Best SketchUp Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

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What is SketchUp?

In the past, architects, building planners, manufacturers, drafters, and other design professionals used paper and pencil to craft detailed documents for their projects. However, digital software has taken over the market almost entirely, giving these experts the unprecedented ability to produce extraordinary designs. 3D modeling tools like Trimble’s SketchUp program give design experts the ability to create eye-catching and appealing looks.

Released in 2000 to capitalize on the ever-increasing need for high-quality design software, SketchUp transformed the industry and remains a leader in the market. Its most recent version, 22.0.1, released in 2019, is available on Windows and macOS operating systems in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Brazillian. Users can learn on a free model or upgrade to a Pro subscription to improve functionality.

Design experts all across the nation can quickly master this program by taking high-quality online bootcamps and courses. These classes, available in most major cities, offer detailed instruction emphasizing SketchUp’s unique UI, powerful apps, broad scope, and 3D modeling tools. Mastering it helps designers not only use it in their day-to-day work but also make it simpler to transition to other software suites, such as Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD.

What Can You Do with SketchUp Training?

There are many reasons why people learn SketchUp, most of them connected with career preparation. However, there are far more things that learners can do with this program! In fact, SketchUp bootcamps are so affordable and effective that people often sign up for one simply to enhance their personal skills. When mastered efficiently, individuals can use this powerful and beneficial software in a variety of powerful ways. For example, they can easily:

Produce 3D Models: Anyone interested in three-dimensional artwork needs to understand SketchUp’s powerful design tools. This software lets them create intricate art quickly, including surprisingly detailed animation. They can then use these models in personal projects, such as films, marketing campaigns, or websites.
Get Into 3D Printing: Over the last few decades, 3D printing has become an in-demand skill and a unique way to save money and produce fascinating work. For example, 3D printers could make personal projects, like furniture or detailed machinery, for personal or commercial use. SketchUp offers modeling and design possibilities for 3D printing.
Become More Creative: Some people can create great art in every medium and may find SketchUp a powerful way to expand their abilities. For example, visual designers may use it to move beyond two-dimensional design into a three-dimensional world. Others may use it to improve personal projects, like games or digital books.
Earn a Little Money: Skilled SketchUp artists can easily start making nice side hustle income after mastering this software. For example, they could moonlight as web developers, create videos for family events (like weddings), or even freelance with multiple companies on the side to save towards their early retirement.

In these ways, earning a SketchUp certification or certificate is an advantageous experience for most people. While it definitely benefits individuals with high creativity levels, even those with no design experience might find SketchUp a powerful tool to learn. Thankfully, there are many foundational lessons that they’ll learn in each course that will improve their abilities, challenge their skills, and make it easier to jump into SketchUp usage quickly and efficiently.

What Will I Learn in a SketchUp Class?

Anyone interested in studying this topic should not only know what they’re going to cover but also how SketchUp stacks up compared to similar subjects. While more involved studies into programming and design may help individuals thrive in SketchUp courses, these programs cover broad and comprehensive topics to make learning much easier. Mastering the following abilities in a high-quality SketchUp course will ensure graduates walk away ready to work.

Shape Production

Every advanced 3D design ever produced on SketchUp comprises smaller shapes, such as circles, triangles, cones, tubes, squares, and cubes. As a result, most learners start their SketchUp training by mastering this program’s UI to produce attractive and appealing shapes for their projects. Thankfully, SketchUp’s interface includes a pretty user-friendly design, so it shouldn’t be too hard for most users to master these critical foundational techniques.

Design Concepts

People learning SketchUp should have a strong background in various types of design concepts, such as architecture, animation, and interior decoration. Even if they don’t, most courses cover fundamental theories and practical concepts to make mastering this software more effortless. For example, learners will study how to attract the eye, ways to draw it down the page, and methods for balancing color, textures, and shadows to produce unforgettable work.

3D Modeling

While knowing how to produce two-dimensional shapes will take learners a long way toward better SketchUp mastery, the result should always be 3D modeling. This powerful tool can produce accurate and high-quality models that highlight a project’s overall design and make it more appealing and attractive. In their SketchUp bootcamps, learners will practice these concepts to sharpen their skills and create the kind of intricate work that their clients deserve.

Animation

SketchUp is a valuable tool for 3D animation thanks to its ability to produce attractive and engaging three-dimensional models quickly and efficiently. For example, animators may create their models first in SketchUp before integrating them into specialized software. However, SketchUp also has some pretty solid animation capability, though not as extensive as some programs. That said, it’s powerful enough for advertisements, web content, and ebooks.

