-Ray & Enscape

Posted on September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from a buzzword to a disruptive force across many industries. In architectural and design visualization, AI is now playing a central role in streamlining workflows, enhancing realism, and enabling new creative possibilities. As the field evolves, software from Chaos, especially V-Ray and Enscape, is leading the charge, integrating AI-driven tools that change how we render, present, and iterate design.

In this post, we’ll explore:

The current state of AI in visualization and rendering
How Chaos is embedding AI into V-Ray and Enscape
Use cases & benefits for designers, architects, and visualization teams
Challenges and considerations when adopting AI in rendering
Outlook: where things are headed

Let’s dive in.

1. The AI wave in architectural visualization

1.1 From brute-force to intelligent rendering

Traditional rendering techniques (ray tracing, global illumination, path tracing) are computationally expensive. Designers often face hours, or even days, of rendering time for high-quality stills or animations. AI introduces a new paradigm, using learned models to assist, accelerate, or enhance the rendering process, reducing time while preserving (or even elevating) fidelity.

Recent discussions and surveys highlight the shift:

Chaos describes AI as a transformative force that “speeds up workflows and enhances creativity” in architectural visualization.
According to the State of Architectural Visualization 2025 survey, via Chaos, Enscape, Architizer, 55% of professionals are exploring or adopting AI-driven solutions in their workflows.
Tools that combine AI with real-time or near-real-time rendering workflows are emerging, for example AI-enhancement layers, prompt-driven tweaks, material refinement, noise reduction.

In short, AI is no longer “optional”, it’s becoming foundational.

1.2 Key AI techniques being applied

Below are some of the AI-based techniques now influencing rendering:

Technique	Role in visualization	Benefit
Denoising / noise removal	Use neural networks to clean up noisy renders faster	Shorter render times, fewer samples required
Super-resolution / upscaling	AI upscales lower-resolution renders to high resolution	Reduced resource use, sharper output
Material inference / enhancement	AI suggests or refines textures, draws from libraries	Faster material setup, more consistent realism
Style transfer / prompt-based edits	Modify lighting, mood, or composition via text or example style	Rapid iteration and creative exploration
Semantic segmentation / object recognition	AI recognizes scene elements (vegetation, furniture) and refines them	Context-aware enhancement (e.g. foliage, people)
AI-driven denoising + path reconstruction	Hybrid techniques that combine classic ray tracing with AI guides	High fidelity at lower computational cost

Together, these techniques form a new toolset layered on top of, or integrated into, classic rendering pipelines.

2. How Chaos is embedding AI in V-Ray and Enscape

Given its leading role in rendering technology, Chaos has been actively integrating AI features into its product lineup. Let’s look at how this manifests in V-Ray and Enscape.

2.1 Chaos + Enscape integration

First, it’s worth noting, in 2022, Enscape merged with Chaos, bringing both real-time and offline rendering technologies under one umbrella. This integration provides the foundation for cross-pollinating innovations, particularly AI capabilities.

Some AI-powered enhancements for Enscape include:

Chaos AI Enhancer: This feature applies AI-driven improvements, for example refining people, vegetation, or material details, on top of Enscape’s existing real-time render output.
Instant adjustments and iteration: Enscape users can now more rapidly tweak lighting, materials, or atmosphere with AI-assisted suggestions, enabling faster design feedback cycles.
Live-sync & feedback loops: Changes in the modeling environment (SketchUp, Revit, etc.) increasingly reflect instantly in the rendered view, with AI layers helping smooth transitions and visual consistency.

In effect, AI is being woven into Enscape’s real-time engine, making the rendering “smarter” rather than simply faster.

2.2 AI in V-Ray’s pipeline

V-Ray has long been celebrated for its high-fidelity renders and flexible control. The challenge with AI is to preserve that quality while adding efficiency and intelligent features.

