Best SketchUp Classes Phoenix, AZ: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Phoenix SketchUp Courses

What is SketchUp?

SketchUp is a widely used 3D modeling software that allows users to generate accurate 2D and 3D models easily. SketchUp has gained popularity within a variety of industries, including architecture, construction, design, manufacturing, video game design, and urban planning. Originally released in 2000 by @last Software, current owner Trimble would acquire the software in 2012. Trimble offers multiple versions of SketchUp, including a free, web-based version and SketchUp Pro, a subscription-based version for professional and commercial use.

SketchUp is considered easy to learn and has an intuitive interface. This software integrates well with other modeling and design software and gives users access to a large library of pre-built 3D models as well as compatible extensions and plugins. Users can not only use the software to create 3D models, users can also use it to generate construction documentation with LayOut or to create photorealistic renderings, animations, and virtual walkthroughs of models with plugins.

What Can You Do with SketchUp Training?

Learning SketchUp provides you with a technical skillset that can be used professionally or for your own projects. Your training will teach you how to build 3D models of various buildings, objects, or even topography. You will be able to design accurate models for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional uses, depending on the course you take and your own design interests. SketchUp courses will also teach you how to apply color and materials with realistic textures to different surfaces, so you’ll be able to accurately plan for and visualize your projects.

Another part of your skillset will be learning how to collaborate with others through SketchUp and how to generate accurate construction documentation. Most professionals will not work on projects as singular drafters or designers, instead, they will often be working on teams and needing to respond to client needs as well as building and design codes and regulations. Courses will teach you how to collaborate with others through SketchUp and use the software to generate construction plans and schedules that can be shared with others during different phases of completing your projects.

Many people also learn SketchUp to pursue hobbies or their own design projects. You can use your SketchUp skills to create your own 3D models that can be used for 3D printing. Though many turn their 3D printing hobby into a small business, you can also use it to just create interesting designs for yourself, your friends, or your family. Learning this software can also allow you to explore an interest in DIY interior design, as you can model your own living space or your furniture and move them around to generate new ways of seeing your interior or exterior space.

What Will I Learn in a SketchUp Class?

Drawing Tools

One of the basics a SketchUp class will teach is how to use the software’s drawing tools. SketchUp has a unique push/pull tool that allows you to easily create 3D objects and surfaces. Additionally, you can draw lines and arcs and learn how to use different shape tools to create rectangles, circles, polygons, and other shapes. Learning how to use drawing tools will provide you with a solid foundation for getting started generating 3D models using this software. SketchUp courses will also teach you how to manipulate and edit surfaces and add color, photos, and materials to them to give the model your desired look.

Grouping & Components

Two other important skills you will learn in any SketchUp class will be how to use the group feature and to use components. Grouping allows you to isolate the geometry of specific objects, shapes, or structures so that they are treated as a unit. This allows you to move things around without having different surfaces stick together. Turning an object into a component allows users to reuse geometry (maybe you want a row of desks that are all the same, for instance) and every change you make to an object defined as a component will simultaneously change all other linked objects. These features of SketchUp will take some practice to learn but make it easier to design your model.

SketchUp LayOut

LayOut is a tool that allows users to turn their 3D model into 2D for annotation, collaboration, and documentation. Projects that need construction plans, dimensions, or other construction documentation will require LayOut as SketchUp will not generate these itself. As you update your 3D model, any documentation in LayOut will be automatically updated, as well. This also makes LayOut a useful collaboration tool as multiple members of the team can be kept up-to-date about changes in a project’s progression. You will learn how to use LayOut in most SketchUp classes, though it is sometimes considered an intermediate or advanced skill.

Rendering & Visualization

Like other modeling and design software, SketchUp can allow you to generate photorealistic renders as well as project animations or virtual walkthroughs of your 3D model. With SketchUp, this is something you’ll need to use a plugin or extension for, like V-Ray, the most popular photorealistic 3D rendering plugin for SketchUp. Rendering can also be considered a more advanced SketchUp skill, so this is a skill you will either learn in a comprehensive SketchUp course or that might be in a more advanced class focused specifically on how to create renders with this software.

Communication

Communication is a necessary skill you will practice in any SketchUp course. Most people do not create 3D models alone, instead, they are part of a larger team that can include drafters, designers, technicians, architects, and engineers who will all have specific and defined roles on a project. SketchUp will be one way that team members can collaborate together on a project, as you can make important annotations or create visualizations of your model to share with other team members or stakeholders.

