Best Free SketchUp Resources & Tutorials

There are plenty of professionals who are eager to learn SketchUp but hesitate because of the perceived up-front costs. Most SketchUp classes cost at least a few hundred dollars, and if you want more than the free version of the application, you’ll also have to pay a yearly subscription fee. However, there are a surprising amount of free resources available to help beginners get the hang of this exciting program. 

Read on to learn more about the different types of free resources and tutorials available to help you learn SketchUp. 

What is SketchUp?

SketchUp is a 3D modeling application. It can be used to create and manipulate 3D and 2D models for use in a wide variety of design fields including interior design, architecture, video game design, mechanical engineering, and landscaping. It can also be used to create and download models for 3D printers. This application is owned by Trimble Inc. It has a free version and a pro version and is used by both hobbyists and professionals.

Most users say that SketchUp is relatively easy to learn and use. One unique feature of the application is that you can push and pull shapes into 3D models. You can also add textures, colors, and styles to your models to make them look more realistic and appealing. SketchUp has a large library of pre-built models and objects that users can download, and it supports many plug-ins. In addition, it has a large community of users who share models and tips online.

What Can You Do with SketchUp?

SketchUp is a modeling program that can be used to visualize a variety of different types of designs. You start with basic shapes and use the many tools included in this application to create 3D models of buildings, landscapes, furniture, and other objects. You can add details to these models, such as lighting, shadows, and textures, to make them look realistic. SketchUp also provides access to many pre-built models that can speed up your work process, and a variety of extensions that you can use to customize your designs.

As a designer, you can use SketchUp to get a better understanding of what your design will look like. Visualizing your design is also a great way to test its function and look for potential flaws. If you want to make changes to your designs, doing so in SketchUp is relatively easy too. Another benefit of using SketchUp is that you can share your designs with clients and team members. This is important because design is typically a collaborative activity. By creating models, you can help everyone involved gain a clear understanding of the design. You can also collaborate with team members in other locations.

Free Tutorials

If you’re new to Sketchup, free tutorials are a great way to get an overview of how this application works or to learn some basic skills. Many schools provide free resources so that prospective students can get a better idea of a topic before committing to a formal class. For instance, Noble Desktop has many free seminars, tutorials, guides, and blog posts on a wide variety of different design-related topics. Get Started in Design: Graphic, Web, UX/UI & Motion is a popular free seminar, and gives you an overview of many different types of design and the tools used in each one. In this course, you can get a better idea of what designers do, and the types of apps that they use. Graphic Design Fundamentals is another free Noble Desktop seminar. It covers what Graphic Designers do, and how to get started in this field. You can learn about what types of classes you can take, and how to begin building a portfolio.

Free On-Demand Classes

Some on-demand schools offer limited free courses. For instance, LinkedIn Learning has a short course called “Learning SketchUp for Free,” and Udemy has a number of free courses including “The Quick Basics of SketchUp Free!” Coursera offers a few guided projects where you work on a simple project using SketchUp. On-demand courses are pre-recorded and you work through them at your own pace, stopping and starting whenever you need to. Some on-demand classes include instructor support, however, free ones typically do not. 

Other Free Online Resources

There are also a number of other places to find free SketchUp learning resources. SketchUp’s website offers free resources for users, including a number of resources on how to set up this application and how to get started using it. Its website also contains a page called the SketchUp Community, where you can consult with other users. YouTube is another source of free information, and you’ll find many free short SketchUp tutorials there. Another way to get free SketchUp information is to ask an expert. There are many online forums where people with more experience in this field are often happy to share information with beginners. 

The Importance of Checking Your Sources

Anyone can post a SketchUp tutorial online, however, not everyone who does so is an expert. If you’re utilizing free online sources, it's important to check everything to make sure that it is current and accurate. When you enroll in a paid online class, checking your sources can be easier because instructors will provide you with their credentials. If you’re using free resources, you might have to spend a bit more time checking to make sure that those resources are reliable.

Learn SketchUp with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you want to learn SketchUp, you’ll find a comprehensive, beginner-friendly course offered by Noble Desktop. The SketchUp Pro Bootcamp is a multi-day class that is designed to give you hands-on experience using this application and will get you ready to start building 3D models. It covers a wide range of topics including interface navigation, drawing shapes, adding volume, and transforming elements. You’ll also learn to connect and generate forms, generate 3D text, and export models to Google Earth. Noble Desktop is located in New York City, where it offers in-person classes. However, all of its classes also run in a live online format. Students can even access recordings of each class session for up to a month after the session. This school is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Its courses come with a certificate of completion, and students also have the option of a free course retake within one year.

Noble also offers a number of live AutoCAD classes. These include AutoCAD Level 1, which is a short class that covers AutoCAD’s basic drawing and editing tools; AutoCAD Level 2, which covers more advanced and technical projects; and AutoCAD Level 3, which is an advanced course that provides students with instruction in annotation, dynamic blocks and attributes, collaboration and publishing, and customization. Students looking for a more comprehensive class might also consider the AutoCAD Masterclass. This course takes students from beginner to advanced, and students will work on a number of projects that allow them to practice their skills. Noble also has an AutoDesk Certification Program that is designed for students who want to earn the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting. This course includes three AutoCAD classes and six hours of private tutoring. The course fee includes the exam, proctoring, and a free exam retake if needed.