Some AI-driven directions for V-Ray include:

Intelligent denoising / adaptive sampling: Using AI to decide where to allocate samples, or where to apply heavier denoising, helps reduce compute while maintaining photorealism.
Material & texture refinement: AI helps in boosting realism by refining textures or filling gaps in material maps.
Integration with Chaos cloud & compute infrastructure: Offloading heavy compute tasks, or AI-based preprocessing, to cloud resources enables local workstations to remain responsive.
Prompt-based adjustments / style layering: While not yet as mature as generative image tools, we are seeing early experimentation in letting users tweak scenes semantically, for example “more moody lighting” or “softer shadows”, and have V-Ray apply those changes intelligently.

By combining classic path tracing with AI-assist, V-Ray can become more efficient without sacrificing the quality control that advanced users expect.

3. Benefits for designers, architects & studios

What does this all mean in practice? How will integrating AI-enhanced rendering with Chaos products deliver tangible advantages?

3.1 Faster iterations, better client feedback

One of the biggest wins is speed. With real-time + AI layers:

You can show clients design variants on-the-fly, materials, lighting, mood
Design decisions happen earlier in the process
Less time is wasted waiting for “final” renders

This reduces friction in the design loop and can lead to happier clients, fewer change cycles, and more buy-in early.

3.2 Higher baseline quality

Even when you’re doing quick previews or lookdev, AI-enhanced rendering elevates the baseline fidelity. Finer detail, better anti-aliasing, more believable vegetation and people, all help make even draft visuals more compelling.

3.3 Empowering smaller teams, democratizing visualization

With AI helping automate certain tasks, for example material setup, lighting refinement, denoising, the barrier to entry for photorealistic visualization lowers. Smaller architectural offices or design practices can now produce high-quality visuals with fewer resources.

3.4 Cost & resource savings

Reducing rendering time also reduces compute costs. Especially when cloud-rendering is used, AI-driven efficiency means less waste, lower energy use, and more sustainable workflows.

3.5 Creative exploration & ideation

AI allows branching design experiments rapidly, for example try multiple styles, moods, material palettes, without rebuilding entire scenes. This encourages more visual exploration and experimentation.

4. Hybrid workflows, combining speed & quality

One of the most realistic and recommended approaches is a hybrid workflow, using Enscape for rapid real-time exploration and design-phase visualization, then switching to V-Ray, with AI enhancements, for final high-fidelity renders.

Here’s how a typical pipeline might work:

Concept & iteration: Use Enscape + AI enhancements for client walkthroughs, quick lighting, material tests.
Refinement & stylistic tuning: Use AI-driven tweaks and layering within Enscape to dial in mood, atmosphere, or camera compositions.
Final production renders: Export the scene to V-Ray, or use a dual-engine pipeline, and apply higher sample counts, advanced lighting, and AI-assistive passes.
Post & polish: Final post-processing, tone mapping, grading, compositing, is simplified because the render arrives cleaner thanks to AI denoising and refinement.

This hybrid approach balances speed and quality, letting you harness the strengths of each tool.

5. Challenges and pitfalls

AI is powerful, but it’s not a silver bullet. Here are some challenges to be aware of:

5.1 Overreliance & loss of artistic control

If AI is blindly trusted, it might make aesthetic decisions you didn’t want, for example over-smoothing, lighting shifts. It’s important to retain manual override and design judgement.

5.2 Consistency across scenes

When AI is altering textures or lighting per scene or view, maintaining consistency, especially in large multi-view projects, can be tricky.

5.3 Hardware & compute needs

Some AI-driven techniques require powerful GPUs or cloud infrastructure. Teams need to ensure their systems can support the extra load, VRAM, tensor cores, etc.

5.4 Black-box behavior & predictability

AI models can sometimes behave unpredictably, produce artifacts, or misinterpret prompts. Debugging or reproducing results may be harder than traditional rendering techniques.

5.5 Licensing, cost & integration

AI features may come as add-ons or premium tiers. Integrating them into software like Enscape or V-Ray may require additional licensing, subscriptions, or updates. Also, teams must manage version compatibility and updates carefully.

Conclusion

AI is no longer a nice-to-have in architectural visualization, it’s becoming a key enabler. By combining real-time engines like Enscape with high-fidelity tools like V-Ray, and layering in AI-driven enhancements, designers and studios can accelerate their workflows, improve output quality, and explore ideas more freely.

