SketchUp - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ FULL GUIDE ]
Summary
TLDRThis tutorial introduces Trimble SketchUp, a versatile CAD tool for creating precise and quick drawings with a user-friendly interface. It covers SketchUp Free, the accessible online version for beginners, and highlights the possibility to upgrade to more professional versions like SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio. The video guides viewers through the basics, including drawing tools, 3D modeling, text, and visual aids. It also covers editing and manipulating objects, applying materials, and saving projects. The tutorial concludes with creating presentations and animations, encouraging viewers to explore more resources on CAD design.
Takeaways
- 🎨 Trimble SketchUp is a versatile CAD tool suitable for both beginners and professionals, offering a user-friendly interface for creating accurate CAD drawings.
- 🆓 SketchUp Free is the free, online version accessible to all, with the option to upgrade to SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio for more advanced features and capabilities.
- 🔍 The core principles of SketchUp are consistent across all versions, ensuring a seamless learning curve for users moving between different versions.
- 🔑 Accessing SketchUp Free requires a Trimble Account, and the main interface includes options to start new projects or open existing ones in .skp format.
- 📐 The workspace features a toolbar with various editing tools, and a preview with a human figure for scale and three main axes representing width, depth, and height.
- ✏️ Drawing tools like Line and Freehand allow for precise and free-form drawing, with options to set segment lengths and adjust measurement units.
- 📏 Visual aids such as colored segments and snapping features assist with accurate positioning and alignment of objects in the workspace.
- 🛠️ The Push/Pull tool is essential for creating 3D objects by extruding 2D shapes, while the Follow Me tool can build complex 3D forms along a path.
- 🔍 The 3D Warehouse panel provides access to pre-made 3D models, which can be downloaded and imported into projects for added detail and realism.
- 📐 Tools like Tape Measure, Dimensions, and Text allow for precise measurement of distances, coordinates, and areas within the project.
- ✂️ Editing tools such as Move, Rotate, and Scale enable manipulation of objects and model subcomponents, while the Offset tool creates contours at a fixed distance.
- 🎨 Materials can be applied to 2D fillings and 3D models for enhanced realism, with options to browse and download additional materials from the 3D Warehouse website.
- 💾 SketchUp Free projects are saved as .skp files with cloud storage up to 10GB, and the platform also supports creating visual presentations with the Styles and Scenes panels.
Q & A
What is Trimble SketchUp and what does it offer?
-Trimble SketchUp is a professional CAD tool that enables users to create quick and accurate CAD drawings with a user-friendly interface. It offers different versions like SketchUp Free for beginners, and SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio for professionals through subscription plans.
How can one access SketchUp Free?
-To access SketchUp Free, users need to log in with a Trimble Account. Once logged in, the main Home page will open up with options to start a new project or open an existing one in .skp file format.
What are the main axes in SketchUp and what do they represent?
-The main axes in SketchUp are red, green, and blue. The red axis indicates width, the green axis represents depth, and together they form the ground plane. The blue axis measures the height from this ground plane.
How can I set the length of a line segment in SketchUp?
-To set the length of a line segment, enable the Line tool and click on the preview to drop consecutive line segments. The length can be set with the cursor or by typing a specific value in the bottom right corner and applying it with the Enter key.
How can I change the measurement units in SketchUp?
-To change the measurement units, open the Model Info panel on the right and select the appropriate units for length and angles, as well as their precision.
What is the default action to finish drawing a shape in SketchUp?
-To finish drawing a shape, simply press the Escape key or close the shape by connecting the last point to the starting point, which will automatically fill the shape.
How can I use the 3D Text tool in SketchUp?
-To use the 3D Text tool, enable it and type the desired content in the field on top. Set the font family, style, and size as Height. Add fill and set extrusion depth, then click OK to place the piece of text.
What are visual aids in SketchUp and how do they assist in drawing?
-Visual aids in SketchUp include colored segments according to the axis they are parallel to, and shapes getting the same color of the axis they are perpendicular to. Snappings assist in positioning the cursor with colored circles for endpoints, centers, and vertices, and squares for points along paths and sides. Dotted guidelines help draw along perpendicular directions, intersections, or side extensions.