How Hard is it to Learn SketchUp?

SketchUp is considered easy to learn and has an intuitive program interface. The push/pull tool and extensive library of pre-built 3D models allow you to easily create 3D shapes or build off of ones that have already been designed. Most will not need a background in drafting or design to understand SketchUp, though this background can help learners understand the various toolsets, uses, and features offered by this program more easily than those without any background or education in creating 3D models of spaces, topography, or objects from scratch.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning SketchUp?

SketchUp is not difficult for most, though some with a strong 2D drafting background (or those who have worked extensively with AutoCAD) sometimes have a hard time transitioning to SketchUp’s interface and 3D-specific toolsets. While the basic features of SketchUp are not considered challenging, some of the more advanced features and plugins or extensions can be more difficult to master. It might take longer to become proficient with using groups, layers, or complex shapes, though most will learn these features with practice. Additionally, SketchUp provides access to many plugins and extensions and some of them will be easier to use than others and many will offer their own advanced features or customization options that will take time to learn.

How Long Does it Take to Learn SketchUp?

Some suggest it will only take a few hours to learn the basic toolsets and simple functions of SketchUp. Within a few hours, you can create and modify basic 3D shapes and start adding materials and colors to surfaces. It will take a few weeks to a month to become comfortable using SketchUp regularly and creating full 3D model projects from scratch, including mastering lines, arcs, and shapes as well as designing furniture, topography, and adjusting models for accurate dimensions and measurements. It will take longer to master the advanced features, toolsets, and industry-specific plugins in SketchUp Pro. Most will become proficient in using SketchUp professionally in a few months to a year, depending on one’s dedication to learning the software and how often they practice using it.

Should I Learn SketchUp In Person or Online?

Whether to learn SketchUp in person or online depends on your own learning preferences as well as the cost, schedule, and curriculum of a training course. In-person learning is still considered the best way to learn and retain information. Many students find they can focus more on the course material when learning in a dedicated training facility and in-person learners have more opportunities to receive individualized feedback from an instructor and network with other students. The drawbacks to in-person training are that it can be harder to find than online training, it is less convenient and accessible, and it can be more expensive than some other options.

Live online training is a great alternative to in-person learning. These courses are still instructor-led and will allow you to engage with others who are learning the same material. One of the main benefits of online learning is that you can learn from home or any location that you find convenient. Online courses are also more likely to be offered part-time, in the evening, or on weekends so they are more accessible to those who work full-time or have busy schedules. Some students do struggle to remain focused on the course material and have a hard time engaging with others online, which means that online learning is not for everyone.

Another online training option is asynchronous online or self-paced courses. Instead of needing to attend regularly scheduled classes, self-paced courses give you access to course material that you can work through at your own speed. This is a great option to learn SketchUp basics and is one of the best options for self-motivated learners who cannot attend any in-person or live online class sessions. Self-paced courses also tend to be less expensive, though this varies based on the provider. These courses do not always come with an instructor or hard deadlines, so you will have to use effective time and productivity management skills to complete them. Additionally, many self-paced courses do not provide professional skill development or career-support services, so career-oriented learners need to vet courses and training programs to make sure they are right for their professional needs.

Can I Learn SketchUp Free Online?

Yes, you can learn SketchUp basics online for free and you can find resources to help get you started down your desired career pathway. A good place to start is Noble Desktop’s free seminar Get Started in Design, which is geared towards those who want to learn SketchUp to launch their design career. This seminar along with Noble’s Graphic Design YouTube playlist will inform learners how to pursue a design career and provide tutorials for using industry-standard software and learning necessary technical skills.

Many learners start working with SketchUp software by using SketchUp Free, which is a web-only, free version of the software. SketchUp Free will not have all of the toolsets and features that you can find in the paid versions or in SketchUp Pro, but the free version will allow you to get a sense of the interface and drawing tools. Trimble also provides free tutorials through SketchUp Campus geared towards learners of all levels. You will also be able to find other tutorials on YouTube, free learning resources from The SketchUp Essentials website, and even short SketchUp courses through LinkedIn Learning, which is free for many public library card holders.

What Should I Learn Alongside SketchUp?

