Summary
This article goes over the basics of using SketchUp, including some best practices when getting started.
Content
SketchUp is a relatively intuitive 3d design program focused around line creation and vectors. The learning curve is fairly linear, but can be limiting for product design or 3D printing.
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* SketchUp excels with architecture and layout projects. Due to its vector-based scheme, walls do not have thickness; curves are, lines in an arc subdivided to resemble a curve. While this limits one's ability to easily create organic shapes, it enables us to draw models quickly, using simple vector tools like the Line, Arc, Push and Circle tools.
*SketchUp works best with a component-based workflow; this is often not evident while learning the basics. Remember to select and group objects as they are made to keep sections separate. It is easy to explode components to merge them if need be.
* Leverage internet resources including Lynda.com. Greater success comes with learning to efficiently use resources; if it takes more than 5-10 minutes to figure something out, cut to the chase and try quick web search. It is good practice to begin with, and is essential to have adequate resources set up as part of your workflow.
* While SketchUp Make is free (and our current supported software), the Pro version offers much greater integration with universal file formats.
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