How to Succeed at Sketchup - Square One

Today we're talking about learning SketchUp... in general. How do you learn in the best way? Where should you start?

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[mmurrell]

I'm hoping this will help support Aaron's message here. I have been using SU since V4 (maybe it was V5). However, SU accounts for a small percentage of my professional workflow. The reason is exactly as Aaron has pointed out, deadlines, time crunches, etc.. Thus, most of the time I am using my CAD software, which has been for 25+ years. My current CAD software has BIM baked into it; but don't get me started on BIM. That being said, one of the best ways I currently utilize SU is for figuring out complex roofs on houses. I keep the process simple; import a CAD floor plan with the minimal, necessary geometry and begin modeling. I keep the modeling simple and "try" not to get bogged down in superfluous details. Once the "roof works", I export 2D and bring it into my CAD file.

What I find interesting, is every time I do this, I realize or learn something new within SU. Either a new tool, or procedure / process. After dozens upon dozens of roof designs, I do not believe that I have done it the same way twice. Further, I also "force" myself to stick with the native tools. I have purchased various plug-ins in the past (cough BuildEdge), which all work great. But, I realized that I'm not really learning the software (SU).

Aaron is right-on-point.... Biting off a huge chunk can be a recipe for heartache. I know in my work, that when I get to the exterior elevations, which includes the roof design, that I "might" need to execute some SU modeling. I simply plan for it. And referencing my earlier comment, each time I design a new roof, it gets easier and easier. I've gone from spending a full day (+) on a 7, 500 SF house, to a hour, maybe two.

Finally, for personal stuff, all SU. I'm remodeling my office, and much like Aaron's example, it was all SU. This way I can push both the software and myself, without impacting a schedule, deadline or my wallet.

As usual, great stuff Aaron. Thanks!

[MartinMainguy]

Square One is a great idea and the playlist provides a very accessible and orderly path to master Sketchup. Particularly if you take the time to replicate each lesson by yourself on the side as you go along. I have watched, or should I say «studied» actively, all 78 videos of the playlist and this one is one of the most enlightning! Although I have found all videos very usefull and clear, the most important in learning, as you are saying, is giving yourself time to explore and a simple target to aim at, using one tool at the time... Thank you!

[keggyification]

Great advice Aaron, thanks for your continuing support and help with our Sketchup learning.

[brucesmith]

I have been in the commercial kitchen design space for a number of years. However SU has a more affordable 3D capability which I find exciting. I am practicing & learning now for future design options.

[charlesgwinter]

i'm reacquainting myself with sketchup. my big project i have developed some methods to be sucessful.

i'm drawing a house. i am using blocks to "reserve" the space to add details. ie i made a base block and grouped it. then each exterior wall i made as a block and grouped it. i'll do the same with the other elements.

then at my leisure i'll open the group up and start adding details.

all these elelements are on their own layer/tag too so there's easy editing

[bobd.]

Lately most of my SU projects have been geared toward supporting 3D printing. When creating something new from scratch I sometimes have trouble with how to go about replicating what I 'see' in my mind. Learning to think in SketchUp, meaning within the limits and breadth of its functions and features, and how I can best use those to model something has been helpful to me. Using the additive and subtractive functions for solids has saved me loads of time and frustration on some projects. Sometimes the process of modeling something is completely different than how one might build that same thing in real life. So for me forgetting how I would go about building a thing and approaching from a different direction has been useful at times.

[flippop]

I did the Trimble SketchUp online course here in Germany. It was very well produced and easy to follow and was producing architectural forms and models in no-time. However, I really wanted less 3-D and more a way of producing working, or fully dimensioned general arrangement drawings in 2-D. Sketchup didn’t give me this so I gave up with it.

[fbenkautz]

I have purchased and am learning Sketchup shop for modeling cabinets and furniture. Thanks for the encouragement to take time and practise.

[PeteCollingsArchitect]

Started using sketchup way back in 2001... "@ Last Software" Have used it ever since as it operates how I think about 3D form creation.

[williamgates]

Where can I get that SketchUp T-shirt?

[jstchile]

Aaron thank you so much for your help and your knowledge... I really enjoy viewing your videos, besides you are totally right: one step at a time... Keep up with the excellent work !

[ilion]

Great video, I'm just starting with Sketchup having used AutoCAD - it's super easy and I will take my time!

[islandjason]

I use SketchUp 2017 to create shop drawings for an aluminum furniture fab shop. What would the benefit be to upgrade to the latest version if what we use now is working?

[luisfe]

Please can you make video about those roofs and how to make the trusses for it please

[ArthurRainbow]

Eh, thanks for this series of video. I watched all the square one in 5 days. Very interesting.
Admittedly, I didn't follow your advice to take one step at a time, since I looked at everything immediately. But you'll have to admit that, this video being at the end of the series, it would be hard to follow it when we start.
If I can do a single request, for people like me who want to learn all the basic. It would be nice to have a single video version, with everything, EXCEPT the introductions/ends. I've seen 78 requests for comment, 78 time the opening and closing sound, 78 times where you presented yourself. I understand that all of those 78 videos should be welcoming for anyone who start with this very video. But, for someone that looks at everything, it gets repetitive. Plus, the sequences is already long, if it can save some time, I'd clearly appreciate it

[edymally]

Aaron, I enjoy and benefit from your videos a great deal but I still struggle with mastering all of the tools and techniques for Sketchup for iPad. Not being able to use of the functions particularly with the Apple Pen Tool is hindering my productivity. Is there some resource you can recommend like a training course particularly designed for Sketchup for iPad? Thanks in advance for your help. Edgar

[macmugah]

Well explained and understood thanks learning sketchup from Kenia

[rothkaneth]

First question pls how do I find a job when I learned?

[stump]

Would love to see a live modeling video on making buildings like your haunted house for 3d Printing.

[chrisb]

Yes!!! You are 100% right, that's the way to learn SU. By the way, nice big house