Learning SketchUp Free

Learn how to use SketchUp Free, a browser-based 3D modeling and visualization tool for bringing your 3D ideas to life.

Introduction

• 3D modeling on the web with SketchUp Free
• Starting SketchUp Free in a browser
• SketchUp Free and SketchUp Go
• Using the exercise files

1. The SketchUp Interface

• Interface basics
• Loading files
• Load components via 3D Warehouse
• Navigating in SketchUp
• Walking around in SketchUp
• Standard camera views
• Creating multiple views using scenes
• Shadows, fog, and display options
• Model Info window
• Challenge: Basic interface
• Solution: Basic interface

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

• Creating polygons and circles
• Softening and smoothing edges
• Drawing curved and freehand shapes
• 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
• Solid tools
• Challenge: Manipulating objects
• Solution: Manipulating objects

5. Staying Organized

• Grouping objects
• Creating components
• Component Options window
• Working with tags
• Understanding Entity Info
• SketchUp Go: Outliner
• Challenge: Staying organized
• Solution: Staying organized

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

• Apply materials
• Create materials from bitmaps
• Adjust textures interactively
• Importing images
• Applying styles
• SketchUp Go: Editing materials
• SketchUp Go: Customizing styles
• Challenge: Apply materials and styles
• Solution: Apply materials and styles

8. Import and Export

• Downloading SketchUp files
• Exporting to 2D formats
• Exporting to 3D formats

Conclusion

• Next steps