Texturing

While producing intricate and detailed 3D models is definitely a rewarding process, they need a little more work to truly shine. That’s where texturing and detailing come into play. These processes help designers add more attractive styles to their projects, including patterns, shadows, and other eye-catching elements. Mastering textures requires a lot of hard work and dedication but is more than worth it for people who are serious about mastering SketchUp.

Project Management

Most people who learn SketchUp transition into various design-related fields or even become project managers of some type. As a result, they may learn basic management skills in their bootcamps that help them tackle the day-to-day tasks involved in their projects. They might even find better and more rewarding jobs, including leading tasks, managing multiple SketchUp designers, or even starting a high-earning business after they complete their training.

How Hard is it to Learn SketchUp?

SketchUp is surprisingly easy to understand for most people. Its control interface is well-designed, user-friendly, and not complex. As a result, many feel comfortable utilizing this software’s essential functions in a few hours or even days. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re skilled enough to handle it professionally. Like any software tool, they must understand critical foundational techniques and ideas such as design theories and practical use steps.

What are the most challenging parts of learning SketchUp?

When learning SketchUp, most people struggle to understand the basic design concepts they must use when handling this software. Put simply, people who’ve never studied things like architecture, interior design, and other fields might not know how to use essential theories and ideas in their projects. Thankfully, most courses provide some base education on these ideas, though learners should probably still study them on their own to become more skilled.

How Long Does it Take to Learn SketchUp?

While most people should learn SketchUp’s basic operation in a few hours or days, mastering expert-level comprehension could take six months. Why? Just think about the differences between foundational concepts and mastery. For example, people who can write basic sentences without difficulty aren’t necessarily skilled writers. The same holds true for SketchUp. Simply knowing how to use it is good, but true expertise will take lots of practice and hard work.

Should I Learn SketchUp In Person or Online?

No matter where students live, they’re probably asking themselves this question: “Is in-person or online learning better?” Class format matters. For example, in-person courses provide a live professor, an immersive environment, study tools, and interaction with students from all walks of life. That makes them a very tempting option for many people. However, individuals in smaller cities or even rural communities may have few or even no SketchUp programs close to them.

In this situation, online SketchUp classes can help students study this software and master its many elements. Live virtual programs include real-time education from a skilled professor, reasonable expenses, 1-on-1 mentoring, and the chance to interact with fellow students. While learners must attend at specific times, the detailed curriculum and intensive educational opportunities these courses provide make them a smart option for many students to try.

Those who would rather learn at their own pace can take asynchronous programs to boost their abilities and walk away happy with their education. These classes include multiple videos, detailed exercises, forums where learners can post, and quizzes that test their abilities. While students will miss out on personalized interaction with their professors, they can finish these sessions at their own pace and still earn a certificate of completion to show off their abilities.

Can I Learn SketchUp Free Online?

It’s tempting for many learners to study SketchUp using low-cost tools like free seminars. After all, these resources (including high-quality and popular YouTube channels) cover multiple topics quickly and efficiently and don’t cost a thing. However, they’re designed as supplemental training options, not replacements for education. They’re simply not in-depth enough for true mastery. Instead, learners should use them to answer specific questions and solve problems.

What Should I Learn Alongside SketchUp?

People taking SketchUp classes near them must also study related subjects to expand their knowledge base and improve their earning potential. Put simply, few designers succeed simply by mastering SketchUp. Instead, they study many other topics to boost their abilities, stand out in their fields, and appeal to more potential employers. Those who are serious about transitioning from SketchUp amateurism to professionalism should learn topics like:

Other 3D Design Software: SketchUp is not the only 3D modeling software on the market today. There are many others worth knowing, such as Daz 3D, 3D Slash, and Blender, that can expand a learner’s skills and make them even more employable. The same concepts typically apply to all these software tools, making them easy to learn.
Adobe Applications: Adobe’s Creative Cloud includes over 20 design applications that users can master to become more skilled and efficient. These include things like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Firefly, After Effects, Lightroom, Character Animator, and other software apps that can help SketchUp experts thrive in their position.
Web Design: Individuals serious about their careers should learn web design alongside SketchUp to bolster their skills and become competent design specialists. For example, mastering 3D modeling can help web developers produce more intricate and appealing websites that might appeal to a broader audience base and convert customers.
Digital Publishing: The digital publishing world focuses on producing appealing and eye-catching books and magazines with interactive elements. These may include 3D models and other interesting factors that draw in users, capture their attention, and make reading internet publications a more appealing option than checking out paper books.

