Hello, welcome to this video! Let's see quickly and easily all the basic
features you need to use SketchUp Pro 2018!
Leave us comments below this video to improve our future guides for
SketchUp Pro!
SketchUp Pro is a Computer-Aided Design software used to make drawings,
architectural projects and 2D-3D design, with a very simple user interface.
This software comes with two other products: LayOut, used to build and draw
2D constructions and floor plans; and Style Builder, which is used to
define and trace styles to use on sketches. In this basic tutorial, we will
see how to work with the main SketchUp application.
When you open SketchUp Pro, the startup dialog box shows up, divided in
three main parts: under Learn, you can get the latest news, updates and
tutorials for SketchUp; under License check the status of your license;
and, under Template, choose your favorite ready-template to start from.
Each of these fix the measurement unit and get your project optimized on
either internals, general environment or even 2D constructions.
To see how SketchUp Pro works, let's start a new project by using a basic
Simple Template. Just choose it from the list, and then click on Start
using SketchUp in the bottom right corner.
The new project opens on the SketchUp workspace, with the overall preview
in the center, several drawing and editing tools are on the Toolbar on the top, and
lots of windows and panels on different features collected within
the Default Tray on the right.
Both the Toolbar and the windows start with a default list of tools and
features. You can extend the Toolbar by right-clicking on a vacant space,
and open additional windows inside the Default Tray by using the Window tab.
The project Preview has three main cartesian axes, used to locate objects
and define directions, such as the horizontal one through the red X axis,
the vertical one with the green Y axis, and the height from the ground
through the blue Z axis. Besides these, you can also get a 2D human shape,
which is a very easy reference for its size inside your project.
Now, let's see how to draw 2D and 3D objects with SketchUp Pro!
Use the Lines tool to drop segments inside your workspace, by clicking and
dragging on it. You can also click multiple times to drop consecutive
segments until you use the Escape key, or close the path by clicking on the
first point. The closed shape will get filled automatically.
To draw regular shapes quickly, you can use the Rectangle, the Circle,
and the Polygon tools, by fixing two points on your workspace.
While drawing, SketchUp previews your object in progress, which can also
assume the axes colors. For example, if you draw lines, these get an axis
color if the object gets parallel to it. In case of polygon and curves,
these get the same color of the axis that is perpendicular to the plane
they lay on.
Moreover, you can also type precise values on lengths, angles and number of
polygon sides by using the bar in the bottom right corner. You can type
inside with your keyboard, and use the Enter key to apply.
To draw curves, you can either use the Freehand tool by clicking and
dragging, or the Arc tools by drawing arcs in different ways, depending on
the chosen tool.
Remember to use the Instructor window to get additional information on how
to use the current tool. Check it out!
When you make any mistake, you can use CTRL+Z to undo your last
actions made. You can also use the Eraser tool to delete an object from
your workspace by clicking on it.
To draw 3D objects on your workspace, you can either use the Lines tool, or
the Push/Pull tool.
Use the Lines tool to build customized 3D objects by drawing each of their own
sides and polygon faces. Consider that these subcomponents will remain
independent, and this can make your future modifications more difficult.
To group all these sides and faces together, you can enable the Select
tool and click and drag on the workspace from the right to the left, in
order to include all the object subcomponents quickly. Then this
right-click and go to Make Group. This way, the editing tools will act
on the whole 3D object and not on its subcomponents singularly.
Besides the Line tool, you can use the Push/Pull tool to get 3D objects
by adding extrusion to 2D closed shapes or faces. You just have to click
and drag to fix the extrusion level, and so the volume of the 3D object.
Pay attention that this tool does not work on 3D grouped objects, since all
its 2D faces are joined up. You have to right-click on the group and
use Explode to come back to the objects subcomponents and then apply the
Push/Pull tool on them.
SketchUp has useful aids to draw 2D and 3D objects precisely. It allows
snapping to fundamental objects key-point, such as circles for vertices,
endpoints, midpoints and centers; red squares for points on sides and
segments; and blue rhombuses for points on an area or face. In addition,
you get dotted guide line that extend critical directions which are
parallel or perpendicular.
Now, let's see how to get a great preview on your project!
You can zoom in and out on your pointer by using your mouse wheel. Enable
the Pan tool to move through your project by clicking and dragging. Use the
Orbit tool to rotate through all the three directions.
By default, all 2D objects and faces are filled with a simple white color.
If you select the area or the face with the Select tool, and go to the
Entity Info window, you can click on the second rectangle to apply your own
solid color to the object fill.
For a more advanced fill, you have to use the Materials window. These
materials change the object fill in order to make its appearance more
realistic, choosing between asphalt, brick, carpet, metal and so one. To
apply one, is browse from the list at the top, and then click on each
area or face interested. In case you have a grouped 3D object, the material
will be applied on all of its faces with one click.
You can also set the way to preview your objects by using the Styles
Toolbar, setting any transparency, fill or materials.
Now, let's see how to edit the objects on your workspace.
To start editing, you have to select the object by using the Select tool.
You can also select multiple objects by holding CTRL down, in order to edit
all of them in the same way. Click elsewhere to deselect all.
Use the Move tool to move and place the object by clicking and dragging it.
Dotted guide lines help you from following the axes direction.
Use the Rotate tool to rotate the object by fixing an anchor point, an
axis, and then the inclination angle. The rotation is made on the plane
where the goniometer is placed.
Use the Scale tool to scale an object by moving the green cube you see.
The object will be scaled through the direction fixed by the couple of
opposite cubes selected. Pay attention, that if you scale an independent
face, the whole 3D object will adapt to its new size.
Use the Offset tool to create a 2D shape by applying a fixed distance (or
offset) from an object perimeter. Just click on the area or face
interested, and then click once again to fix the offset and the shape.
While editing your objects, remember to use the Escape key to apply, or use
CTRL+Z to undo.
To cut, copy and paste an object, just select it and then use CTRL+X,
CTRL+C and CTRL+V.
SketchUp has also many drawings and annotation tools available.
Under the Components window, you can browse for a ready-made object
template that you can import inside your project by clicking and dragging
it. You can go on customizing it by right-clicking on it and going to
Explode.
To add and type any text, you have to use the Text tool.
Use the Text tools to add labels and descriptions to your objects, stating
names, length and area measurements that are adapted to the preview point
of view. You can use this tool to place text that does not move or
rotate. In this case, just type inside, and then click outside to apply.
Use 3D Text tool to design independent 2D or 3D text on your workspace.
You can find this tool inside the Construction toolbar.
When you click on this tool, you can type text under Place 3D Text,
adjusting font properties, style and size. At the bottom, choose between
3D Text and 2D Text with Extruded, and apply any fill with Filled. When you
click twice, you generate the piece of text, and you also can place it
where you like. You can edit and manage text as seen for standard
2D and 3D objects.
You can further personalize the text object by right-clicking on it and
then going to Edit Component. This allows to edit and manage each of the
single sides and faces composing the text. Once you click elsewhere, the
piece of text will be grouped again.
Now, let's see how to save and export your work! To save your project,
go to File, and then to Save As.... The SketchUp project files use a .skp
file format, saving everything from your drawings, including their
structure and properties.
Thanks for watching this video! Visit our channel and subscribe to learn
more about the most professional software out on the market!