How can I create a 3D object in SketchUp?
-The Push/Pull tool can be used to create a 3D object by adding extrusion to a 2D object with fill. Select the object and drag it as needed. This tool also works on 3D faces as long as they are not curved.
What is the purpose of the Follow Me tool in SketchUp?
-The Follow Me tool is used to build 3D conductors. Select a 2D section and then a 2D path perpendicular to it, following its direction as needed.
How can I manage and edit 2D and 3D objects in SketchUp?
-Enable the Select tool to select objects or model subcomponents. Once selected, you can edit them using tools like Move, Rotate, and Scale. You can also group objects for easier selection and editing, and ungroup them with the Explode function.
How can I apply materials to my 2D fillings and 3D models in SketchUp?
-Open the Entity Info panel on the right and click under Material to browse through a range of materials including metal, grass, brick, asphalt, and more. You can also choose a Back Material for the backside of the object.
How do I save my project in SketchUp Free?
-To save your project, click on the Save button in the top left corner. The project will be saved as an .skp file that can be reopened from your Trimble account. With the free plan, you have up to 10GB of cloud storage.
What features does SketchUp Free offer for creating visual presentations?
-SketchUp Free allows you to create visual presentations by opening the Styles panel to change the preview type and the Scenes panel to create animations with different viewpoints. You can save each viewpoint and create a smooth transition between scenes.
Outlines
📐 Introduction to SketchUp Free Basics
This paragraph introduces Trimble SketchUp as a professional CAD tool with a user-friendly interface, suitable for creating quick and accurate CAD drawings. It focuses on SketchUp Free, the free and online version for beginners and amateurs, and mentions the possibility of upgrading to SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio for professional use. The paragraph explains how to access SketchUp Free, navigate the main Home page, and start a new project. It describes the main workspace layout, including the toolbar, panels, and the three main axes for width, depth, and height. The Line tool is highlighted for drawing, with instructions on setting segment lengths and changing measurement units. The paragraph also covers how to finish drawing, use the Freehand tool, and drop arcs with various Arc tools.
🎨 SketchUp's Drawing and 3D Modeling Tools
This section delves into SketchUp's drawing tools, explaining how to create regular shapes like rectangles, circles, and polygons, and how to change planes using arrow keys. It discusses the use of visual aids such as colored segments and snappings to assist with positioning. The paragraph introduces the Push/Pull tool for creating 3D objects by extruding 2D shapes and the Follow Me tool for building 3D conductors. It also mentions the ability to import pre-made 3D models from the 3D Warehouse. The paragraph covers navigation tools like Pan and Orbit, as well as measurement tools like Tape Measure, Dimensions, and Text for calculating areas. It also explains how to edit 2D and 3D objects using the Select, Move, and Rotate tools, and the process of creating groups and exploding them for individual editing.
🖌️ Editing, Material Application, and Presentation in SketchUp
The final paragraph discusses advanced editing tools like the Scale and Offset tools, and how to manipulate objects using keyboard shortcuts for cut, copy, and paste. It covers the application of materials to 2D fillings and 3D models for realism, with options to choose from a range of materials or download more from the 3D Warehouse. The paragraph also explains how to save projects as .skp files with cloud storage limitations for the free plan. It concludes with information on creating visual presentations using the Styles and Scenes panels to change preview types and create animations with different viewpoints, encouraging viewers to visit SketchUp's YouTube channel and official website for more CAD design knowledge and free business solutions.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Trimble SketchUp
💡SketchUp Free
💡Toolbar
💡Axes
💡Push/Pull Tool
💡3D Text
💡Visual Aids
💡Components Panel
💡Tape Measure Tool
💡Materials
💡Save
Highlights
Introduction to Trimble SketchUp, a professional CAD tool for creating quick and accurate CAD drawings with a user-friendly interface.
Tutorial covers basics of SketchUp Free, the free and online version for beginners and amateurs.
Option to upgrade to SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio for professional projects through a subscription plan.
