SketchUp is a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software, and best of all the basic version is free (although the pro version is well worth the $500)!. It was designed to be more intuitive, flexible, and easier to use than other 3D CAD programs. Its a program that has come closer than any other, in capturing the feel, speed, and flexibilty of designing by hand on paper. You can accurately design every aspect of your project without being bogged down by the technology. You can create 3D models of anything you want. We are not an official training centre for sketchup, we just want to help you get started. For information on official google sketchup training go here.
Google offers a wide range of tutorials, videos and other learning tools. But it can be a bit daunting to just start learning without a bit of structure. So we’ve organized some of google's materials into a 6 day (2 hours/day) course that will give you the necessary skills to learn Sketchup and start using it.
If you have an understanding of design and already use some form of CAD software you should be able to use the software at a professional level right away after going through the tutorials we’ve organized. You’ll notice it has a slight bias towards architects (it is our background), but you can use it for modelling any sort of design project.
If you don’t have a design background you may find some of the concepts a little more difficult, but keep at it, we’ve tried to use google's tutorials and videos that are accessible to you as well.
You need the following minimum requirements:
• 600 MHz processor (2 GHz recommended)
• 128 MB RAM (2 GB recommended)
• 128 MB of available hard-disk space or more (500 MB recommended)
• 3D class Video Card with 128 MB of memory or higher. Please ensure that the video card driver supports OpenGL version 1.5 or higher
• Hi-Speed Internet Connection (to download and view the software and tutorials)
• Sound Card (to listen to the tutorials)
You can skip ahead to each lesson using the links on the right.
So let’s get started.
Google offers a wide range of tutorials, videos and other learning tools. But it can be a bit daunting to just start learning without a bit of structure. So we’ve organized some of google's materials into a 6 day (2 hours/day) course that will give you the necessary skills to learn Sketchup and start using it.
If you have an understanding of design and already use some form of CAD software you should be able to use the software at a professional level right away after going through the tutorials we’ve organized. You’ll notice it has a slight bias towards architects (it is our background), but you can use it for modelling any sort of design project.
If you don’t have a design background you may find some of the concepts a little more difficult, but keep at it, we’ve tried to use google's tutorials and videos that are accessible to you as well.
You need the following minimum requirements:
• 600 MHz processor (2 GHz recommended)
• 128 MB RAM (2 GB recommended)
• 128 MB of available hard-disk space or more (500 MB recommended)
• 3D class Video Card with 128 MB of memory or higher. Please ensure that the video card driver supports OpenGL version 1.5 or higher
• Hi-Speed Internet Connection (to download and view the software and tutorials)
• Sound Card (to listen to the tutorials)
You can skip ahead to each lesson using the links on the right.
So let’s get started.
