I'd like to know....

In Visual Communications this semester I would like to learn how to use sketch up and I am particularly interested in working with a rendering program in order to create photo realistic renderings for a 3D model.  I'd like to be able to accurately render these drawings with lighting tools and shadowing tools and other effects that create an accurate drawing.  I'd also enjoy learning how to put our own hand/marker renderings and put them into photoshop and be able to create our personal stylistic drawings.