Core fundamentals of SketchUp are consistent across all versions.
Accessing SketchUp Free requires logging in with a Trimble Account.
Home page offers options to start new projects or open existing ones in .skp format.
Toolbar on the left provides various editing tools for drawing and editing.
Panels on the right offer additional options and settings for drawings.
Project preview includes a human figure for scale and three main axes for orientation.
Line tool allows for drawing consecutive line segments with customizable length.
Model Info panel used to adjust measurement units and precision.
Freehand tool for drawing freehand shapes with zoom capabilities for accuracy.
Arc tools for creating arcs in different manners.
Visual aids and snapping features enhance the drawing experience.
3D Text tool for adding text with customizable font and extrusion depth.
Push/Pull tool for creating 3D objects by extruding 2D shapes.
Follow Me tool for building 3D conductors along a path.
3D Warehouse panel for browsing and importing pre-made 3D models.
Pan and Orbit tools for navigating the workspace and viewing the model in 3D.
Tape Measure and Dimensions tools for precise measurements of length and area.
Select tool for selecting and editing 2D and 3D objects.
Move, Rotate, and Scale tools for manipulating object positions and sizes.
Offset tool for creating contours at a fixed distance from the original object.
Cutting, copying, and pasting objects for quick editing and removal.
Applying materials to 2D fillings and 3D models for realism.
Entity Info panel for accessing a range of materials and applying them to objects.
Saving projects in .skp format with up to 10GB of cloud storage on the free plan.
Styles and Scenes panels for creating visual presentations and animations.
Encouragement to visit the YouTube channel and official website for more CAD design resources.
Transcripts
Dear all, welcome to this tutorial dedicated to Trimble SketchUp, a
fantastic and professional CAD tool that allows you to create quick and
accurate CAD drawings in a very user-friendly interface.
In just 13 minutes we will cover all the basics on SketchUp Free, the
free and online version of SketchUp for beginners and amateurs. For
professional projects you may upgrade to SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio
through a subscription plan which also includes access to the desktop
version. The core fundamentals of SketchUp remain the same across all these
versions.
You can access SketchUp Free by logging in with a Trimble Account. Once
done the main Home page will open up with various options. You can either
start from your most recent projects or go to Open to browse for an
existing project in .skp file format. Alternatively, you can choose Create
new or Start modeling to begin a new project. This opens on the main
workspace.
On the left side, you get the toolbar with several editing tools to draw
and edit. On the right several panels with additional options and settings
to support your drawings.
In the center you'll see a preview of your project with a human figure as a
reference, along with three main axes. The red axis indicates width and the
green axis represents depth, together forming the ground plane. The blue
axis measures the height from such ground plane.
To start drawing, simply enable any drawing tool from the toolbar first.
If you enable the Line tool you can click on the preview to drop
consecutive line segments. You can set the length of each segment with your
cursor or by typing a specific value in the bottom right corner, applying
with the Enter key.
If the default measurement unit is not correct, open the Model Info panel
on the right and select the right units for length and angles, as well as
their precision.
To finish drawing simply press the Escape key or close the shape by
connecting the last point to the starting point. In this case the shape
gets filled automatically.
Enable the Freehand tool to draw freehand by clicking and dragging on the
preview. Use your mouse wheel to zoom in and draw with more accuracy.
To drop arcs you have several Arc tools, each drawing in a different
manner.
You can get tips on how to use any drawing tool from the Instructor panel.
You can also drop regular shapes with the Rectangle, the Circle and the
Polygon tools by dropping two points on the preview. By default, these
shapes lay on the ground plane unless you press the left or the right arrow
keys to change the plane.
You can undo any drawing in progress with the Escape key. Whereas use CTRL
(or CMD) and Z to undo actions made.
To drop 2D or 3D text enable the 3D Text tool and type the desired content
in the field on top. Set font family, style, and size as Height. You can
also add fill and set extrusion depth and then go to OK to place the piece
of text. To drop 2D text without any extrusion simply uncheck its option.
SketchUp includes several visual aids to enhance your drawing experience.