If you’re using SketchUp, Revit, or similar platforms, now is the time to begin experimenting with AI-enhanced rendering. At Elmtec, we’re excited to help you integrate Chaos tools into your pipeline and push your visualizations further.

Chaos Envision: Transforming Architectural Visualisation & Presentations

Posted on September 16, 2025September 30, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

In architectural visualisation, presentation is just as critical as design. With Chaos Envision, you can deliver immersive, cinematic presentations faster, more efficiently, and with greater visual impact.

If you’re aiming for real-time ray tracing, animation, high-fidelity visuals, and seamless integration with Enscape & V-Ray, Envision could be the key upgrade your pipeline needs. In this post, you’ll learn what makes Envision special, the benefits it offers, and how it can help you win more projects.

What Is Chaos Envision?

Chaos Envision is a real-time storytelling and presentation tool from Chaos that lets you import scenes from tools like Enscape, V-Ray and Corona, work with them interactively, add animation, manage crowds, build cinematic paths, and render both stills and animations — all using physically accurate ray tracing in real time.

Because it bridges early design phases and high-end marketing visuals, Envision allows you to produce compelling presentation materials without long render times or fidelity trade-offs.

Key Features & Capabilities

Here are some standout features of Envision (and why they matter):

Feature	What It Does	Why It Matters
Real-Time Ray Tracing	Lighting, shadows, reflections & global illumination render physically correct in interactive view	Enables instant feedback, quicker iteration, better client demos
Seamless Import / Export with Enscape, V-Ray, Corona	Maintains materials, lighting, geometry via formats like .vrscene	Minimises setup time and data loss when transitioning between tools
Advanced Animation Tools	Camera fly-throughs, phasing, crowd & vehicle animation, path triggers, variation sequences	Engaging visuals sell — animations make pitches more persuasive
Large Scene & Asset Handling	Scales to big projects with many polygons, linked files, non-destructive editing	No need to simplify or break up models just for performance
Atmospherics & Environmental Effects	Volumetrics, animated vegetation, dynamic lighting, skies, animated water	Adds immersive depth and realism to scenes
Presentation & Collaboration Tools	Batch rendering, panorama / 360° exports, full-screen presentation mode, variant management	Easier client delivery, more viewing options, smoother workflows

Benefits for Your Studio & Sales Strategy

Below is how Envision translates into real value:

Faster Iterations & Client Review
Because Envision renders interactively, you can adjust lighting, materials, camera paths, etc., and see results immediately. That means fewer long waits and more time for refinement.
Visually Strong Throughout the Project Lifecycle
Even in early design stages or internal reviews, your visuals can look polished. That builds confidence among clients from the start.
Smooth Integration & Less Wasted Effort
With compatibility between Enscape, V-Ray and Chaos formats, your scenes need minimal retouching. That reduces overhead and keeps focus on design, not conversion.
Stronger, More Persuasive Presentations
Cinematic camera paths, volumetric effects, animated crowds — these aren’t gimmicks; they help the client “feel” the design. That can give your proposals an edge.
Scalability for Larger Projects
Whether you’re designing interiors or masterplans, Envision handles complexity gracefully. You don’t have to strip away detail just to render faster.
Cost Efficiency
Less rendering time, fewer wasted cycles, and streamlined workflows mean you can do more with the same resources. Over time, that adds up.
Future & Ecosystem Ready
Because Envision works within the Chaos ecosystem (Enscape, V-Ray, Anima, Cosmos), it positions you well for future growth in your visualisation stack.

Conclusion

Chaos Envision is more than just another rendering tool — it’s a powerful, presentation-first engine that enables you to tell your design story interactively, cinematically, and with precision.

If your studio is already using Enscape or V-Ray, Envision is a natural next step. Explore its features, test it within your workflow, and start delivering more immersive, persuasive presentations today.

What’s New in V-Ray 2025 & How the Updates Will Transform Your Workflow

Posted on September 05, 2025September 30, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

V-Ray continues to evolve in 2025, introducing powerful new features that push the boundaries of quality, interactivity, and user experience. Whether you use V-Ray for SketchUp, 3ds Max, Revit, Maya, Rhino or other host platforms, the latest updates add tools that can reshape how you approach scene setup, rendering, iteration, and delivery.

