Introduction to SketchUp - Live online training

Armada

• Course outline - download

This two-day course covers the following sessions:

Getting Started

• The SketchUp interface and workspace
• Selecting toolbars

Navigation and Essential Tools

• Orbit, Pan, Zoom
• Understanding the X, Y, Z axes
• Choosing templates
• Selection techniques – selecting edges, faces and entities

Drawing and Geometry

• Using the pencil tool
• Drawing lines, arcs, rectangles, circles and polygons
• Taking measurements
• Sticky geometry
• Using shortcuts
• Information and database

Building a 3D Model

• Moving, rotating, scaling and offsetting objects
• Understanding faces and edges
• Hidden Endpoints
• Locking movement along axes
• Best practices for clean geometry
• Moving and move/copy
• Simple array techniques
• Rotating objects
• Rotate/copy
• Scale techniques
• Using Push Pull
• Using Follow Me
• Intersecting geometry
• Tags
• Outliner for model organisation

Working with Components and Groups

• Difference between components and groups
• Creating, editing, replacing and mirroring components
• Using the component browser
• Grouping objects

Materials and Textures

• Material browser
• Painting faces, groups and components
• Applying Materials to Objects
• Editing scale and opacity
• Importing custom textures
• Editing materials
• Textures and bitmaps
• Working in the Materials Editor
• What makes a good texture?
• Where to find textures
• Positioning textures

Using 3D Warehouse

• Searching and downloading models
• Best practices for lightweight components
• Purging unused items

Styles

• Create and editing styles
• Edges, colours, shadows
• Creating sketchy and technical visual styles

Scenes and Animation

• Create new scenes
• Managing scene properties
• Setting camera views
• Creating simple animations
• Dimensions
• Using the walkthrough and look-around camera tools
• Sunshine and shadows

LayOut Overview

• Sending a SketchUp model to LayOut
• Creating scaled 2D viewports
• Dimensioning and annotations
• Export options

Exporting and Sharing

• Exporting images and PDFs
• Model optimisation
• File formats: SKP, DWG, PNG, JPG

Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts

• Efficient modelling techniques
• Using keyboard shortcuts for faster work
• Addressing common mistakes and challenges

AI in Sketchup

• Overview of AI-related/generative AI features available in SketchUp
• Diffusion: AI-assisted imagery
• Generate Textures: AI-assisted material editing

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to begin designing and producing visualisations using SketchUp running on a Windows computer or a Mac.

The techniques taught are relevant whatever you’re going to be using SketchUp for. People attend this course to learn SketchUp for interior design, architecture, landscaping and many more purposes.

No prior CAD knowledge is necessary.

Delegates must have access to a Windows PC, or a Mac, to use throughout the course. If delegates do not have SketchUp installed on their computer, Armada can provide delegates details of free trial software to download prior to their course commencing.

A stable internet connection and a webcam are also essential.

SketchUp skills are in demand.

Depending on the specific role and experience, salaries start at £20k, and can rise to £50k+.