Use Enscape for SketchUp to place lights, adjust their settings and create self-illuminated materials.
Overview
SketchUp has no native lights. Open the Enscape Objects window from the Extensions menu in SketchUp or the Enscape ribbon to add lights.
UI paths
||Enscape Toolbar|| > Enscape Objects
Light types
Enscape for SketchUp has five light sources. Place them with two to four clicks, as described below.
- Sphere light
- Spot light
- Line light
- Rect (Rectangular) Light and Disk Light
Sphere Light
The Sphere Light emits light in all directions from a single point. Use it for light bulbs, candle flames or ambient fill light.
Creation
Placement takes 2 clicks.
- Place the light with these clicks:
- Click 1 (Base Anchor). Set the initial anchor point on existing geometry, such as a ceiling, wall or fixture socket.
- Click 2 (Source Placement). Move your cursor away from the base surface, using the arrow keys to lock axes if needed. Click to set the light source's final 3D coordinates.
Parameters
Luminous Intensity controls the brightness and maximum range of the light.
Light Source Radius controls the size of the light source.
Spot Light
The Spot Light projects a focused cone of light in a set direction. Use it for accent lighting, track spotlights or downlights. It also supports custom IES profiles.
Creation
Placement takes 4 clicks.
- Place the light with these clicks:
- Click 1 (Base Anchor). Set the initial reference anchor point on your geometry, usually on the face of the lighting fixture.
- Click 2 (Source Placement). Set the point where the light originates. You can move it outside the fixture so the fixture does not block it.
- Click 3 (Target Anchor). Click the surface you want to illuminate, such as a floor, table or wall, to set the beam's direction.
- Click 4 (Target Finalization). Set the beam's final orientation along the target surface to lock its direction.
Parameters
IES File loads an IES Profile file.
Luminous Intensity controls the brightness and maximum range of the light.
Beam Angle controls the width of the light's beam.
Line lights
The Line Light emits light from a line segment. Use it for cove lighting, LED strips, under-cabinet fixtures or fluorescent tubes.
Creation
Placement takes 2 clicks.
- Place the light with these clicks:
- Click 1 (Segment Start). Set the starting point of the line light.
- Click 2 (Segment End). Set the line light's direction, axis alignment and length to finish placing it.
Parameters
Luminous Intensity controls the brightness and maximum range of the light.
Length controls the length of the light source.
Rect (Rectangular) Light
The Rectangular Light emits light from a 2D rectangular surface that you can adjust. Use it for large lighting panels, studio softboxes or simulated window light.
Creation
Placement takes 4 clicks.
- Place the light with these clicks:
- Click 1 (Base Anchor). Set the initial placement reference point on your model's geometry.
- Click 2 (Source Placement). Set the location and starting boundary of the light emitter plane.
- Click 3 (Target Anchor). Click a surface in your model to point the light panel's face towards it.
- Click 4 (Orientation Finalization). Confirm the light-emitting surface's exact rotation and direction.
Parameters
Luminous Power controls the brightness and maximum range of the light.
Width controls the width of the light source.
Length controls the length of the light source.
Disk Light
The Disk Light emits light from a flat circular plane. Use it for recessed ceiling spotlights, round pendant fixtures or disc-shaped luminaires.
Creation
Placement takes 4 clicks.
- Place the light with these clicks:
- Click 1 (Base Anchor). Set the initial reference anchor point on your geometry.
- Click 2 (Source Placement). Place the disk emitter slightly away from the geometry surface to prevent light clipping.
- Click 3 (Target Anchor). Click a target surface in your model to point the disk's face towards it.
- Click 4 (Orientation Finalization). Set the circular light source's final tilt, rotation and aiming direction.
Parameters
Luminous Power controls the brightness and maximum range of the light.
Light Source Radius controls the size of the light source.
Colouring lights
Use the SketchUp Paint Bucket tool to colour lights. Choose a colour in the SketchUp Material Editor, then click the light object in the SketchUp window to apply it. You can then adjust the colour directly in the Enscape window.
color-lights
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Self-illumination
Self-illuminated materials are a lighting option outside the Enscape Objects window.
Add the keyword Emissive to the material name, or use the Material Editor for more control. In the Material Editor, change your object's material type to Self-illuminated.