Three-dimensional graphics are prominent in modern-day digital art. They are everywhere, from films and animation to design and architecture. In fact, there is a 16 percent job outlook projected for 3D modelers from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With the increasing demand, it’s crucial to hone professional skills, and there’s no better way than to learn through SketchUp tutorials.
In this article, discover the best SketchUp tutorials for beginners and advanced learners who wish to be the best in the 3D modeling field, and learn about a handful of the best free SketchUp tutorials to boot. After increasing your skill level with the easier tutorials, you can move on to the best advanced Sketchup tutorials.
Best SketchUp Tutorials for Beginners or Experts
Tutorial Name | Provider | Level |
---|---|---|
Design Package in LayOut | SketchUp | Free/Intermediate |
Getting Started in SketchUp Pro | SketchUpTrainer.com | Beginner |
How to go From SketchUp to Unity Using PBR Materials | SketchUcation | Advanced |
Learn SketchUp Online | Coursesity | Free/Beginner |
Making a Cane Pendant Lamp | SketchUp Artists | Advanced |
Playground Design | SketchUp | Advanced |
SketchUp 101 | SketchUp for Interior Designers | Free/Beginner |
SketchUp Basics | SketchUp tutorials by Daniel Tal | Beginner |
SketchUp BootCamp: Creating Interiors with SketchUp | Udemy | Free/Beginner |
SketchUp: How to Start Modeling Simple 3D Objects | Coursera | Free/Beginner |
SketchUp Level 1: Drawing & Editing Fundamentals | SketchUp School | Free/Beginner |
SketchUp Online Training | IFS Academy | Advanced |
SketchUp Pro Designer Basics | SketchUp Workflow | Advanced |
The SketchUp Essentials – The Complete Guide to 3D Modeling in SketchUp | The SketchUp Essentials | Beginner |
Your First SketchUp Model | MasterSketchUp | Beginner |
Best SketchUp Tutorials for Beginners
Getting Started in SketchUp Pro
This tutorial allows students to discover outstanding resources included in SketchUp, customize toolbars, and create a template. The course consists of seven lessons that last for 35 minutes. Users can access the first lesson for free, but the rest require a membership.
SketchUp Basics
These tutorials consist of three classes, including SketchUp Basic Tools, SketchUp Intro to Components, and SketchUp Extension Basics. Additionally, the majority of the course path and resource center run a total of three to five hours.
Interested individuals must first sign up for a membership to access the full tutorial plan. You can contact the expert who designed the courses if you have any questions and check out the blog posts on the website to learn more.
The SketchUp Essentials – The Complete Guide to 3D Modeling in SketchUp
This tutorial resource for beginners is perfect for users to learn SketchUp’s fundamental tools, specifically shaping 3D models, adding realistic materials, and using texturing tools. It also includes SketchUp modeling methods, location and terrain modeling, and modeling with extensions. This is an online course full of self-paced tutorials and video lessons that require a membership.
SketchUp Level 1: Drawing & Editing Fundamentals
In SketchUp School, discover 3D video tutorials on SketchUp’s fundamental tools and harness the power of Inference, create 3D shapes, and specify accurate dimensions. There are 15 informative lessons about fundamental drawing and editing that last two to three hours total. To watch the in-depth tutorials, users must be members of the website’s Video Course Library.
Your First SketchUp Model
Rookies in 3D modeling, this tutorial is for you. It is free and allows users to learn various SketchUp essentials, including creating 3D shapes and applying different modeling styles to make their creations stand out. The extensive video tips will help you complete your project with confidence and learn SketchUp using simple modeling steps.
Best Advanced SketchUp Tutorials
How to go From SketchUp to Unity Using PBR Materials
In these advanced and high-quality tutorials, users will learn how to build a UV map in SketchUp for Unity and make PBR textures and preset materials from photos taken on their phone or files downloaded from the Internet. The video tutorials are free and can be accessed via YouTube.
