3D-Tastic Follow-Up

Ok, I've found an even better, and totally FREE, renderer which is quite frankly, the dogs bollocks!!! It's called Kerkythea (no idea what it means!) and you can find it here.

The software doesn't integrate into Sketchup (SU) as Podium does but you can easily export your SU model into an XML file that can then be read into Kerkythea (KT) and then this is where it is much better than Podium. Whereas in Podium you are limited to simple Reflection and Light settings, in KT you have way more settings ranging from Reflection to Specularity to Fog to Shinyness etc.... This gives you infinately more control over the appearance of your objects which in turn culminates in much better looking renders. Granted, there is a little bit more work involved but the end result is worth it. There is also no limitations on output sizes either as this is completely freeware (unbelievably given the power it has!).

Fantastic stuff and very addictive although some of the renders can take a long time! I'm still working on the new kitchen design and we've re-jigged things around a little to optimise space. I think we're definately settled on the layout now, we just need to choose the colors. Below are the new design pics rendered in KT.