How to Render Neon Light Signage and Logo’s – V-Ray 3.4 For SketchUp

In this tutorial, you are going to learn the step-by-step process on how to render a logo or signage with neon light effects using emissive material in VRay 3.4 for SketchUp.

SETTING UP THE SCENE AND ENVIRONMENT INSIDE SKETCHUP

STEP 1: Create a 3D model, ground and wall. Apply appropriate textures in your model which can be found in the SketchUp Material Dialogue box.

Step 1

STEP 2: Find appropriate view. When done, save the Scene.

Step 2

STEP 3: Under V-Ray Asset Editor > Lights > Sunlight > Main, disable the sunlight by unchecking the box.

Step 3

STEP 4: To change the environment settings, go to V-Ray Asset Editor > Background, expand the selection then change the mode from Sky to Color setting. Change the color from black to grey. Apply the same procedure for GI Skylight. When you run a test render, the image should be dark in nature.

Step 4

STEP 5: To change the dimension settings, go to V-Ray Asset Editor > Settings > Render Output and change your preferred Aspect Ratio as well as the dimension value.

Step 5

MAIN TUTORIAL FOR LOGO OR SIGNAGE WITH NEON LIGHTS EFFECT

STEP 1: To insert image inside SketchUp, go to File > Import.

Step 1

STEP 2: Select your preferred PNG image. Use image as Image. When done, click Import.

Step 2

Our sample of neon lights image can be downloaded in this site: click here

Sample of neon image

STEP 3: Place the imported image near the wall. Adjust the scale of the image. Then slightly move the image away from the wall. Make sure to leave a small space between the imported image and the wall.

Step 3

If you are going to run a test render, this will be the initial result. Here, the neon logo image is not visible enough in darker environment. It’s primarily because the image has no emissive material yet.

STEP 4: Right click > select the imported image then choose Explode. The image will automatically register in V-Ray materials. When done, right click > select the image again and select Group.

Step 4

STEP 5: Select the imported image texture located in the V-Ray Materials and delete the V-Ray BRDF layer. When done, add Diffuse layer. Click > load image and select the neon light image, the same image we loaded before.

Step 5

STEP 6: Still on the same material, check the Use color texture as transparency to enable the transparency texture.

Step 6

STEP 7: Still on the same material, add Emissive layer.

Step 7

STEP 8: Still on the same material, under Emissive, check the Double Sided and uncheck the Multiply by Opacity. When done, load the image texture in the Emissive layer. Select the same neon light image from before.

Step 8

STEP 9: Under the Emissive layer, go to Transparency Color and change the Color from black to white. When done, click the render button.

Step 9

Final result (raw render).

Final image

Other logo’s and signs with this neon lights effect.

Try to apply this technique to other logo’s and neon signs. Have fun!

Benedict Caliwara 

See more of Benedict’s work here