# D5 Lite 1.8.0 for SketchUp: New Features {#sketchup-1-8-0-new-features}

In D5 Lite 1.8.0 for SketchUp on Windows, use wireframe placeholders for complex models and still see the full geometry in Lite. The new Fabric template recreates the look of velvet and silk, and the tone mapping controls let you adjust highlights, shadows, and midtones separately. This version adds support for SketchUp 2027.

| Key update | What you can do |
| --- | --- |
| [Proxy and linked models](#proxy-and-linked-models) | Use lightweight placeholders in SketchUp while viewing complete models in Lite |
| [Fabric materials](#fabric) and [directional highlights](#directional-highlights) | Create velvet, silk, and brushed-metal surfaces |
| [Tone mapping](#tone-mapping) | Adjust highlights, shadows, and midtones separately |
| [Navigation presets](#navigation) and [on-screen help](#shortcuts-and-status) | Choose familiar controls and check shortcuts and status while you work |
| [Map menus](#map-menu), [frame rate](#frame-rate), and [windows](#windows) | Manage maps, adjust viewport GPU usage, and keep panels visible |

## Use Lightweight Placeholders for Complex Models {#proxy-and-linked-models}

Display complex components as wireframe placeholders in SketchUp while keeping their full appearance in Lite. This reduces the display load in the modeling viewport. Choose between two workflows:

| Method | When to use it | Get started |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Custom proxy model | Simplify a component already in the current file | Select the component, then right-click and choose D5 代理模型 → 转占位 (convert to placeholder) |
| Linked model | Reference a model stored in a separate `.skp` file | Save the current file, click Link Model on the D5 Lite toolbar, select the external file, and place it |

### Convert an Existing Component to a Proxy

1. Select the component in SketchUp.
2. Right-click and choose **D5 代理模型 → 转占位** (convert to placeholder). The context menu in Windows build 1.8.0.0011 uses these Chinese labels in both interface languages.
3. Check the wireframe placeholder in SketchUp and the full model in the Lite viewport.

Conversion works by component definition, so every other instance of that definition is converted too. To edit an original component again, select the placeholders you want to restore and choose D5 代理模型 → 还原 (restore). Other unselected placeholders can remain in place.

### Link an External Model

1. Save the current SketchUp file.
2. Click **Link Model** on the **D5 Lite (Beta)** toolbar, or choose **Extensions → D5 Lite (Beta) → Link Model**.
3. Choose an external `.skp` file. The current file cannot link to itself.
4. Click in the SketchUp viewport to place the placeholder, or press Esc to cancel.
5. Check the full model in Lite.

Keep the external source file at an accessible path. If it is missing or inaccessible, SketchUp retains the placeholder, but Lite cannot display the full model. Edit the external source file when you need to change its geometry; linked models do not use the custom proxy's restore command.

After editing and saving the external `.skp` file, reopen the main SketchUp file that links to it. Start Lite and check the updated model in the viewport.

To continue working in D5 Render, close Lite, then click **Connect to D5 Render** on SketchUp's D5 toolbar. Sync the model to display the full geometry of both custom proxy models and linked models in D5 Render.

[Read the Full Proxy and Linked Models Guide →](/lite/proxy-and-linked-models-sketchup.md)

## Create Velvet and Silk with the Fabric Template {#fabric}

Use the new Fabric template for sofas, bedding, and other textiles. Choose Velvet or Silk to suit the surface.

1. Open the material panel from the Lite bottom toolbar or SketchUp's D5 Lite menu, then select the material in SketchUp.
2. Switch the template to Fabric and choose Velvet or Silk.
3. Adjust the controls for your chosen type and check the surface in the Lite viewport.

- **Velvet:** Use Sheen Strength to adjust the fabric sheen, Sheen Roughness to soften its reflections, and Sheen Tint to adjust how much base color appears in the sheen. Add a Sheen Mask when the effect needs to vary across the surface.
- **Silk:** Use Highlight Stretch and Highlight Rotation to adjust the shape and direction of the sheen, as described in the next section.

Save the file in SketchUp when you finish.

Continue to use the Sheer template for semi-transparent fabrics such as voile.

[Read the Full Fabric Materials Guide →](/lite/materials-sketchup.md)

## Shape Highlights on Metal and Silk {#directional-highlights}

Brushed metal and silk have a directional sheen. Metal adds Highlight Stretch, Highlight Rotation, and Tangent Map controls, which Silk also uses.

1. Select the material and use the Metal template, or choose Silk under Fabric.
2. Adjust Highlight Stretch to change how elongated the highlight appears.
3. Adjust Highlight Rotation to change its direction. Check in Lite that the highlight follows the surface texture as intended.
4. If the direction needs to vary across the surface, import a tangent map. Save the file in SketchUp when you finish.