Making a Cane Pendant Lamp
This advanced tutorial will greatly benefit those who want to design a cane pendant lamp using SketchUp. Users will utilize two plugins for this tutorial, including the advanced tools Curviloft and JHS Power Bar. This is free and a self-paced lesson that will help you practice using helpful tools.
Playground Design
Discover plenty of tutorials on how to create a one-of-a-kind playground design using components as custom building blocks in this two- to three-hour tutorial. In this modeling tutorial, users will be introduced to a powerful tool in SketchUp for Schools in just hours and enjoy free step-by-step tutorial breakdowns on how to make a playground component library.
SketchUp Online Training
In this SketchUp resource for professionals, users will utilize Google SketchUp or Trimble SketchUp. It covers topics such as quick start, selection and grouping, core concepts, custom materials, design tools, navigation tools, and importing and editing textures. Users need basic knowledge of subjects like engineering graphics and civil or architecture drawing.
SketchUp Pro Designer Basics
For $99, users can learn the advanced techniques of SketchUp Pro in the quickest and most inclusive way. They will make ADU concept sketches in a basic project, and work through five lessons about the model organization. After which, users will also complete six lessons of 3D-model-to-2D-model drawings.
Best Free SketchUp Tutorials
SketchUp 101
This beginner course allows users to learn the SketchUp basics, from downloading the software to utilizing it for commands such as rectangles, lines, eraser, and select. Additionally, they will discover the SketchUp interface, a presentation tool for MAC and Windows PC users. These are self-paced tutorials, so those interested can determine when to start or finish it.
Design Package in LayOut
This SketchUp free tutorial enables users to utilize SketchUp and LayOut to establish a set of concept documents. Students of these self-paced tutorials also discover fundamentals in graphic overlays, texts, and dimensions.
Learn SketchUp Online
Using SketchUp, users will design and visualize structures, make a realistic fundamental drawing, and employ various SketchUp navigation tools such as 3D warehouse to create popular models and materials. The course has 41 basic tutorials that last for a total of three hours.
SketchUp BootCamp: Creating Interiors With SketchUp
In this bootcamp, students will undergo in-depth SketchUp training on navigating SketchUp to master interior designing for design planning and presentation. This collection of tutorials lasts five hours and can be viewed by purchasing the program on the website. Users who want to earn a certificate of completion for SketchUp should definitely check out this tutorial.
SketchUp: How to Start Modeling Simple 3D Objects
In this one-hour tutorial, interested individuals will explore excellent resources on graphic and product design using SketchUp. At the end of the lesson, users must learn using SketchUp for the web to model simple 3D objects.
SketchUp Tutorials: The Best Way to Learn SketchUp
Engaging in SketchUp tutorials using an online resource is a great avenue to explore the 3D modeling experience and become one of the best graphic and product designers in the field. SketchUp is a common tool used in architecture, engineering, and construction. According to Allied Market Research, the AEC market size is projected to reach $15,842 million by 2028, meaning this skill will be in demand.
3D modelers and special effects animators have become so in demand that their average annual wage is $77,700, according to BLS. Today, bootcamps and online webinars make learning and sharing tutorials easy. Don’t hesitate to learn the best SketchUp tutorials for beginners and advanced users to accelerate a career using software for 3D modeling.
SketchUp Tutorials FAQs
It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to learn basic SketchUp tools, depending on your level of experience. Most SketchUp tutorials are self-paced, but some are timed. It’s a personal preference of the user whether they’ll take the self-paced course or follow the tutorials within the allotted time.
Learning SketchUp is easy if you choose tutorials that offer step-by-step instructions and gradually help you navigate the software. It is also crucial to join tutorials from renowned mentors to ensure that you will be guided properly.
SketchUp is easier and more user-friendly than AutoCad, but one is not better than the other because they are different entities. AutoCAD is great for 2D and 3D mechanical, civil, and architectural engineering designs, and SketchUp excels at 3D modeling and basic object rendering.
Yes, you can learn SketchUp for free. Many SketchUp tutorials mentioned above are free and great for students, interior designers, hobbyists, and other professionals interested in 3D modeling. There are also many free tutorials and courses to help you learn other 3D modeling tools like SolidWorks.
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