Spotlight: Adam Billyard, Developer of LightUp

This time we place Adam Billyard, developer of LightUp plugin for Google SketchUp, into the spotlight of “The Daily CatchUp”.

TDC: There is a new version of LightUp released last week, remind us what LightUp does?

Adam: The latest version of LightUp is v1.5b. LightUp is a plugin for Google Sketchup that adds realtime lighting and shadows to your model without the need to export your model to another Application. The idea is you can iterate designs quickly by flicking back and forth between Sketchup and the lit realtime version. Lighting typically takes only a few minutes after which you can move around you lit model in realtime, exploring different viewpoint.

The new version adds the ability to instantly create High Definition (HD) Stills, Movies and Quicktime VR files of your model for your clients, as well adding animated materials to inject more dynamism to presentations.

TDC: Does LightUp use raytracing?

Adam: Yes, LightUp does use raytracing but in a different way than other renderers. A traditional raytracer traces the light for each pixel in your view. LightUp traces the light light for each point of the surface of your models. This means with LightUp you can walk around your model in realtime once it is lit. The time cost of generating a different viewpoint is zero.

TDC: Is LightUp multicore aware?

Adam: Yes, LightUp will make use of as many cores as you have available which significantly reduces lighting times. The results are then saved so next time you load the model, LightUp realtime mode (Tourtool) can be started in a matter of seconds.

TDC: Who is using LightUp?

Adam: There is a wide variety of professionals using LightUp because Sketchup is used in such diverse fields. However, broadly LightUp is being used by:

• Architects looking for high quality, realtime visualizations
• Lighting designers / Light rig designers using IES
  luminaire definitions
• Stage and set designers in theatre and film
• Game content creators
• Product visualization specialist

TDC: Is LightUp suitable for my work?

Adam: The best (and probably only) way to determine this, is to download the free 30 day trial and test drive LightUp on your models using your lighting requirements. If LightUp helps your work, then buy it, if it doesn’t then don’t. Simple as that!

The forums are a good source of information and answers if you have queries.

TDC: What sort of lights can I use in LightUp?

Adam: Point lights (aka Omni lights), Area lights, Image-based lighting using HDR backdrops, and of course IES luminaire definition files. Lights are placed in your model either by dropping in a Component at the position you want a light, or by using a Tool to mark the SU materials as emitters and set their parameters.

TDC: Is it true LightUp will be supporting a web browser viewer of LightUp models for those without Sketchup?

Adam: Yes, this is planned for a future release along with a some other exciting features. You can get a free demo of LightUp from http://www.light-up.co.uk

Short URL: http://news.sketchucation.com/?p=1331