How to Learn SketchUp

SketchUp is a 3D modeling application that you can use to create models of a wide variety of different types of designs such as buildings, furniture, and landscapes. It is known to be a versatile and user-friendly program and is popular among designers in a number of different fields including architecture, interior design, engineering, and video game design. The number of options for learning SketchUp might be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more to choose from; it all depends on your learning style and personal preferences. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning SketchUp so you can make an informed decision about how you’d like to get started.

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.

In-Person SketchUp Training

An in-person class is a popular way to learn SketchUp. One reason many people prefer in-person learning is that they often find it more interactive and engaging than other learning methods. It can also be easier to focus on what you are learning, since in-person training takes place in an environment dedicated to learning, with minimal outside distractions. Another benefit of this format is that you’ll be guided by an expert, who can answer your questions and provide feedback in real-time. You’ll also be learning with a group of peers, which can enhance the learning process, and lead to valuable networking opportunities. A drawback to in-person training is that you’ll need to commute to a classroom, which can be inconvenient and expensive.

If you want to learn SketchUp in person, you’ll find a comprehensive, beginner-friendly course offered by Noble Desktop, in its Manhattan classroom. 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. Noble 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 Level 1, 2, and 3 classes, in addition to an AutoCAD Masterclass and an AutoDesk Certification Program.

Live Online SketchUp Training

Another popular way to learn SketchUp is to enroll in a live online class. Live online classes include many of the same benefits as in-person classes, such as real-time interaction with an instructor who can answer your questions and provide feedback on your progress, and the experience of learning along with a group of peers. In addition to these benefits, live online classes offer an extra level of flexibility. Rather than commuting to a classroom, you attend by simply logging in via your computer. Because you don’t have to be physically present in a classroom, you’ll also have access to a greater number of class options. However, there are also downsides to live online learning. You’ll probably have to supply your own software and equipment. You may also have to occasionally deal with technical issues.

A few different schools offer live online SketchUp training. Noble Desktop--a coding and design school based in New York City--offers a variety of different live online design classes including the SketchUp Pro Bootcamp. This multi-day class 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. ONLC Training offers Level 1, 2, and 3 classes. UCLA Extension offers a hands-on, online SketchUp class, in addition to an Advanced SketchUp class. The Knowledge Academy also offers a live online SketchUp class.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re new to Sketchup, free introductory online resources are a great way to learn some basic skills. 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 of these fields. 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.

There are also a number of other places to find free resources. Some 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!” 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 forum called the SketchUp Community, where you can consult with other users. 

On-Demand SketchUp Classes

Another learning option is to enroll in an on-demand SketchUp class. On-demand courses are made up of a series of pre-recorded lessons and exercises, and students work through this material at their own pace, without the guidance of a live instructor. There is a lot of flexibility in this format since you don’t have to follow along with a class. You can set your own learning schedule, stopping and starting whenever you want to. You can pause or rewind sections of the course that you need more time with, or fast-forward through material that you have already mastered. However, with an on-demand, self-paced class, you won’t have access to real-time guidance and feedback from an instructor. Self-paced classes also tend to require a higher level of motivation.

A number of different websites offer on-demand SketchUp training including Udemy, Coursera, or LinkedIn Learning. Available courses include both free and paid options and can take anywhere from a few hours to more than twenty hours to complete. Free courses are usually shorter and typically don’t come with other benefits like access to instructor support and a certificate of completion. Paid on-demand classes are generally more comprehensive, however, most are still much less comprehensive than an in-person or live online SketchUp class.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources available to help beginners learn SketchUp, you might be unsure about which one is best for you. There is no single answer to this question, since everyone has different learning styles and preferences. If you’re not sure about what type of class to pick, you can experiment with multiple tools to see which one feels right for you. One of the great things about directing your own learning is that you get to choose which combination of tools you prefer.

It’s also essential to consider your current schedule before selecting a learning method. If you have a lot of responsibilities, like a full-time job or family commitments, you may not be able to devote time to a structured course that requires you to attend at the same time every day. In this case, a self-paced class may be a better option, since this will allow you to learn when your schedule allows. On the other hand, those with a more flexible schedule may prefer a structured course offered in-person or live online. 

Yet another thing to consider when picking a learning method is your level of experience with design. If you don’t know anything about design, you are likely to find it more difficult to learn SketchUp. If this is your situation, you may find a live class to be a better fit since with this type of class, you can get immediate instructor feedback.

Why Learn SketchUp?

If you work in any type of design field where you need to utilize 3D models, SketchUp can be a valuable tool. Building models is an important part of many types of design, including in the fields of architecture, landscaping, and interior design. There are a number of reasons why designers create 3D models. A model allows the designer to share designs with stakeholders. All involved parties can understand exactly what the design will look like, and can suggest changes if needed. A model can also help the designer see what the product will look like in the real world, and more easily spot and fix any problems. With a model, any needed changes can be made early in the design process, and are thus likely to be far less costly.

Because SketchUp is so user-friendly, designers find that creating, viewing, and changing 3D models is relatively easy. Overall, most report that this application is versatile, accurate, and easy to use. Its many tools help speed up the work process. In addition, it allows users to collaborate with a team.

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

SketchUp has a reputation for being relatively easy to learn and use. Most people say that you can learn the interface and master the basic tools within a matter of weeks. However, there are a lot of different tools, and mastering all of them can be more difficult. In addition, the application has many extensions, which provide additional functions, and these can also be more difficult to master. With time and practice though, almost anyone will be able to learn SketchUp.

SketchUp was specifically designed to be beginner-friendly, and in most cases, there are no prerequisites for learning it. Since it is a design program, it can be helpful to have a background in design, however, this is not essential. SketchUp is a 3D modeling application, so it can also be beneficial to have some 3D modeling experience, however, in most cases, this is not a prerequisite either.

The cost of SketchUp will vary, depending on the version that you want to use. SketchUp Free is a free version of the application, which is designed for personal use. There are also a number of different pay versions, which include more features than the free version. Each of these is available for a free seven-day trial, and after that, a yearly subscription is required. SketchUp Go is $119 per year, SketchUp Pro is $349 per year, and the Windows Only version is $749 per year. SketchUp also offers plans for students and educators, at $55 per year. Another consideration related to cost is the price of learning the application. You can teach yourself, using free online resources. However, most people find that the quickest and most effective way to learn is by enrolling in a paid SketchUp class. Class prices vary by school, with most costing somewhere between a few hundred and a thousand dollars.

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.