Alongside SketchUp, it is common to learn other modeling and CAD software. AutoCAD is considered industry-standard for many in architecture, engineering, design, construction, and manufacturing. AutoCAD is also relatively easy to learn and most will use it for 2D drawing and drafting capabilities, though it can also be used for 3D modeling. These two programs work well together as SketchUp will allow you to import 2D drawings from AutoCAD so you can turn them into 3D models.

Another common program to learn is Autodesk’s BIM software, Revit. Revit is commonly used in similar industries as SketchUp and AutoCAD to create buildings, systems, and processes in 3D, generate construction documentation, and visualize designs at various project stages. This software is considered 4D modeling software because it allows users to visualize a project’s entire lifecycle and how one’s designs will wear over time or interact with the surrounding environment. Depending on your industry, you will need to learn other software, like Cinema 4D for those in animation or visual effects or Civil 3D for civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

Industries that Use SketchUp

SketchUp is used in industries that rely on modeling and prototype design, which includes architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Not only is SketchUp used in AEC industries, but it is also used in manufacturing as advanced manufacturing and 3D printing become increasingly commonplace. Design fields, like interior design, also use SketchUp for designing and organizing interior spaces and objects like furniture.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of Phoenix’s top industries as companies in the city manufacture everything from aircraft parts and semiconductors to chemicals and processed foods. Phoenix recently ranked third in a list of the best large US cities for manufacturing, a ranking which relates, in part, to the boom in manufacturing construction that Phoenix has experienced over the past few years. Like many cities, Phoenix has also embraced advanced manufacturing, which can include using 3D printing to manufacture goods.

In manufacturing, SketchUp users will often be working on creating 3D models of products. What one specifically designs or draws using software like SketchUp will depend on your specialization, but it is common to prototype a variety of goods like electronics, jewelry, automotive parts, and medical devices using 3D modeling software before they are officially manufactured. Someone with SketchUp training will likely need to have industry-specific knowledge to design or draw objects within industry regulations and for specific functions.

Construction

Industrial and manufacturing construction are thriving in Phoenix. The city leads the nation in industrial construction, which includes designing and building large industrial and manufacturing plants. Even as construction projects slow elsewhere in the US, Phoenix continues to have the most active construction projects of any city in the US and also continues to add numbers to its construction workforce.

Those learning SketchUp can often find themselves working in construction. Not only is SketchUp used for designing 3D models of building projects but it is also a way to annotate projects and generate detailed construction documentation. Someone working with SketchUp in construction will need to be proficient in using LayOut to generate plans, schedules, and other important documentation and they can add notes and update project information into the designs to update them as construction starts, progresses, and finishes.

Architecture

The architecture industry in Phoenix is thriving. It is considered a great location for residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional architecture and many firms are working on sustainable design as well as maintaining and reusing existing structures and buildings. The largest architecture firm in the Phoenix area is SmithGroup, which frequently works on commercial and institutional spaces, including the University of Arizona Applied Research Building and River People Health Center.

Architecture professionals frequently use 3D modeling software like SketchUp to design and manipulate 3D interior and exterior structures. Someone in this industry will likely be responsible for designing buildings and other structures from scratch in SketchUp or using their pre-built 3D model library and they will need to know how to create furnishings, add materials and colors, and generate construction documents for projects. Professionals working in landscape architecture also use SketchUp to make changes to model 3D topography and organize exterior spaces for their projects.

Interior Design

Interior design is another common industry where those with SketchUp training work. Interior design professionals often work in architecture firms or small and large interior design companies and this is true of those working in Phoenix, as well. Phoenix-area residential interior designers, in particular, are often tasked with blending a traditional southwest aesthetic with more modern forms. Design firm Gensler is the largest employer of Interior Designers in Phoenix and much of their work centers on designing institutional or office workspaces.

Someone using SketchUp for interior design will often work on modeling 3D interiors and objects. They will think about how people navigate and function within the spaces they create and how they interact with various interior elements like furniture. Interior design professionals will often also model the furnishings as they will need to be project-specific and will be, overall, part of the design process that project stakeholders will need to envision.

SketchUp Job Titles and Salaries

Drafter

A Drafter is someone who uses computer software to create technical drawings. Drafters are the ones who will be using SketchUp and other modeling and CAD software to accurately draw out a project’s design. They often work on a team of other designers and drafters and are often working to make the design of a lead Designer, Architect, or Engineer a reality. What you will be drawing, as a Drafter, depends on your industry as this role can find themselves working in AEC industries as well as design or manufacturing.