In this post, we’ll break down the headline changes in V-Ray 2025, analyse how they impact everyday workflows, and suggest tips for adapting effectively.

Key 2025 Updates in V-Ray

Feature	What It Does	Workflow & Quality Impact
AI Material Generator (Beta)	Upload a reference photo; generate PBR material (albedo, roughness, normal maps) via AI	Speeds up material creation, especially for real-world surfaces. Reduces time spent sourcing or authoring textures manually.
Chaos AI Enhancer	Post-render enhancement: automatically identifies people, vegetation, and focal areas to boost detail	Enhances renders with subtle improvements without extra manual passes.
3D Gaussian Splatting & Clipping	Support for rendering Gaussian splats (point-cloud / volumetric style) with ability to clip volumes, and GPU support	Lets you integrate scanned or volumetric data more naturally, with control over trimming and mixing with geometry.
Procedural Night Sky System	New night sky option in VRaySun includes stars, moon, Milky Way; can tie to real time/date/location or customizable	Makes nighttime / dusk visuals more realistic and easier to set up, without requiring custom HDRs or sky maps.
OpenPBR / Open Standards Support	V-Ray Mtl supports OpenPBR shading mode; integration with standard material workflows and cross-app consistency	Improves compatibility, easier material sharing between tools, reduces duplication of work.
GPU Improvements & Caustics on GPU	GPU engine now supports caustics, dispersion; better memory usage, faster “time to first pixel”	Enables more interactive previews and higher-fidelity GPU rendering, narrowing the gap between CPU and GPU output.
VFB & Post-Processing Enhancements	Custom-shaped render regions, Vignette layer, expanded color correction/filters, drag/drop masks, “stop render while preserving post effects”	More flexibility in post and test renders, less need to re-render entire image when tweaking or isolating areas.
Chaos Scans Integration in Cosmos	Over 3,100 real-world scanned materials from Chaos Scans added to the built-in Cosmos library	Easier access to high-quality materials out-of-the-box; drag & drop into scenes saves setup time.
Scatter / Instance & Clustering Tools	Clustering features in Chaos Scatter, edge trimming, camera clipping of scattered geometry	Better control over large distributions (vegetation, objects) and compositing with environment boundaries.
Distributed Rendering 2 (DR2) & Performance Upgrades	New distributed rendering system, optimised memory & performance, deferred loading previews	Faster network rendering, more responsive workflows when managing heavy scenes.

How These Updates Will Affect User Workflows

1. Faster Material Creation & Iteration

Instead of manually building or sourcing textures, you can often generate a functioning PBR material from a real-world sample in seconds. This is particularly useful for client revisions or site images.
→ Tip: Use the AI generator as a base, then refine bump or detail maps manually for high-end shots.

2. Cleaner Post-Processing Iteration

With more control in the VFB (e.g. custom render regions, vignettes, stop-with-post-effects), you can iterate color, tone, and local adjustments without re-rendering full frames. That saves significant time in late-stage polishing.

3. Greater GPU Viability & Interactivity

GPU rendering becomes more powerful (caustics, better memory, faster first pixel). You’ll get more realistic previews earlier in the scene build, which helps with lighting decisions, material tweaking, and fast client previews.

4. Better Handling of Scanned & Hybrid Data

3D Gaussian splatting with clipping support allows you to combine scan data with modeled geometry more effectively. For instance, you can import a dense point-cloud scan, trim away irrelevant parts, and blend it into your scene — all with GPU rendering support.

5. Enhancements to Night / Dusk Scenes

Previously, achieving realistic night skies often required HDRs, post compositing, custom star maps, etc. With procedural night sky built-in, you can set time, location or artistic parameters and get realistic celestial visuals quickly.

6. More Intelligent Scatter & Scene Composition

Clustering, edge trimming, and camera-aware scattering mean better-looking vegetation or object distribution with fewer artifacts. You’ll spend less time masking or cleaning up when things “bleed” outside boundaries.

