Learning SketchUp Free

Learn how to bring your 3D ideas to life with SketchUp Free, a browser-based 3D modeling and visualization tool that Trimble offers as a subset of the powerful SketchUp Pro.

Introduction

• 3D modeling on the web with SketchUp Free
• Starting SketchUp Free in a browser
• Understanding the exercise files and Trimble Connect

1. The SketchUp Free Interface

• Interface basics
• Open files from Trimble Connect
• Inserting files
• Load components via 3D Warehouse
• Navigating in SketchUp
• Walking around in SketchUp
• Standard camera views
• Display shadows and fog
• Creating multiple views using scenes
• Applying styles
• Model info window
• Challenge: Scenes and styles
• Solution: Scenes and styles

2. Drawing in SketchUp

• Line tool fundamentals
• 3D drawing with the Line tool
• Using the Rectangle tool
• Creating rotated rectangles
• Pushing and pulling faces in 3D
• Using the Eraser tool
• Challenge: Basic drawing
• Solution: Basic drawing

3. Advanced Drawing

• Drawing curved and freehand shapes
• Creating circles and polygons
• Softening and smoothing edges
• Creating outlines with Offset
• Using the Follow Me tool
• Creating 3D text
• Challenge: Advanced drawing
• Solution: Advanced drawing

4. Manipulating Objects

• Selecting and moving objects
• Scaling and rotating objects
• Manipulating faces and edges
• Duplicating objects
• Challenge: Drawing with duplication
• Solution: Drawing with duplication

5. Staying Organized

• Grouping objects
• Creating components
• Component options
• Working with layers
• Understanding entity info
• Challenge: Components and groups
• Solution: Components and groups

6. Measuring and Labeling

• Using the Tape Measure tool
• Using the Protractor tool
• Creating labels with the Text tool
• Dimensioning
• Creating cutaways using section planes
• Challenge: Drawing with guides
• Solution: Drawing with guides

7. Materials and Textures

• Applying materials
• Create materials from textures
• Adjusting texture placement
• Mapping curved objects
• Importing images
• Challenge: Adding materials
• Solution: Adding materials

8. Import and Export

• Downloading SketchUp files
• Export to 2D formats
• Export to 3D printers

Conclusion

• Next steps