How to Learn SketchUp Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning SketchUp is no different.This application is used in a variety of different design industries, for building 3D models. It is widely considered to be relatively easy to learn and use. If you’ve always wanted to learn SketchUp, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you. 

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.

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.

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.

Free Intro 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. 

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

When it comes to learning SketchUp, you’ll find a number of different class formats. Three of the most popular are in-person, live-online, and on-demand. Each of these methods has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the decision about which class to take will depend on many factors including your goals, learning style, budget, and schedule. In-person classes are the traditional way to learn and remain popular. For instance, in 2019, the nonprofit association EDUCAUSE questioned more than 40,000 undergraduate students in 118 US schools about their learning preferences. It found that 70 percent of students prefer classes that are solely or mostly face-to-face. One thing that many students like about in-learning is that they get a more personal connection with their instructor and fellow students, which can make the class feel more engaging. An in-person class also allows students to interact with their instructor in real-time, getting regular feedback, and immediate answers to their questions. Another benefit of this format is that it allows students to collaborate and network with peers more easily. Finally, an in-person classroom space is designed for learning, without many of the distractions that can be found in other places, and many students say that this makes it easier to focus on the lesson. A potential downside to in-person learning is that students must commute to a classroom.

Live online training has a number of similarities to in-person instruction. Like live instruction, it takes place in real-time, so students can also interact with instructors and get live feedback and answers to their questions. Students also have the opportunity to collaborate and network with peers. In fact, some students say that networking opportunities are even better in live online classes because some online classes contain students from all over the country or even the world. Unlike in-person classes, live online courses do not require a commute; instead, students attend by logging in online, and can do so from any location with an internet connection. A downside to live online training is that in most cases, students have to supply their own software and computer equipment.

A third learning option is on-demand training. This is the most flexible way to learn SketchUp since learning is asynchronous and students work through pre-recorded material at their own pace. They can stop and start whenever they need to, and can even pause and rewind material that they need more time with, or skip through sections that they have already mastered. On-demand classes also tend to be the least expensive class option, which makes them a good way to learn some basic skills. A downside to on-demand classes is that there is no live instruction. Because classes are pre-recorded, there is also the chance that material can become outdated. 

Tips to Succeed when Learning SketchUp Online

Online classes have many unique benefits, including flexibility and the fact that you aren’t limited to classes that are based in your physical location. However, online learning can also have some unique challenges, such as the fact that you can’t interact in person with your instructor and fellow classmates. If you’re planning to learn online, it’s a good idea to make sure you understand some of the differences associated with this learning format and think about how you can overcome those challenges. Below are some tips for succeeding with online learning.

Learn to Minimize Distractions

When you learn in a classroom, you’re in an environment designed for learning, with minimal distractions. In contrast, when you learn online, you’re usually at home or in another location that may have many things to distract you from your lesson. Consequently, as an online learner, you may need to learn how to avoid becoming distracted. Some students set up a specific area for studying, which is away from distractions, and is quiet so that they focus. Another strategy is to play music to help you tune out background noise. If you find your home too distracting, you could go to a library or coffee shop. If your distractions come from your digital devices, then you can silence them while you study.

Make Time to Interact with Your Instructor and Classmates

When you learn online, you won’t get face-to-face, in-person interaction with your instructor or the other students in your class, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with them. In fact, most experts advise making an effort to do so because there are many benefits from interaction; it can help you feel more engaged and connected, provide different perspectives on what you are learning, and lead to valuable networking opportunities. Many online classes do have opportunities for interaction, and some even encourage it. Some examples of ways to interact are messaging instructors for help, engaging in group discussions, and working on group projects. 

Learn How to Stay Motivated

While online learning offers a lot of freedom, for some people that freedom makes it difficult to stay motivated and on track. Instead, they might procrastinate or get distracted by other things. Experts recommend that online students avoid this problem by scheduling regular study times and setting up a dedicated study area away from distractions.

Understand How You Learn

Every person has a different learning style, and if you want to get the most out of your learning experience, it can be a good idea to figure out what your style is, so that you can learn in ways that work for that style. For instance, some students learn best by listening to an instructor's lecture, while others are more visual. Some are more productive in the morning, while others work better at night. As an online student, you’re more likely to get the most out of your learning experience by understanding what learning style works best for you.

Check Your Sources

If you’re using online sources to learn, it's important to check everything to make sure that it is current and accurate. Unfortunately, not everything online is going to be beneficial, since not everyone who posts online is an expert. 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 do a bit of research.

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.