Beyond these subjects, it’s also smart to learn basic architectural tools and design concepts. Just as importantly, drafting theories can also expand a learner’s understanding and make it easier to find a job. Synthesizing all these ideas into a comprehensive education will also make students feel more confident. Even better, they’ll likely appeal to even more potential employers, expanding their opportunities and giving them the chance to truly thrive in many markets.

Industries that Use SketchUp

Across the nation, many industries definitely need experts who understand SketchUp to produce attractive 3D modeling work. These include tech-adjacent firms in major cities and smaller and more focused communities. Most of these markets offer high-earning jobs with multiple roles and duties that make them worth pursuing. Here are a few opportunities that serious students may want to consider after mastering SketchUp in a fun bootcamp.

Architecture

Architectural firms nationwide need people who fully understand SketchUp and its robust design concepts. Thankfully, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a market growth of 5% in this field, which is a little faster than average for the industry. How do architects use SketchUp? Typically, they use it to produce 3D models for their clients, as well as automated walkthroughs that highlight their designs. That service can seriously expand their potential customer base.

Interior Design

Creative individuals often flock to interior design because it gives them a large and exciting canvas for their creations. Those within this field often utilize SketchUp to create realistic renderings of their designs that customers can enjoy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 4% growth in this industry or a little higher than average. Often, people in this industry collaborate with architects and designers to craft intricate and detailed looks for their buildings.

Video Game Design

These days, the video game industry is shockingly thriving, making almost as much as the Hollywood and television fields. Thankfully, companies within this market need high-quality SketchUp experts to produce attractive 3D graphics and cut scenes. Growth within this industry looks strong, with 8% and 10% rates across multiple markets. Even if general trends in video game layoffs seem discouraging, 3D modelers can often find work in smaller independent firms.

Marketing

Advertising and marketing companies often need SketchUp experts and 3D modelers to produce high-quality ads and commercials highlighting their customers. Furthermore, they might need 3D designs for virtual publications, such as trade magazines, that they can share with customers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a growth of around 8% in this industry, which is over double the national average for all markets. That makes it a smart field to join!

Civil Engineering

Civil engineering careers always need someone who can produce 3D models to showcase dams, roads, tunnels, new ponds, and new civil buildings. Typically, people in this industry make a strong and consistent wage and usually have significant benefits, such as extended time off. Within this market, the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 5% growth. That’s a little faster than average, which means people interested in this field have substantial job opportunities.

SketchUp Job Titles and Salaries

SketchUp careers across the nation typically fall into the industries mentioned above, as well as a few others: graphic design, marketing, video and motion, and business. These diverse markets provide plenty of fantastic job opportunities, including the chance to make six figures in rewarding and exciting fields. Anyone who learns SketchUp (alongside other essential foundational skills) can easily transition into one of the following exciting job roles.

Digital Designer

A Digital Designer uses SketchUp daily to produce graphics, animations, and visual effects. These include two- and three-dimensional projects, though most probably utilize this software’s powerful 3D modeling tools. Projects they’ll work on include phone applications, computer software, advertisements, digital publications, and websites. Digital designers make good money, including a national average of around $102,000, while Dallas experts make $200,000.

3D Animator

A career as a 3D Animator often includes fun job roles, like producing characters, backgrounds, and scenes for movies, television, and marketing projects. Experts in this field use SketchUp to create realistic human and animal movements. They’ll also produce intricate and dynamic visuals to immerse viewers in a story. US median salaries in this market are about $94,000, with Chicago and Miami providing the top average earning potential at around $173,000.

Digital Strategist

Working as a Digital Strategist involves virtual projects that may require using SketchUp to create three-dimensional elements. For example, users may produce websites, animations, social media posts, art projects, digital marketing content, SEO campaigns, and even online books with 3D graphics. Digital strategists earn around $81,000 on average nationwide. However, those in New York City can make about $95,000 and $88,000 in Orange County.

Video Manager

As a Video Manager, SketchUp experts will focus on multiple levels of filmmaking, including storyboarding and scripting and finalizing post-production processes. Others might use SketchUp to produce 3D video game scenes or special effects. It’s a decent-earning field, with most making around $69,000 on average. That said, there are higher-value cities where experts can make even more cash. For instance, Dallas video managers make around $166,000 yearly.