7. Access to Premium Material Assets

With Chaos Scans integrated into Cosmos for all users, high-fidelity materials become part of your standard library. That reduces time spent hunting for premium textures or buying external packs.

8. Smarter Network & Distributed Workflows

DR2 and performance optimisations streamline multi-machine rendering. For studios, this means less waiting, more concurrency, and improved utilization of render farms with less manual setup.

Challenges & Adoption Tips

Beta features caution: AI tools (Material Generator, AI Enhancer) are still experimental. Trust them as assistance, not replacements. Check results for artifacts and consistency.
Hardware adequacy: Some new features (GPU caustics, large scatter scenes, splatting) demand strong GPUs and ample VRAM. Workstations may need upgrades.
Learning & retraining: Even experienced users will have a small learning curve adopting new VFB workflows, scatter clustering, or material workflows.
Version compatibility: When collaborating, ensure team members use compatible V-Ray versions; features like Gaussian splats or newer shaders may not render correctly on older versions.
File size & asset management: More high-fidelity materials, scatter data, and complex textures may increase file sizes and memory load. Use proxies, streaming, or efficient asset linking.
Cloud / licensing considerations: Some AI or cloud-based features may depend on subscription tier or require online connectivity.

Suggested Workflow Adjustments

Block out scene & lighting using traditional methods.
Apply base materials — use AI Material Generator for speed, then refine maps.
Scatter & populate with Chaos Scatter using clustering and edge trimming.
Insert Gaussian splat / scan elements where needed, then use clipping to control visual blending.
Choose sky & time — use procedural night sky if applicable.
Lighting & lookdev iteration via GPU preview, adjust materials or lighting early.
Render test passes with custom render regions or stop-with-post-effects to iterate quickly.
Final render using distributed rendering across machines.
Post polish in VFB: color correction, vignetting, masks, and minor tweaks.
Run AI Enhancer (if needed) to boost people or foliage detail as last pass.

Conclusion

The 2025 updates in V-Ray bring a compelling blend of automation, interactivity, and control. From AI-powered material creation to scattering tools, and from GPU caustics to procedural night skies, these enhancements shrink the gap between conceptual preview and final render.

Adopting these features thoughtfully can yield faster iteration, higher quality, and more creative freedom.

Enscape 2025 Updates: What’s New & How It Will Boost Your Workflow

Posted on August 20, 2025September 30, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

Enscape keeps evolving, and in 2025 it’s delivering features that sharpen its position as a go-to real-time rendering tool. Whether you use Enscape with SketchUp, Revit, Rhino or other host platforms, the latest updates enhance lighting, asset control, integration, and delivery. In this post, we’ll walk through the headline improvements, explore how they impact your day-to-day workflow, and suggest how to take full advantage.

Key Enscape 2025 Updates & Features

Here are some of the major updates rolling out in 2025 (and late 2024) that are reshaping what you can do in Enscape:

Feature	What It Adds / Changes	Workflow & Visual Impact
Emissive Materials as Ray-Traced Light Sources	Emissive materials now act as true light emitters in the ray-traced artificial lighting system.	More realistic lighting in scenes with LED strips, signage, and interior light panels. Cleaner renders, fewer artifacts, more artistic freedom.
Selective Asset Exclusion in White Mode	Ability to exclude particular assets or asset categories from White Mode.	Better presentation control: emphasize focal objects without reworking entire scenes.
Support for SketchUp 2025 & Photoreal Materials	Compatibility with SketchUp 2025 and its physically based (photoreal) material workflows.	Narrower gap between design model and rendered output, reducing material tweaking.
Continuous Delivery & Monthly Updates	Shift to a more continuous release model with faster, predictable updates.	Keeps tools fresh with incremental improvements, less waiting for big releases.
Enhanced Integration & Host Application Features	Improved handling of Revit filters, linked model overrides, and SketchUp geometry updates.	Tighter fidelity between CAD/BIM environment and Enscape output.
Improved Walkthrough Shadows	Refined ray-traced sun shadows during walkthrough navigation.	Smoother real-time presentation with more believable live shadows.
New Video Output Options & UI Enhancements	Support for 24 fps video exports, plus UI refinements for asset placement and material editing.	More cinematic video exports and reduced workflow friction.