A Drafter in Phoenix earns an average yearly salary of around $64,000. The salary for a Drafter can range from $52,000 to around $90,000, on average, and those in this role can earn additional pay in the form of bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing. What you earn is heavily dependent on the industry you are working within as well as your prior education and experience level. Drafters can work their way up to design roles, but will often need further education or licensing to become a project leader.

Product Designer

A Product Designer is someone who creates the designs for an industry-specific project. They are more involved in the product creation process than someone like a Drafter, as they will work with other lead Designers, Project Managers, or Engineers to create product designs that meet a client’s needs and expectations. What a Product Designer creates is industry-dependent and the Product Designers who will most often need to use SketchUp are more likely to work in commercial or industrial project design and manufacturing that uses 3D printing.

A Product Designer in Phoenix is earning around $89,000, before any additional pay like bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing endeavors. The salary for this position can range from around $72,000 at the lower end to around $145,000 at the higher end. What you’ll earn can depend on education, experience, and your specific design specialty.

Interior Designer

An Interior Designer works on designing spaces and objects for a variety of purposes including residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional. Interior Designers will use SketchUp to create accurate 3D models of interior spaces, furniture, and other important objects and they will be able to add materials with specific textures to make the design process more accurate and communicate their intended vision to team members and stakeholders. They will likely work on a larger team of other designers and architects and will need to balance the look and function of the spaces that they create.

In Phoenix, an Interior Designer makes an average salary of $87,000. This can range from $65,000 to $156,000 and additional pay for this role can be up to $30,000 in bonuses, commissions, and profit-sharing. Your salary will depend on your interior design specialization as well as your educational background and skill level.

3D Printing Engineer

A 3D Printing Engineer designs 3D models that will be printed or manufactured into objects and products. They will need to use SketchUp and other modeling and CAD software as part of their design process and be familiar with how to use SketchUp to export 3D models for printing. As an Engineer, they are more likely to be a lead on a project, meaning it is their designs that will be printed and they will need to take control of the design and manufacturing process to ensure quality control and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

3D Printing Engineers in Phoenix earn an average salary of around $98,000 before additional pay, according to Glassdoor. This salary can range from $83,000 at the lower end to around $148,000 at the higher end. How much someone makes in this role will reflect their education, experience, and engineering specialization.

SketchUp Classes Near Me

Those looking for quality SketchUp training from an accredited education provider should consider Virtual Design & Construction Institute’s (VDCI) SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Course Bundle. This course bundle includes VDCI’s Introduction to SketchUp Pro and Intermediate SketchUp Pro courses, which will teach the basics of using SketchUp toolsets to design 3D models and cover more advanced ways to create topography and design customizable interior elements with materials, textures, and colors. VDCI’s courses are self-paced, meaning that you will set your own schedule for learning the course material. The SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Course Bundle provides 60 hours of course material that most students complete in one to two months. VDCI also offers mentorship and career-support services and encourages enrolled students to engage with their instructor and other classmates through discussion forums, direct messaging, and joining the VDCI Student Lounge, which is also a way to network with experts in your field and program alumni.

Noble Desktop offers SketchUp Private Training sessions for those who want customized, individual training in this software. Enrolling in these training sessions means you will receive personal, 1-on-1, instructor-led training in SketchUp Pro fundamentals. Learners will learn how to draw and manipulate shapes, lines, and arcs, add color, photos, and materials to surfaces, work with text, and export and render 3D models. These sessions are open to learners at all levels and allow you to determine how quickly to learn SketchUp and which skills you particularly want to master through your individualized training.

In addition to SketchUp courses, Noble Desktop also offers courses in other modeling and CAD software. The beginner-friendly AutoCAD Bootcamp offers 30 hours of introductory and intermediate-level training in using the 2D drawing and design features of this industry-standard software. Those who do not want to take an intensive bootcamp can instead enroll in an 18-hour introductory AutoCAD Level I course, then take a 12-hour intermediate AutoCAD Level II course, and finally take the 18-hour advanced AutoCAD Level III course. You can also become an Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting by taking Noble’s AutoCAD Certification Program. Along with the ACP exam, this program of study includes 54 hours of AutoCAD training and an additional six hours of private tutoring.

