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SketchUp for Beginners

Master 3D modeling fast with this SketchUp for Beginners course. Build real-world projects, pick up smart shortcuts, and more without any experience.

(SketchUp.AE1) / ISBN : 978-1-64459-702-6
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About This Course

You got ideas in your head.. You tried clunky tutorials.   You stared at SketchUp’s interface thinking, “Where do I even start?” It’s frustrating. This course fixes it. You’ll learn SketchUp by actually building things. Not theory but real, hands-on practice. By the end, you will grow into an exceptional pro who crafts polished models for architecture, interior design, or 3D printing. Each and every tool is at your fingertips in the simplest manner. You’ll also pick up powerful SketchUp tips for beginners to work faster and avoid rookie mistakes. Every lesson moves you forward with purpose.

Skills You’ll Get

 

How to set up your SketchUp workspace for smooth, stress-free modeling The fastest way to draw, edit, and organize 3D objects, even as a total beginner Smart modeling techniques to keep your designs clean, accurate, and easy to change How to apply materials, shadows, and styles that make your models pop Steps to prepare your designs for 3D printing or real-world projects Pro-level SketchUp tips for beginners that save hours of frustration How to use LayOut to turn your models into presentations that actually impress Real-world workflows used in architecture, interiors, woodworking, and more

Download Course Outline

1

Introduction

  • About This Course
  • False Assumptions
  • Icons Used in This Course
  • Where to Go from Here
2

The SketchUp Setup

  • Picking a Version of SketchUp
  • Navigating SketchUp
  • Taking the 10-Minute SketchUp Tour
  • The SketchUp Frame of Mind
3

Getting a Running Start

  • Making a Quick Model from Scratch
  • Slapping On Some Paint
  • Giving Your Model Some Style
  • Switching On the Sun
  • Sharing Your Masterpiece
4

Establishing the Modeling Mindset

  • All about Edges and Faces
  • Drawing in 3D on a 2D Screen
  • Warming Up Your SketchUp Muscles
5

Building Buildings

  • Drawing Floors and Walls
  • Staring Down Stairs
  • Raising the Roof
6

Falling in Love with Components

  • SketchUp Groupies
  • Working with Components
  • Taking Advantage of Components to Build Better Models
7

Going beyond Buildings

  • Extruding with Purpose: Follow Me
  • Modeling with the Scale Tool
  • Making and Modifying Terrain
  • Building a Solid Tools Foundation
8

Keeping Your Model Organized

  • Taking Stock of Your Tools
  • Seeing the Big Picture: The Outliner
  • Discovering the Ins and Outs of Tags
  • Putting It All Together
9

Modeling with Textures, Photographs, and CAD Files

  • Painting Faces with Image Files
  • Modeling Directly from a Photo: Introducing Photo-Matching
  • Adding Geographic Data
  • Working with Imported CAD files
10

3D Printing with SketchUp Models

  • Building Up a View of 3D Printing
  • Knowing Your 3D Printers
  • Designing for Successful 3D Printing
  • Preparing a SketchUp Model for 3D Printing
  • Exporting Your SketchUp File
  • Using Your 3D Printer
  • Going beyond Basic 3D Printing
  • Designing Things That Move
11

Working with Styles and Shadows

  • Styling Your Model’s Appearance
  • Working with Shadows
12

Preparing Models for Presentation

  • Exploring Your Creation on Foot
  • Taking the Scenic Route
  • Mastering the Sectional Approach
13

Creating Images, Presentations, and Documents in LayOut

  • Building a LayOut Document
  • Creating Your Own Templates
  • Putting Together Your Own Scrapbooks
  • Getting Your Document out the Door
14

Other Ways to Share Your Work

  • Exporting Images from SketchUp for Web
  • Making Sure You Export Enough Pixels
  • Exporting Enough Pixels for a Digital Presentation
  • Printing from SketchUp for Web
  • Printing to Scale in SketchUp for Web
  • Making Movies with Animation Export
  • Exporting a CAD File
  • Working with the 3D Warehouse
15

Ten SketchUp Traps and Their Workarounds

  • SketchUp Won’t Create a Face Where You Want It To
  • Your Faces Are Two Different Colors
  • Edges on a Face Won’t Sink In
  • SketchUp Crashed, and You Lost Your Model
  • SketchUp Is Sooooo Slooooooooow
  • You Can’t Get a Good View of the Inside of Your Model
  • A Face Flashes When You Orbit
  • You Can’t Move Your Component the Way You Want
  • Bad Stuff Happens Almost Every Time You Use the Eraser
  • All Your Edges and Faces Have Different Tags
16

Ten SketchUp Quick Wins

  • Setting Your Click Style to Click-Move-Click
  • Customizing Shortcuts
  • Using the Inference Locking Force
  • Transporting Yourself across Space and Time
  • Rounding Off Edges with the Arc Tool
  • Using the Scale Tool to Set Length for Simple Objects
  • Ten Extensions for Dummies
  • Getting SketchUp on Your Smartphone
  • Turning Off Your Profiles
  • Connecting with the SketchUp Community

Any questions?
Check out the FAQs

Read answers to commonly asked questions about this certification exam.

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Yes, SketchUp has an intuitive interface that makes it ideal for beginners. Our course shows you practical steps to get started fast.

SketchUp features a faster learning curve than AutoCAD. Its visual and hands-on approach lets you build your skills quickly.

A modern computer with a reliable graphics card and sufficient memory works best. Check SketchUp’s system recommendations for detailed specs.

SketchUp is perfect for exploring ideas and basic models. Revit suits detailed building projects with advanced data needs.

For new learners, SketchUp stands out. It offers an easy entry point compared to Rhino, which is more suited for intricate modeling.

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