Go-2-School Homepage

Mike welcomes you to the SketchUp for Everyone series

Mike tours you through the SketchUp User Interface

Learn how to use the navigation tools in SketchUp by using Keyboard Shortcuts or selecting the tool in the Large Toolbar.

Learn how to use the navigation tools in SketchUp, paying careful attention to the uses of a 3-Button Scroll Wheel mouse to navigate efficiently in the program.

Mike explains the difference between 2D and 3D SketchUp components, then shows you when to use one type versus another.

Take a tour of the 3D Warehouse as Mike shows you how to download the file for our Move Tool example.

Use the Move Tool to arrange furniture in a room, including moving and rotating objects to align them to the walls.

Mike demonstrates how to draw objects and entire rooms from scratch using the basic drawing tools in SketchUp.

Scenes are very useful for saving camera views in SketchUp. Mike shows you how scenes work and how to save scenes of your own.

Mike shows you how to create different styles for your 3D model. Learn to change the colors, the line settings and even add shadows to the model.

Learn to save image files from your SketchUp model to share with friends or colleagues.

Mike shows you how to share your model with friends or colleagues by uploading it to the Google 3D Warehouse.

Mike says goodbye!

Meet your instructor, Nic Stanislao! Nic explains the few things that you'll need in order to get started with the Google Earth for Everyone lessons.

There are a ton of ways to make your way around Google Earth. In this lesson, Nic demonstrates how to fly anywhere you please using either the mouse, the compass tools or the keyboard.

Learn how to effectively search for and manage places within Google Earth. This can be helpful for finding existing data within Google Earth such as businesses, driving directions, weather and more.

Google Earth's true power is in its ability to accept user imported data. In this lesson, learn how to add your own data to Google Earth. Nic covers adding folders with placemarks, polygons, paths and 3D models to the Google Earth terrain.

Creating presentations within Google Earth is easy. Nic demonstrates how to use the tour functionality to create a dynamic presentation within Google Earth.

Once you've visualized a data set in Google Earth, you might want to share the information. Nic explains multiple strategies for sharing detailed information from Google Earth including printing and emailing.

Learn how to take a data set in a spreadsheet and import it to be visualized in Google Earth. In this example, Nic imports a spreadsheet of property addresses into Google Earth and then analyzes the data set using measurement tools. Finally, Nic takes a quick tour through Google Sky.

Before you get started creating your LayOut presentation document, its a good idea to set up your template and tool palette. Mike begins by explaining how to customize your tool bar to include frequently used tools. After that, he demonstrates how to navigate around your LayOut model using the zoom and pan functions.

Mike beings this lesson by showing you how to add pages in LayOut before moving on to demonstrate how to insert SketchUp models into those pages. Learn to size, rotate, move and even orbit the SketchUp models right within your LayOut document.

In order to create an Elevation view in LayOut, you'll need to master these steps. Mike shows you how to set up a custom view and scale for your elevation. Also, learn to add new pages and move copies of your elevation images to those new pages.

In LayOut, you are able to select custom Scenes and Styles from your SketchUp model. Learn how to select from these custom settings and how to adjust them as well.

In this chapter, Mike demonstrates how to open and edit a reference SketchUp file from LayOut. Follow-along as Mike adjusts styles, scenes and animations within SketchUp and then updates that file reference within LayOut.

LayOut comes with several preset title block templates that you can edit and customize for your specific project. Mike demonstrates how to accomplish this as well as how to add and edit custom text. Finally, Mike will show you how to manage these text and title elements using Layers.

When it comes to annotating your LayOut document, you'll want to learn how to create your own custom labels using the text, shape and line editing tools. Mike works through an example that combines these tools to show you how to create the right look for all labels and text in your LayOut document.

Scrapbooks in LayOut are similar to Components in SketchUp - they are libraries of pre-made objects that you can use to populate your LayOut document quickly and easily. Mike shows you the power of using the Scrapbooks feature, including how to access preset labels, people, colors, line weights and more.