Located in nearby Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College offers a three-month self-paced SketchUp Pro Basics online course. Students receive 60 hours of course material, including video lectures and ebooks, and will learn how to use SketchUp’s various tools and abilities through completing hands-on projects. Those enrolled in the course are guided through creating topography and physical objects for an outdoor park before learning how to build a clubhouse for the park from scratch using this software. While the course has no live instruction, students are able to email any questions to an industry expert.

For those looking for a longer degree program, Phoenix College offers a Sketchup I: Introduction to Sketchup course that is part of a longer degree program in interior design. While this is not a standalone course, prospective Interior Designers might be interested in receiving an associate’s degree or certificate from Phoenix College. They offer certificates with specializations including Interior Design Upholstery and Soft Good Production, Interior Merchandising and Home Staging, and Residential Interior Design.

ONLC Training Centers offers three SketchUp classes that can be taken in person at their facility in Scottsdale or remotely online from any location. Their introductory SketchUp Level 1 - Essentials course promises three days of beginner-friendly instruction in using SketchUp to create and edit 3D models. This fundamentals course also serves as a prerequisite for their two-day intermediate and advanced classes. The SketchUp Level 2 - Beyond the Basics with SketchUp and LayOut is for those looking to use SketchUp for manufacturing or 3D printing as it covers using LayOut to create plans, drawings, and other necessary documentation. The last course in the sequence, SketchUp Level 3 - Rendering Photorealistic Models for Architecture and Interior Design, walks users through advanced techniques of preparing models for rendering and creating virtual walkthroughs, renders, and other visualizations for presentations.

Another self-paced option is Certstaffix’s SketchUp training bundle. This allows students to learn about SketchUp’s interface and professional uses as well as how to use basic drawing tools and the construction toolbar. As a self-paced course, enrolled students will receive access to course materials and practice activities for six months and can work through them at their own speed. This training bundle comes with an additional four courses that are part of Certstaffix’s Essential Career Skills Pack. These additional courses provide material on necessary digital, creative, and soft skills and how to manage your time and remain productive.

Business Computer Skills also offers two- and three-day live online SketchUp training courses to those in the Phoenix area. They offer courses based on skill level, so beginners can take their SketchUp Level 1 course and more intermediate and advanced learners can take their SketchUp Level 2 or SketchUp Level 3 course. Their Level 1 course promises to cover basics like navigating the SketchUp interface, using drawing tools, grouping and components, adding materials, textures, and color to different surfaces, and using accurate measurements and dimensions for your project.

SketchUp Corporate Training

Noble Desktop offers customizable corporate training options for those looking to upskill or reskill their workforce with training in SketchUp and other 2D and 3D modeling software. Team members can learn new skills quickly with Noble’s accelerated bootcamps and short classes in SketchUp Pro or AutoCAD. Noble Desktop’s courses are available in person at their Midtown Manhattan training facility and can be taken online from any location or scheduled onsite at your business location.

Discounted bulk vouchers are available for enrolling your workforce in Noble’s public classes. This option lets you decide which courses your team can take and team members can then arrange their own schedules based on the courses that best fit their needs. Email corporate@nobledesktop.com to learn more about corporate training options and to schedule your free consultation. Noble Desktop’s industry experts can create a customized curriculum for your organization that accounts for what your team needs to learn, when they need to learn it, and how they learn best.

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Learn More About Phoenix SketchUp Courses

What is SketchUp?

What Can You Do with SketchUp Training?

What Will I Learn in a SketchUp Class?

Drawing Tools

Grouping & Components

SketchUp LayOut

Rendering & Visualization

Communication

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

Manufacturing

Construction

Architecture

Interior Design

SketchUp Job Titles and Salaries

Drafter

Product Designer

Interior Designer

3D Printing Engineer

SketchUp Classes Near Me

SketchUp Corporate Training

Phoenix SketchUp Courses by School

SketchUp Pro Fundamentals Course (Self-Paced)

Introduction to SketchUp Pro (Self-Paced)

Intermediate SketchUp Pro (Self-Paced)

Sketchup Pro intensive for beginners

Modeling, animation and rendering with SketchUp - Continuing Education

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Phoenix Careers & Salaries Related to SketchUp

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