For example while drawing segments, these get colored according to the axis
they are parallel to. Similarly, shapes get the same color of the axis they
are perpendicular to.
In addition snappings can assist you in positioning your cursor. Colored
circles represent endpoints, centers, and vertices of objects, while
squares indicate points along paths and sides. Rhombuses appear on faces
and fill areas.
Besides these points, dotted guidelines appear to draw along perpendicular
directions, intersections or side extensions. Make sure to open the
Display panel to hide or show axes, objects or even enable or disable
visual effects like shadows and fog. From the Model Info section, you can
manage the snapping options as you need most.
Now let's see how to draw in 3D! The Push/Pull tool builds a 3D object by
adding extrusion to a 2D object with fill. Just select the object and drag
it as you need. This tool also works on 3D faces as long as they are not
curved.
You can also build 3D conductors with the Follow Me tool. Select a 2D
section and then a 2D path perpendicular to it, following its direction as
you need.
For more complex 3D objects, you can use the Line and the other tools by
drawing each face one by one.
You can also open the 3D Warehouse panel to browse for pre-made 3D models
from the SketchUp Lab. Simply download the 3D object and click on the
preview to import it. 3D models and text get listed in the Components
panel.
To manage the preview you can enable the Pan tool to pan around the
workspace and the Orbit tool to rotate your model in 3D freely. You can
also open the Scenes panel to get a perspective view.
SketchUp provides further tools to measure length and area precisely.
Enable Tape Measure to measure distances or get point coordinates if you
hold over these, with respect to the project origin. Use the Dimensions
tool to leave quick annotations on length and the Text tool to calculate
area from fill and faces.
Now let's see how to edit 2D and 3D objects. Enable the Select tool and
click on any object to select it, whether it is a segment or a model
subcomponent such as any side or face. You can deselect by clicking
elsewhere.
Once the object is selected you can edit it as you need. Use the Move tool
to move objects or model subcomponents. In this case you also edit the
entire model shape.
To move an entire model without distorting it you may select it entirely by
clicking and dragging from right to left and including the model within the
selection area. The same rectangular selection can be used to select
multiple objects and edit them together.
You can also right-click on these subcomponents and go to Make Group so
that you select all of these with one click without continuous selections.
You can always ungroup these with Explode.
Text and pre-made 3D models usually come grouped, so that you can move and
edit these as entities. As custom groups, you can explode them to edit
their individual components or letters.
Besides the Move tool you can enable the Rotate tool and fix an anchor
point and then the angle of rotation. By default, this rotates the object
on the ground plane, shown by a blue goniometer. You can change the axis of
reference with the arrow keys.
With the Scale tool you resize objects by clicking and dragging on the
cubes along the X, Y, or Z axis. Whereas with the Offset tool you can add a
2D contour at a fixed distance from the original object perimeter.
You can cut, copy and paste selected objects with CTRL (or CMD) and X, C
and V. You can cut any object to remove it quickly from your project.
You can also apply materials to make your 2D fillings and 3D models even
more realistic. Just open the Entity Info panel on the right and click
under Material to browse through a diverse range of these including metal,
grass, brick, asphalt, and many more. You can also choose another as Back
Material which will be applied to the backside of the object, usually on a
darker grey color by default. When objects are grouped, materials are
applied on them entirely!
If you're looking for additional materials, you can visit the 3D Warehouse
website from your browser. When selecting any model, you can browse for any
of its materials to download. Then import the .skm material file by
dragging and dropping it onto SketchUp and expand your material library.
To save your project click on the Save button in the top left corner. This
is an .skp file that you can reopen any time from your Trimble account. With
the free plan you will have up to 10GB of cloud storage.
SketchUp Free also allows you to make great visual presentations of your
models. Open the Styles panel to change the preview type by selecting the
best style for your needs.
Switch to the Scenes panel to create animations with your model. Set the
desired point of view and save it with the plus button. By repeating this
process with different viewpoints, you can create a smooth transition from
one scene to another with as many scenes as you need.
Thank you very much for watching this video! Do not forget to visit our
YouTube channel and our official website to learn more about CAD design and
free solutions for your business!
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