SketchUp 2017 Essential Training

Learn the essentials of SketchUp 2017, the free and easy-to-use 3D drawing, design, and rendering program.

SketchUp is a free and easy-to-use 3D drawing, design, and rendering program. SketchUp 2017 offers faster performance, intelligent tools such as smart offsets and inferencing, and more customization options than ever before. Learn the essentials of the latest version of SketchUp in this course. George Maestri covers navigating around the interface, manipulating objects, drawing in 2D and 3D space, working with materials, and applying textures. Plus, learn how to work with reusable components (including third-party objects from the 3D Warehouse) and apply simple styles and animation to make your 3D projects more polished and presentable.

Note: The core features of SketchUp Make, the free version of SketchUp covered in this course, and SketchUp Pro, the paid version of the program, are identical. Users of both versions should be able to follow along with the training.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How to use the exercise files
• SketchUp Make vs. SketchUp Pro
• Differences between the Windows and Mac platforms

1. The SketchUp Interface

• Interface basics for Windows
• Interface basics for the Mac
• Navigate in SketchUp
• Walk around in SketchUp
• Create camera views
• Shade faces and edges
• Create shadows and fog
• Create multiple views using scenes
• Configure toolbars and trays: Windows
• Configure toolbars: Mac

2. Manipulate Objects

• Select and move objects
• Scale and rotate objects
• Manipulate faces and edges
• Advanced selection tools

3. Draw in SketchUp

• Line tool fundamentals
• 3D drawing with the Line tool
• Use the Rectangle tool
• Create rotated rectangles
• Push and pull faces in 3D
• Use the Eraser tool
• Create outlines with Offset
• Draw curved and freehand shapes
• Create circles and polygons
• Soften and smooth edges
• Use the Follow Me tool
• Create 3D text

4. Measure and Label

• Use the Tape Measure tool
• Use the Protractor tool
• Create labels with the Text tool
• Dimensioning
• Create cutaways using section planes

5. Stay Organized

• Group objects
• Work with layers
• Use the Outliner and Entity Info

6. Work with Components

• The Component window
• Create components
• Use the 3D Warehouse
• Use the Component Options window
• Use the Interact tool

7. Materials and Textures: Windows

• Apply materials
• Edit materials
• Create materials
• Map textures interactively
• Map curved objects
• Projection maps on curved objects
• Create a floor plan using bitmaps
• Draw a structure from a floor plan

8. Materials and Textures: Mac

• Apply materials on a Mac
• Edit materials on a Mac
• Create materials on a Mac
• Map textures on a Mac
• Map curved objects on a Mac
• Projection maps on a Mac
• Create a floor plan on a Mac
• Draw from a floor plan on a Mac

9. Rendering and Animation

• Apply styles
• Edit and create styles
• Export in 2D and 3D
• Basic animation

Conclusion

• Next steps