SketchUp - V-Ray - How to Make a Mirror? Guide, Tutorial

Publication date: 21-05-2025  |  Update date: 21-05-2025  | Author: Piotr Kurpiewski

To create a mirror in SketchUp using V-Ray, you need to properly configure the material to accurately replicate its reflective properties. Start by changing the Reflection Color parameter: the lighter the color, the stronger the reflections will be. Then set the Index of Refraction (IOR). To make the material behave like a mirror, set the IOR to a value between 10 and 100. You can experiment with different values to achieve the desired effect. Read the post and check out the visualization comparisons.

Materials created in SketchUp by default have only two attributes: color or texture and transparency. This is not enough to effectively recreate a mirror. A mirror is color-neutral and entirely opaque. Its most important characteristic is reflecting the surroundings.

Reflection

In V-Ray, the Reflection parameter is responsible for reflecting the environment. This property is common to all materials. If you look around, you'll surely find convincing examples: a laminated desktop, the glossy surface of a monitor, or a plastic chair—all reflect to varying degrees.

In a mirror, this effect is particularly pronounced; so much so that you can clearly see your reflection in its surface.

How to set up a mirror in V-Ray?

To enable reflections on a material surface, change the Reflection Color in the Reflection panel from black to white. The lighter the color, the stronger the reflections.

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The strength of reflections is governed by the refractive index, or IOR. This physical variable measures the change in wave speed in one medium relative to another. Simply put, the higher the IOR, the more mirror-like the material behaves.

By default, the Index of Refraction (IOR) is 1.6, which roughly corresponds to plastic, lacquer, or glass. A material will only start behaving like a mirror at IOR = 10, though you can also use a value of 100. Below you can see a comparison of IOR = 10 (on the left) and IOR = 100 (on the right).

Summary

The most important characteristic of a mirror is its strong reflection of the surroundings. You achieve this by setting the Reflection Color to white and the Index of Refraction to a value between 10 and 100. The color is not that critical—black or gray will still produce a convincing result.