Online SketchUp Course | The Complete Guide to SketchUp

We ease you into the course by running you through the user interface, key toolbars to have ready, the perfect initial setup & preferences and the different versions of SketchUp, helping you choose the right one for you.

Before we dive into modelling anything complex, we need to understand what SketchUp is capable of. In this first 'proper' lesson you'll learn the basic drawing features and how drawn elements, known as faces, can be converted into 3d geometry.

We swiftly move into basic modelling techniques so you can gauge the possibilities within SketchUp. You'll learn the applicable tools for modelling objects and buildings, and some pro tips for an efficient workflow.

To make sure you're on the right path and avoid bad habits we set the fundamentals for successful models in SketchUp. Types of selection, groups, components, the tray, array tools and more are covered in this valuable lesson to perfectly set you on your way.

Accuracy is crucial for construction industry designers, so before we see out chapter one, we ensure that you learn how to make accurate measurements and guides for millimetre precision. In addition to this, you'll learn how to measure area, volume, length and how to annotate your models.

This model repository is free to use, and purpose built for SketchUp users. Here, you can download assets to populate your projects. This lesson explains best practice in searching for models, filtering results and how to use the product category for real world specification.

Now, we're into the meat of the course, modelling The Quest. Firstly, in order to produce an accurate model, we import CAD drawings. You'll learn the best practice for this process, to avoid bugs and maintain a slick workflow.

With everything set and imported we model the shell of the building, which are the external & internal walls, windows, doors etc. Using reference drawings, we make sure everything is placed carefully to avoid error and re-work later into the project creation.

In this lesson we move inside and add furniture, fittings and details. We're approaching this project as if it's our own and we want to walk a client through it, so you'll learn how to properly stage your models for presentation purposes.

To round off the building model we add fine detail, populate the shelves, work up the kitchen, add lighting and more to make for a detailed & realistic 3d model.

Before we move into the site, you'll learn how to add high quality textures to the building to help create brilliant graphics from your model and anticipate the use of a future rendering program if you so choose. You'll learn how to implement an excellent texture plugin and how to properly map & edit materials within SketchUp.

To properly understand how to model the site at The Quest, you'll first learn the options available to you for creating site models. We start with the sandbox tools, which can create land mass from scratch or using contours. You'll also learn how to manipulate these land forms after they're created to suit your own projects.

An incredible feature of SketchUp is the ability to bring in accurate location maps, using their real-world landforms generated from mapping data. This option allows you to create accurate site models in a few clicks. To go a step further, we explain how to manipulate these imported models, best practice to work up your projects.

In this lesson we return to the subject project, The Quest, and block out the site with crude shapes to gain an initial understanding of level changes, slopes etc to streamline the overall modelling process.

We deploy the sandbox tools to create a convincing site model, complete with graded level changes, retaining walls and changes in material to plot out the project's garden, driveway and approach.

In this final modelling lesson, you'll learn how to use low-poly assets to populate the site, creating a backdrop, without blowing up your file size and slowing the model down. We add detailed textures to each surface, add a car to the driveway from 3D Warehouse and consider key views to take in the next chapter.

SketchUp itself is capable of creating beautiful graphics, drawings and diagrams, out of the box, without the aid of a rendering program. Here, you'll learn what SketchUp can do in this regard with an overview of exporting views, setting scenes, creating sections, using shadows in the correct way and the lesson is rounded off with an introduction to animations & scene transitions.

With a little help from Photoshop, in this lesson, you'll learn how to export layered graphics from SketchUp to create beautiful imagery from your SketchUp projects.

Other than exporting JPEGs/PNGs from your model you can export the 3d geometry into another program such as 3D Studio Max to go onto use rendering tools like Vray and Corona. You can also export a lossless PDF, and even to CAD to work up your projects into proper architectural drawings.

In the final lesson of the core series, you'll learn the potential of exporting to CAD and how SketchUp models can contribute to an architects overall drawing package by working up CAD exports into floor plans, diagrams and more.

Learn how to install & where to find the best plugins for SketchUp. Plus, we tell you our top 5 essential plugins for any SketchUp user.

Discover how to create smart components that can be edited at a click of a button, bringing a touch of BIM to your SketchUp models.

In this lesson we tell you our favourite websites for amazing 3d models and textures. You'll also learn how to import complex geometry into your SketchUp files without blowing your computer up!

Two brilliant pieces of kit that come shipped with SketchUp Pro. Learn how to turn your models into a full set of architectural drawings, fit for commercial projects. Plus, learn how to create your own unique style to make your SketchUp models your own.

Finally, we demonstrate how you can take your SketchUp models to the next level by introducing you to rendering programs such as Enscape, Twinmotion and Lumion.