How These Updates Will Transform Your Workflow

1. More Realistic Lighting with Less Effort

Emissive surfaces now act as real contributors in your lighting rigs. That means you can design more naturally (e.g. glowing signs, interior panels) and let Enscape handle the light bounce and contribution automatically, instead of faking it manually.

2. Smarter Presentation Control

Selective asset exclusion in White Mode gives you more control over storytelling. You can visually de-emphasize parts of a model while keeping your focus areas crisp, without needing separate scenes or hide/show toggles.

3. Better Material Match Between SketchUp & Enscape

With SketchUp 2025 compatibility and improved material workflows, the gap between your model and final rendered appearance narrows. That means less back-and-forth tweaking.

4. Faster Feature Uptake

Because Enscape is moving to continuous delivery, you won’t wait months for fixes or new tools. Your setup evolves with your needs, letting you adopt incremental improvements without major version jumps.

5. Cleaner Real-Time Navigation

Improved shadows in walkthrough mode make live navigation more believable. That’s helpful when conducting client walkthroughs or navigating the project at design review pace.

6. Cinematic Exports & Interface Smoothness

Support for 24 fps video and quality UI enhancements reduce friction in output delivery. Your presentation videos feel more polished, and interface design helps speed workflow tasks.

7. Reduced Gap Between Design & Rendered Output

Better host integration means you spend less time aligning visibility, filters, or material overrides. What you see in your CAD/BIM work is more reliably what gets rendered.

Challenges, Considerations & Best Practices

Compatibility: Some features (e.g. SketchUp 2025 support) may still be rolling out gradually.
Hardware Requirements: Ray-traced emissive lighting and enhanced shadows may push GPU limits.
Learning Curve: Features like selective asset exclusion and continuous delivery may require workflow adjustments.
Team Coordination: Ensure all team members use compatible versions to avoid mismatches.
Bug Risks in New Builds: Test updates before deploying on critical projects.
Scene Optimisation: Keep practicing good geometry and asset management to maintain performance.

Suggested Workflow Adjustments

Start with lighting & emissive material strategy in concept stage — let emissives do the work.
Set up selective asset exclusion for client-friendly White Mode previews.
Apply materials early with improved SketchUp/Enscape workflows.
Iterate via live walkthroughs — use improved shadows for client reviews.
Export cinematic videos at 24 fps for polished outputs.
Stay updated — enable monthly updates for continuous feature access.
Test previews early before using new tools in production workflows.

Conclusion

Enscape’s 2025 updates bring meaningful improvements — especially in lighting realism, asset control, host integration, and faster delivery of enhancements. These changes not only boost visual quality but also refine your workflow, reduce friction, and empower you to present designs more compellingly.

Master Your Design Workflow with SketchUp Studio — Why Buying from Elmtec Makes All the Difference

Posted on August 17, 2025October 09, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

In today’s fast-moving design world, architects, engineers, and construction professionals need tools that combine power, precision, and flexibility. SketchUp Studio delivers exactly that — an intuitive, all-in-one 3D design platform that streamlines your workflow from concept to completion. Whether you’re designing complex structures, visualizing interiors, or creating client-ready models, SketchUp Studio empowers you to bring ideas to life with unmatched speed and accuracy.

But to truly get the most from your software, you need more than just a license — you need expert support, hands-on guidance, and a partner who understands your workflow. That’s where Elmtec, the official UK reseller of SketchUp, stands out.

🎨 Why Choose SketchUp Studio

SketchUp Studio is the complete design solution for professionals who want to create, collaborate, and deliver with confidence. It brings together advanced modeling tools, powerful rendering capabilities, and cloud-based collaboration, all within an easy-to-use interface.

Key features include:

Comprehensive 3D modeling and documentation tools
Real-time rendering with V-Ray for stunning visualizations
Accurate performance modeling with Sefaira
Integration with Trimble Connect for seamless project collaboration
Cloud access for flexibility across teams and devices

With SketchUp Studio, you can move effortlessly from concept to construction documentation, improving productivity and reducing design iterations.

