Use SketchUp

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SketchUp is a great product. If you want to know how to use it, here is a step-by-step manual about using this software.

Steps

  1. Begin by downloading a free copy of the software. Once it has been downloaded, open the .EXE file
  2. Follow the instructions. Depending on your computer type, these instructions for installation may vary so read closely.
  3. Open the program. You'll see there is a set of three axes provided immediately, so you get the 3D feel at the outset. Have a look at the tools available. There is a Line tool, a Circle tool and a Polygon tool. Each of these presents you with various possible options to create your desired shapes.
  4. Get to know a few basics to help you navigate around the program:
    • The first thing you have to know about SketchUp is that it has 10 simple tools that are all useful for making a model. The first groups of tools are the orbit, pan, and zoom tools. These are used for you to move around and get different views of your subject and are briefly explained in this overview article.
    • To move the whole viewing screen, push the centre mouse button and hold down the Shift key on your keyboard.
    • To delete, click the arrow button on the toolbar; when something is selected to delete it will turn blue. Hit the delete key on your keyboard.
    • To save something, click on "file" (in the upper left corner) then click on "Save As". Choose where to save the file. Type the name of your file and click on Save. The file will be saved as a .SKP file
  5. Draw some lines. The line tool is selected by default when you first open SketchUp. Obviously, this is for drawing lines. Give it a try to see what you can create and just to get a feel for the lines but be aware they're one-dimensional so you won't be able to snap to axes, etc.
    • See Be Precise when Using SketchUp Drawing Tools.
  6. Draw some shapes. Beyond lines, you can draw two-dimensional shapes using the tools for shapes. Draw some rectangles, circles and polygons just to try them out. All you need to do is to click on the corresponding tool.
  7. Move to creating three-dimensional objects. The way that you do this is by "pushing" or "pulling" a 2D shape into a 3D shape. Use the Push/Pull tool over the 2D shapes you've created and start seeing what happens.
    • Select the Push/Pull tool:
    • Press the mouse button on the shape you want to push or pull into three-dimensional form.
    • Click then push or pull the shape as desired. Click again.
    • Enlarge the object as much as wanted. Add more structure.
    • Play around with adding holes, windows or other elements by cutting out shapes within the 3D shape.
  8. Learn to use panning and orbiting. The need to see the created objects from different perspectives is an important part of any 3D program and SketchUp allows for this. The pan tool lets you move the drawing left or right and up or down. It also allows you to do a combination of these actions. The orbit tool allows you to orbit around the object you've created. This changing perspective can let you see the entire object from any angle.
    • Use the centre scroll button on your mouse to orbit around your image. You can also orbit by clicking the 'Orbit' button on the top toolbar (it has two red arrows on it).
  9. Move and rotate objects. This is self-evident but is clearly useful as it lets you change the position of any objects you've created. Have a try using the Move and Rotate tools to see if you can move the objects around to a different position.
    • see Use the Rotate Tool in SketchUp and Flip an Object Using SketchUp for more details.
  10. Colour or paint the object. When a shape has been completed it will turn a different colour, usually a grey-blue. Shapes must be completed to colour them in. Using the Paint tool, the objects can be painted in solid colours or in textures. With the textures, SketchUp will align the textures to the surfaces for you, making it a fun and useful experience.
    • To add colour, click on the paint bucket. Choose one of the categories such as Ground Cover or Named-Colours. Select a colour/texture and then click the area of the shape that you would like to shade in.
    • To make windows, go to Translucent.
    • Use the eraser to take away any unwanted edges.
    • See How to add custom textures to SketchUp for more details.
  11. Learn the zooming ability. This tool lets you zoom in and out on the shapes you're creating. Use the Zoom tool to show more detail. If you have a mouse wheel, you'll discover that scrolling one way will zoom in and scrolling the other will zoom out.
  12. Check out the pre-built models in SketchUp. There are dozens of these available to you and if there is one to suit your needs, it'll stop you from having to reinvent it. The 3D warehouse offers objects in the areas of architecture, landscape, construction, people, a playground, and transportation. It's a good idea to look through the component library to see if it has objects you'd like to play around with.
  13. Learn to use construction guides. SketchUp enables you to position construction guides anywhere within a drawing. Once there, they can be used to align the object. These are the dotted lines and they make it easier to line up objects.
  14. Learn about the more advanced tools on SketchUp once you're comfortable with the standard tools outlined above. The more advanced tools in SketchUp are the resizing tool, the uniform tool, the curve tool, the follow me tool, the text tool, the angle tool, and the measuring tape tool.
    • The resizing tool: This is used by selecting an object, and dragging the little boxes on the corners and faces to make it any size you want, including wide, tall, short or squat.
    • The follow-me tool: This allows you to move an object along a specified path, thereby creating a new object. To learn more, see the articles in the SketchUp Follow Me Tool.
    • The uniform tool: If clicked on a face, this will make another face just like the one you click. You can make the face smaller or bigger, depending on how far you drag the cursor.
    • The curve tool: This is used just like the line tool except if you create a line and drag it to the side, it will create a curved line.
    • The text tool: This will allow you to add text to your model by putting it on a face.
    • The angle tool will allow you to rotate an object by clicking on a face and pivoting your cursor.
    • The measuring tape tool: This can be used to measure an object, and create even sections by typing it in the measurement box on the bottom right side of your screen.
  15. Try building something in SketchUp. wikiHow has many tutorials to help you create buildings, structures and more; here are just some examples for you to try:

Tips

  • There is a face tool that will create a simple face (side or surface of the shape). Use the line tool to fill in damaged faces.
  • You can import pictures from Google Earth and draw on them. See Set up a Photo in SketchUp Photo Match for some photo help and How to make a Google Earth building in SketchUp for a Google Earth SketchUp tutorial.

Warnings

  • Sometimes deleting one line from your 3D model can erase an entire face; don't panic, and simply click "Edit - undo or hold CTRL key and tap Z".
  • Sometimes when you make an object, it looks proportionate from the front or side but when you orbit it will become quite distorted.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • SketchUp
  • 3-button mouse (with centre scroll button) is best for orbiting
  • Internet connection (to download SketchUp)
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