SketchUp Classes Near Me

Individuals trying to learn SketchUp near them need to carefully research which classes make the most sense for them. After all, in-person and online courses provide many amenities and specializations. As a result, students need to focus their studies carefully to fine-tune their education and get the results that make sense for them. Here are three schools and classes that serious students may want to try out to enhance their SketchUp skills exponentially.

Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is an award-winning training team in New York City that offers in-person courses directly to NYC residents. However, they also provide online training across the nation to anyone who needs it. With 1-on-1 mentoring, high-quality educators, and a focus on solidifying skills, Noble is the go-to educational option for many successful creatives today.

SketchUp Pro Bootcamp

SketchUp Pro Bootcamp is a 12-hour, two-day class that costs about $700. It covers all subjects that learners need to know, including advanced topics that other programs might miss. Students work live with their professors on project-based topics that enhance their abilities. With 1-on-1 mentorship and a free retake for up to a year after completion, it’s well worth trying out.

VCDI

VCDI is an online education team focused on providing low-cost and effective learning solutions on multiple tech subjects. Their professional development courses are prepared by skilled professors, who create point-by-point curriculums that make mastering a subject easier. Nationally accredited and highly respected, VCDI is a smart investment for serious learners.

SKP 101 - Introduction to SketchUp Pro

SKP 101 - Introduction to SketchUp Pro offers 30 hours of training over about three weeks, though quick learners can complete their lessons at whatever pace feels good to them. For just $580, they get 5.5 hours of videos, multiple lessons, and a completion certificate. Even better, they’ll study all aspects of three-dimensional modeling in multiple fields, like architecture.

SketchUp Campus

SketchUp Campus is an asynchronous learning experience offered by Trimble. It lets students pick and choose what subjects they study, including architectural and interior design, with SketchUp. Since all sessions are self-directed, learners can study at whatever pace feels right for them and walk away confident in their skills and their abilities to utilize SketchUp effectively.

SketchUp Fundamentals (Desktop)

SketchUp Fundamentals (Desktop) is a free class that comes with multiple exercise files that cover things like core SketchUp concepts. These include Push Pull, drawing tools, grouping concepts, and accurate design theories. Learners should start with this class and try others later to bolster their skills. If they like SketchUp, paid bootcamp can boost their abilities further.

ONLC

ONLC offers in-person and online IT and tech courses across the nation to help students build their careers. These include subjects like Power Platform, Copilot, AutoCAD, CompTIA, and SketchUp. Learners can schedule their courses in 2-3 day blocks, meaning it’s fairly easy for them to find a suitable learning experience that fits their personal and work schedule well.

SketchUp Level 1 - Essentials

SketchUp Level 1 - Essentials is a $1,200 course that lasts three days while teaching students the foundational skills they need to utilize SketchUp. They’ll study the program’s user interface, work on the “Push and Pull” method for creating 3D work, and focus on layout functionality. All these subjects ensure that they walk away ready to tackle big and exciting design projects.

SketchUp Corporate Training

Noble Desktop not only runs in-person sessions in New York City and online classes across the nation but also provides SketchUp training and corporate courses that focus on large professional groups. These programs feature the same high-quality approach common in all Noble groups, including 1-on-1 mentoring, a proven curriculum focused on student success, and a heavy focus on educational quality that makes this provider stand out compared to others.

Noble Desktop also provides discounted bulk vouchers that make their courses more affordable for large teams, including design professionals throughout almost every market. In this way, it’s easier for big companies to properly train their team and help them walk away confident in their abilities. Anyone interested in signing up can email Noble at corporate@nobledesktop.com to chat about their courses and learn more about SketchUp’s unique user interface and tools.

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Learn More About SketchUp Courses

What is SketchUp?

What Can You Do with SketchUp Training?

What Will I Learn in a SketchUp Class?

Shape Production

Design Concepts

3D Modeling

Animation

Texturing

Project Management

How Hard is it to Learn SketchUp?

What are the most challenging parts of learning SketchUp?

How Long Does it Take to Learn SketchUp?

Should I Learn SketchUp In Person or Online?

Can I Learn SketchUp Free Online?

What Should I Learn Alongside SketchUp?

Industries that Use SketchUp

Architecture

Interior Design

Video Game Design

Marketing

Civil Engineering

SketchUp Job Titles and Salaries

Digital Designer

3D Animator

Digital Strategist

Video Manager

SketchUp Classes Near Me

Noble Desktop

VCDI

SketchUp Campus

SketchUp Fundamentals (Desktop)

ONLC

SketchUp Level 1 - Essentials

SketchUp Corporate Training

SketchUp Courses by School

SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Course (Self-Paced)

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