Drawing Exterior Walls in SketchUp - Skill Builder

There are many ways to draw exterior walls in SketchUp. This video highlights a few methods that you can use when drawing walls based on an imported image file of architectural drawings.

[kevindachille]

TNice tutorials is one of the best intro soft softs I've ever seen. The entire basic worksoftow with no B.S.!

[barrys.]

Through these instructional videos Aaron and Josh have reduced the learning curve in Sketchup and Layout. Thanks and please continue.

One of the reasons I started using Sketchup 5 years ago was due to the ease of creating sections in architecture that were accurate. In some ways, almost too accurate depending on what you are trying to communicate to the plans examiner and client(s).

Having said that, I have one pet peeve that is not exclusive to the Trimble videos but seems consistent with most of the YouTube tutorials with few exceptions. That is, they are rarely if ever structurally correct. Why does this matter? Walls do not display the components that are use to build them which means they do not conform to Building Code. Roofs do not have the proper elevation above the wall because the approach is wrong. I could (but won't) go on. This is why extensions like Profile Builder and Medeek products are so invaluable. These products are developed by professionals that make the elements and components display correctly and yet they are easily customized.

Thanks again to the guys at Trimble. You make it easier to use Sketchup and each edition continues to improve and well worth the price of a subscription. Just know a wall section that is a 5.5" rectangle with a face pulled to 8ft. that has a section cut through it is not a viable wall section in any jurisdiction that I know of.

[jansteffen]

You’re the best mate. Thanks for doing these super helpful vids!

[RedKingsLive]

Great video Aaron!!! Clean, precise, very explanatory, plus giving different ways of working about! Keep up the great job!

[bobd.]

Thanks, I know these vids are a couple years old but I am starting to learn Sketchup and your videos are very helpful. I like the way you explain and demonstrate everything.

[AdamPReed]

Great video Aaron. I knew already both of those methods. I find with your videos where I already know what you are doing it is the little things that I like to see. Push/Pull with the modifier key, I totally forgot that that was possible. And this shows my only Kryptonite to SketchUp. There are soooo many things to know that I forget a lot of them if I don't constantly use them. So I started a cheat sheet. Which is good, if I remember I have the cheat sheet. LOL

[madwani]

Great Vid Aaron. I really liked the second way and immediately thought of a little modification to it. Drawing two surfaces 6" (wall thickness) X9' (wall height) along the green & the red axes making each surface as a separate group. Then copy the surface to its respective location on the drawing and push pull it to the desired length. Repeat for next segment of wall & continue to finish all walls. Then move in to interior walls the same way.

However, my conventional way I used to follow is doing all walls exterior and interior using guidelines. Then drawing on them using line command.

[chrisb]

Aaron, thank you. You guys are doing a great

[Z-add]

It's high time for sketchup to have a wall tool.

[Fry_Plantain]

This video was really helpful, the second way seemed much easier and quicker. When I'm doing models I tend to also just lift them from the surface. Keep up the great work bro.

[richardvankesteren]

I prefer the first method, although I use guides all the time wherever possible.
I learned to draw in Parallel Projection so that you are sure all the lines are on the same level. And I make a Plan 2D layer for the line drawings. For extrusion into 3D I copy the walls on a new layer.

[mikepenny]

Another tip writing from an 'old' architect (me) is to add up all the individual dimensions across a frontage and then use the total as a means of scaling. That way you avoid cumulative errors. This method is normal when out surveying in the field - always do running dimensions!

[ericbarritt]

Great, I'm glad Sketchup has layers and groups.

[chabbishreels]

dedication to what you want to acNice tutorialeve in life! Stay safe and be wise! Much love! <3

[JoseBronzed]

One tip, if you change the color of the lines (on styles / edit / edges - I use red), it helps a lot wen drawing over the images.

[carloscarneiro]

Thanks Aaron! would like to ask the kindness of producing a video about inserting ifc classes into the elements of the project. what better way to do it?

[GontherMO]

even though your videos are large, are useful and entretaining. congrats.

[jeffcooper]

Great video., especially showing the different options, particularly the one on building the individual walls. The latter was really useful as I’m planning some structural changes for my home which I’m modelling from plans that I have.

[dgb]

Wow I’m learning so much here thankyou so much Mate

[erichglasl]

How do you show a wall made up of SIP panels, say 6 ft wide which needs a window installed over 3SIP panels?