🌟 Why Buy SketchUp Studio from Elmtec

When you buy SketchUp Studio from Elmtec, you’re not just purchasing software — you’re investing in a complete support ecosystem designed to help you succeed. Elmtec is an official UK reseller of SketchUp, offering unbeatable value and customer support for design professionals across the country.

Here’s why thousands of professionals choose Elmtec:

🧭 A Free Onboarding Session

Get up and running fast with a personalised one-hour onboarding session, designed to help you start using SketchUp Studio confidently and efficiently. Conducted online at your convenience, this tailored session ensures you understand the tools, features, and workflows that matter most to your projects.

💡 Expert Advice and Ongoing Guidance

Elmtec’s team of SketchUp specialists is always available to provide expert advice, practical solutions, and technical support whenever you need it. From installation help to workflow optimization, you’ll have access to real people who understand your design challenges.

🎟️ Invitations to Exclusive Events and Webinars

Stay ahead of the curve with exclusive invitations to Elmtec’s SketchUp events and live webinars, where you can learn from industry experts, explore new features, and discover time-saving techniques to elevate your design process.

🎓 Access to Online Learning Resources

Continue developing your skills with a wide range of online learning materials, tutorials, and guides curated by Elmtec. Whether you’re a SketchUp beginner or an experienced designer, these resources help you sharpen your skills and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

🚀 Transform Your Workflow with Elmtec and SketchUp Studio

Choosing SketchUp Studio through Elmtec means choosing confidence, efficiency, and expert support every step of the way. With Elmtec as your trusted SketchUp partner, you’ll benefit from local expertise, dedicated onboarding, and continuous learning opportunities — everything you need to design without limits.

Empower your creativity, streamline your design workflow, and achieve professional results faster than ever before with SketchUp Studio from Elmtec.

Ready to get started?
Visit SketchUp Studio (1 year Subscription) or contact our team today to book your free onboarding session and experience the ultimate SketchUp workflow advantage.

Unlock Unmatched Performance with the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition — Why Buying from a UK Reseller Makes Sense

Posted on August 08, 2025October 09, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

The NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition is the powerhouse behind the next generation of artificial intelligence, data science, and professional visualization. Designed for enterprises that demand exceptional speed, reliability, and scalability, this GPU redefines performance for complex computing environments. Whether you’re building an AI training cluster, running advanced simulations, or managing virtualized workstations, the RTX 6000 Server Edition delivers cutting-edge power and efficiency that transform productivity.

When you invest in premium technology like the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition, choosing the right partner is just as important as the hardware itself. Purchasing from a certified UK reseller ensures you receive not only competitive pricing but also expert support, fast delivery, and professional guidance tailored to your business needs.

⚙️ Why Choose the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition

The NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition is built on the revolutionary Ada Lovelace architecture, offering industry-leading performance for enterprise workloads. It provides the ideal balance of speed, stability, and scalability for professionals who rely on powerful computing every day.

Key features include:

Exceptional multi-GPU and server performance for AI, data science, and rendering
Enterprise-grade reliability and 24/7 operation for mission-critical environments
Certified drivers for the world’s most demanding professional applications
Scalable architecture designed for next-generation data centres

With unmatched efficiency and computing power, the RTX 6000 Server Edition accelerates workflows, reduces processing time, and enhances overall system performance.

🇬🇧 The Advantages of Buying from a UK Reseller

When it comes to enterprise hardware, local expertise and support can make a significant difference. Buying your NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition from a UK reseller offers numerous advantages that go beyond the product itself.

💷 Competitive Pricing

UK resellers offer some of the most competitive prices in the market, helping you maximize your budget and eliminate the costs and delays associated with international shipping.

📦 High Stock Holding

With large quantities of RTX 6000 GPUs held in UK stock, you can enjoy faster delivery and immediate access to the hardware you need, ensuring minimal downtime for your business.

🤝 Pre and Post-Sales Support

From consultation to aftercare, UK resellers provide complete technical assistance and guidance. You’ll benefit from expert advice on installation, configuration, and long-term optimization to get the most from your NVIDIA RTX 6000 investment.

