Sketchup Tutorials for Intro to Design

Lesson 1 - Introduction Panel | Lesson 2 - Navigating and Lines | Lesson 3 - Basic Shapes, Pull Tool & Offsetting

Lesson 4 - Construction Guides, Move/Copy | Lesson 5 - Doors/Windows & Angular Construction Guides

Advanced 1 - Finished Surfaces & Section Planes | Advanced 2 - Follow-Me! | Advanced 3 - Walkthrough

SketchUp is a 3D modeling program marketed by Google (now Trimble) and designed for architectural, civil, and mechanical engineers as well as filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. The program, which is designed for ease of use, allows placement of models within Google Earth.

Why do we use Sketchup? Simply because it is a fantastic transition between the traditional product/idea sketches and "true CAD". There are many realms of technology (and art) that use Sketchup to finalize concepts before moving on to the specific design and implementation phase.

Here at SCHS we use Sketchup in both our Engineering, Exploring Technology and Design programs. The video lessons off of Google are fantastic, but I've found a few tips and tricks along the way that help to clarify some common mistakes.

We have installers for the pro version of sketchup which is preferable, but many of the skills are transferable to the online (cloud) version of the program.