[Read the Full Materials Guide →](/lite/materials-sketchup.md)

## Adjust Highlights, Shadows, and Midtones Separately {#tone-mapping}

Updated tone mapping controls in the Effect panel let you refine different brightness regions after setting the overall exposure.

| Control | Purpose |
| --- | --- |
| Highlight Compression Strength | Adjust how strongly bright areas are compressed |
| Highlight Transition Range | Adjust the transition between highlight processing and other brightness levels |
| Highlight Detail | Adjust detail in bright areas |
| Shadow Darkening Strength | Adjust how strongly dark areas are darkened |
| Shadow Transition Range | Adjust the transition between shadow processing and other brightness levels |
| Midtone Brightness | Adjust brightness in the midtones |

1. Open the Effect panel on the right side of the Lite window and set overall brightness with Exposure.
2. Adjust highlights, shadows, and midtones as needed, checking each region in the viewport.
3. Fine-tune Contrast, Temperature, Tint, and Saturation.
4. Create a scene in the Scene List, or select an existing scene and click Update Scene to record the current look. Then save the file in SketchUp.

Further preview adjustments do not automatically replace the recorded scene. To send that scene's effects to D5 Render, close Lite, connect to D5 Render, then click **Send Scenes** on the SketchUp toolbar. Syncing the model alone does not send these scene settings.

Use a D5 Render version that supports syncing scene environment and effects. Versions using the older scene interface receive the camera only.

[Read the Full Effects Guide →](/lite/effects.md)

## Choose Familiar Camera Controls {#navigation}

The first-launch guide introduces the main interface areas and offers two navigation presets. To change your choice later:

1. Open Settings on SketchUp's D5 Lite toolbar.
2. Set **Lite navigation preset** to **D5 default** or **Enscape controls**.
3. Click Save, then return to the Lite viewport to move and look around using your chosen controls.

| Action | D5 default | Enscape controls |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Orbit | Middle-button drag | Right-button drag |
| Pan | Shift + middle-button drag | Middle-button drag |
| Look around | Right-button drag | Left-button drag |
| Move up / down | Q / E | E / Q |

Both presets use Ctrl + scroll to adjust field of view (FOV). This action is unavailable in orthographic projection, where scrolling zooms the visible extent. Holding the right mouse button while scrolling adjusts movement speed first.

[Compare the Camera Control Presets →](/lite/camera-controls-sketchup.md)

## Check Shortcuts and Status While You Work {#shortcuts-and-status}

1. Click ? in the upper-right corner of the Lite viewport and choose Shortcuts.
2. Find the current controls under **Navigation**, **View**, or **Edit & Interface**.
3. Drag the panel's title to keep it floating beside the main window while you work.

Toggle **Shortcut hints** and **Show FPS** separately in the **?** menu. FPS appears in the title bar. When you adjust FOV or movement speed, the viewport shows the current value and hides it after the adjustment. Choose **Replay Introduction** to see the feature introduction again.

[Read the Full Shortcuts and Status Guide →](/lite/other-features.md)

## Manage Material Maps from the Context Menu {#map-menu}

1. Open the Lite material panel and select the material to edit.
2. Right-click the relevant map slot and choose Import, Copy, Paste, Delete, or Show in Folder.
3. Check the result in Lite after replacing or removing the map, then save the file in SketchUp.

Commands are enabled according to the current map and clipboard contents. Show in Folder requires an accessible local map file.

[Read the Full Maps Guide →](/lite/materials-sketchup.md)

## Set the Viewport Frame Rate Limit {#frame-rate}

Choose a lower frame rate limit when you want to reduce the Lite viewport's GPU usage while modeling.

1. Open Settings on SketchUp's D5 Lite toolbar.
2. Find Lite Viewport Frame Rate Limit and select 30, 60, or 120 FPS, or Unlimited. The default is 60 FPS.
3. Click Save to apply it to the Lite viewport.

The setting is saved as a preference for the current user.

[Read the Full Frame Rate Guide →](/lite/other-features.md)

## Keep Floating Panels Visible and Pin the Main Window Independently {#windows}

Panels such as Environment, Effect, and Shortcuts can be detached from the main window. Open panels that have not been hidden or minimized remain visible when you switch between Lite and SketchUp, so you can keep checking their settings while modeling.

Click the title-bar pin button, or press Shift + Alt + T, to keep the Lite main window on top. The main window's pinning state can be changed independently.

[Read the Full Window and Panel Guide →](/lite/other-features.md)

## Use SketchUp 2027 {#sketchup-2027}

This version adds SketchUp 2027 support. Open the Lite page in the D5 Launcher, select the SketchUp plugin to install or update, then launch SketchUp.

[Read the Installation Steps →](/lite/getting-started.md) · [Check System Requirements →](/lite/system-requirements.md)

[Release Notes for This Version →](/lite/updates/index.md#sketchup-1-8-0) · [Back to the User Manual →](/lite/index.md)