Meet Moshe Shemesh, creator of “V-Ray for SketchUp textbook”

Go behind the scenes of the V-Ray for SketchUp textbook by Moshe Shemesh to discover what architects and designers can expect from this new educational ebook. 

Moshe Shemesh is an architect based in Israel who has turned his passion for teaching into the creation of a new educational e-publication: V-Ray for SketchUp textbook. As a V-Ray Licensed Instructor — and the head of V-Ray training at the licensed training center, ISRAEL3D — Moshe felt he’d reached a level where it was time to share his knowledge of rendering with the rest of the architectural world. “It was important for me to invest in the process of converting knowledge into an international language for young and advanced 3D artists alike,” Moshe explains. 

We talk to Moshe about his new ebook V-Ray for SketchUp textbook to find out what architects and designers can expect from this new title. 

How did you personally discover V-Ray for SketchUp and do you remember what that first exploration was like? 

MS: Well, SketchUp was developed by the fresh new startup company, @Last Software of Boulder, Colorado, and it wasn't so hard to realize that V-Ray 1 for SketchUp (first developed by ASGVIS) was the only decent and most professional render engine. Starting with V-Ray for SketchUp so early, learning everything on my own, led to a very thorough understanding of how things work. 

SketchUp and V-Ray allow me, as an architect, to best communicate my abstract ideas into well-crafted renders. . . . SketchUp with V-Ray is a powerful human communication tool.

For SketchUp users that are intrigued by rendering their designs but aren’t sure if it’s right for them, what advice would you give them?

MS: The way I came to build my knowledge was through a huge amount of renders and an equal amount of trial and error. I began by helping out my fellow students while I was studying Architecture until I transitioned to a full-fledged training center, with complimentary literature for SketchUp, V-Ray, 3ds Max, Photoshop, Illustrator and others. 

What is the learning curve like for someone looking to learn how to render in V-Ray for SketchUp from scratch? 

MS: The ebook aims to give every student lots of knowledge in a short time, which means that the lessons aim to minimize the learning curve and thus streamline the learning process. In addition, the ebook focuses on small successes — small bits of knowledge that complement a larger picture of knowledge that accumulate as you progress with reading and practice.

Once someone has completed the book, what can they expect to be armed with? 

MS: Those who have completed the ebook are equipped with sufficient knowledge to perform high-level visualizations. Of course, it depends very much on the curiosity of the reader and their ability to explore and be intrigued by the cool processes that happen in the software.

By and large, any student who finishes the ebook can of course return to their content at any time, and perform simulations of all kinds: product, interior and exterior.

Are you planning any future publications or other educational materials in the near future? How can our readers follow your work?

MS: My programs are completely attentive to my audience. I am very attentive to students and readers and open to any idea or initiative.

Everyone who purchases the ebook will join the family. This means that every student will receive equal updates in the future regarding all kinds of initiatives in our field of creating photorealistic imagery.

Are there any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? 

MS: Yes! Knowledge equals power. Investing in knowledge saves time. Take a source of knowledge, learn from it, and progress faster, more efficiently — and in a very focused way.

Find out more about V-Ray for SketchUp textbook and download a sample PDF at vfsbook.com.