🧠 Professional Hardware Advice

Whether you’re upgrading your existing setup or planning a full-scale server deployment, UK resellers can provide tailored recommendations that align with your business goals, ensuring you invest in the right configuration for maximum performance.

🎟️ Exclusive Invitations to Events

Partnering with a UK reseller also grants you access to exclusive events and product showcases, where you can connect with industry leaders, experience live demos, and explore emerging NVIDIA technologies before anyone else.

💡 The Smarter Way to Invest in High-Performance Computing

The NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition is more than just a graphics card, it’s a cornerstone of innovation, performance, and reliability. By purchasing through a trusted UK reseller, you secure the perfect combination of powerful hardware, local expertise, and ongoing support that keeps your business ahead of the competition.

Upgrade your performance, enhance your productivity, and future-proof your technology infrastructure with the NVIDIA RTX 6000 Server Edition from a leading UK reseller. Experience the ultimate in speed, scalability, and professional computing today.

How AI Is Reshaping the Rendering Landscape – And What It Means for D5 Render Users in the UK

Posted on July 07, 2025July 07, 2025 by Charlotte Lee

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming architectural visualisation. Here’s how D5 Render is staying ahead – and why it matters for UK designers and visualisers.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a buzzword into a transformative force across countless industries. Architectural rendering is no exception. As the demand for high-quality, photorealistic visualisation increases, AI is redefining how creatives work — from concept to client presentation.

As a proud UK reseller of D5 Render, we’ve been at the forefront of this shift, and we’re here to unpack how AI is levelling up the rendering playing field — and what this means for architects, designers, and visualisers who rely on tools like D5.

1. Smarter, Faster Rendering Workflows

AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about intelligent acceleration. Tools like D5 Render already leverage AI to streamline rendering without sacrificing quality. Real-time ray tracing, GPU optimisation, and smart denoising are just the beginning.

With AI assisting behind the scenes, users can render photorealistic scenes in minutes, not hours — a massive win for fast-paced UK design studios and freelancers juggling multiple client demands.

2. AI-Assisted Scene Enhancement

Imagine being able to instantly replace a cloudy sky with a dynamic sunset or optimise material textures with a single click. AI-powered features like auto-light balancing, scene analysis, and intelligent post-processing are increasingly becoming standard.

D5’s rapid adoption of AI-driven tools means users can now spend less time on technical tweaks and more time on creative decisions — helping UK designers focus on storytelling and impact.

3. Generative AI in Concept Design

One of the most disruptive aspects of AI is its role in generative design. Early-stage conceptual rendering can now be supercharged by AI-driven prompts and 3D scene suggestions. While still in its infancy, this tech is already influencing how architects iterate ideas.

We expect future D5 integrations to potentially connect with generative tools, allowing UK users to transition from AI-generated concepts directly into polished, real-time renders — streamlining the creative pipeline like never before.

4. Democratisation of High-End Visualisation

Traditionally, high-end rendering was limited to studios with access to expensive hardware and large teams. But AI is helping level the field. With D5’s hardware-optimised engine and growing library of AI-powered features, even solo designers and small firms can produce cinematic-quality visuals on modest setups.

This democratisation is particularly powerful in the UK, where small design studios are driving innovation across architecture, interior design, and landscape visualisation.

5. What’s Next for AI and D5 Render?

AI in rendering is moving fast — and D5 Render is keeping pace. Expect to see:

Smarter asset management (auto-tagging, AI search)
Voice and prompt-based scene editing
AI-generated lighting suggestions
Context-aware rendering recommendations

As your trusted UK D5 Render partner, we’ll keep you ahead of the curve, ensuring you get the most out of every update and integration.

Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Curve

AI is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for future-ready visualisers. By choosing a rendering platform like D5 Render, UK designers can harness the power of AI today and be ready for tomorrow’s innovations.

If you’re looking to upgrade your rendering workflow, streamline your creative process, or future-proof your visualisation tools, we’re here to help.

Explore D5 Render with us – and render smarter, not harder.

Interested in a live demo or free trial of D5 Render?
Contact our UK team today and see how AI-enhanced rendering can transform your next project.