SketchUp is a 3D modeling program used by carpenters, furniture makers, architects and urban planners/landscape designers for developing complex shapes with intuitive tools that do not hinder creative thought processes. Urban planners/landscape designers often employ it for modeling buildings/roads/sidewalks/other elements of an environment; one major benefit of SketchUp is its free 3D Warehouse where manufacturers upload complete catalogs of their products that users can then explore by downloading or exploring directly within SketchUp.
SketchUp also boasts the capability of geo-referencing a model and exporting it directly into Google Earth, enabling its visualization in its natural setting. This helps plan dimensions for structures, locate utilities and services ahead of time and streamline permitting and approvals processes.
SketchUp’s interface is extremely user-friendly and straightforward to learn, with each tool clearly labeled and organized according to function. If you need something specific, all it takes to find it is clicking its icon or searching in the menu bar.
There are various keyboard shortcuts that make working with SketchUp faster, including:
Hide Rest of Model (Shift+M): With this display command, SketchUp only shows what has been selected. By turning everything else off, this makes editing parts of your model simpler without accidentally selecting more than you meant to select. SketchUp becomes much faster and responsive when using this option.
Select Tool (V): This tool, located on the first toolbar, appears as a black mouse cursor when active. It allows you to select objects within your model so you can move, scale, and rotate them easily. To select single objects using this method, either click its icon in the toolbar or use control keys with drag to activate and drag around them; to select multiple objects using Ctrl key while clicking icons/control keys allows combining and subtracting your selection simultaneously.
SketchUp Pro’s additional features provide additional ways for you to be more productive, including the ability to import point cloud data directly from the real world and add textures that accurately replicate what you see when viewing an actual project. Furthermore, its extension support means you can expand its capabilities further using third-party plugins or software that work within its environment.
“Architectural Design with SketchUp”, now in its second edition, covers all the essential tools and techniques every user should master to effectively utilize SketchUp. Packed with step-by-step instructions and full-color illustrations, this guide covers everything from basic SketchUp modeling to advanced workflows such as point cloud modeling and digital fabrication – giving readers confidence in taking on new projects on their own. Available everywhere books are sold and via Wiley in digital book format, “Architectural Design with SketchUp” provides readers with a solid foundation in using its core features – while equipping readers with confidence in taking on new projects on their own! Available wherever books are sold or from Wiley in electronic book form via Wiley.