LayOut comes with a set of drawing tools, including shape, line and arc tools that can be combined to create just about anything you need to draw in the program. Learn to create custom shapes, as well as use the Slice and Glue tools to edit those shapes. Finally, Mike will show you how you can create a clipping mask from the custom shape.

Much like PowerPoint, LayOut can be used to play a slide show of your drawings. Mike will show you how to give a presentation and will teach you how to orbit, play animations and make notations during the slide show. Finally, Mike demonstrates how to save your LayOut document to a PDF or other image file type.

Mike quickly demonstrates how to draw lines using the Pencil Tool, explaining the right and wrong way to use the mouse in SketchUp. He and Alex also explain how to undo and redo certain modeling steps in SketchUp - including the use of the Escape key to quit a modeling operation in progress. Finally, learn to draw precise lines by typing measurement information into the Value Control Box.

SketchUp is all about surfaces and edges. In this tutorial, Mike explains how to draw and erase edges, how to create and erase surfaces, and how to fix any problems caused when you accidentally erase a surface or an edge.

Mike quickly explains how to use the Polygon Tool to draw polygons with precise dimensions.

Mike quickly explains how to use the Circle Tool to draw circles with precise dimensions.

Learn all about how to use the Model Info window to specify the measurement units  for your SketchUp file, and also how to change the measurements of objects in your file using the Value Control Box. Also, learn to use the Entity Info window to edit the radius or number of sides for a circle.

Alex demonstrates the difference between Perimeter and Shared edges in SketchUp. This visual cue will be very important for learning to edit geometry in your SketchUp models.

In order to create more complex shapes, you often need to use one tool in combination with another. In this example, we use the Rectangle Tool and Arc Tool to draw shapes that intersect each other, and then show how to erase away excess geometry to create the final desired shape.

A quick and easy demonstration of how to use the Freehand Line tool in SketchUp.

Mike uses the Move Tool to move endpoints, edges and surfaces. Learn how to hover the move tool cursor over your 3D model to actively highlight elements you want to move.

In this tutorial, Mike and Alex explain how to use the Select Tool in SketchUp to preselect endpoints, edges, surfaces and entire 3D models before using the Move Tool to move those specific preselected elements. Also, we show you how to move objects precise distances by typing measurements into the Value Control Box.

In this example, Mike uses a wide variety of tools to show how to perform basic editing on existing geometry.

Alex talks more about using various tools to modify and add to existing geometry.

Mike shows how to get started drawing in 3D and Alex shows a way to troubleshoot your model when surfaces aren't created due to non-coplanar points.

Mike introduces the push/pull tool and shows how it can be used with inference points to create holes and other geometry.

This chapter is all about face orientation. Alex describes how to use reverse faces, orient faces, and intersect with model, to make sure that all of your faces and the proper direction. Mike shows how face orientation can affect the double click shortcut for the push/pull tool.

Mike demonstrates the basics of how the move tool behaves when working in 3d.

Mike shows how to use the move tool in 3d to perform advanced manipulation of existing geometry. He shows to use the move tool in combination with auto-folding and/or specific selection points to easily create complex geometry.

By starting a very basic house shape, Mike demonstrates how to use the pencil and move tools in combination with inference locking to match slopes and perform other tricks. Also Alex shows how to use inference locking to align circles, rectangles, and polygons with other surfaces.

Mike uses various techniques and tools to continue the basic house by adding windows, doors, overhangs, and a driveway and sidewalk.

Mike shows how to create a component for part of the picket fence for our house.

Mike continues the fence for our house by making a copy of the fence posts component and moving it into position.

To continue our picket fence, Mike shows how to make repeating copies of objects using arrays. Alex also offers a quick tip explaining the difference between escaping a command and undoing a command.

Mike and Alex demonstrate how components make editing a large number of the same objects quick and easy.

Alex shows how to make a component unique in order to make changes to a single object without affecting the other instances of that component. He uses this method to create a different post for the start of our fence.

Mike shows how to create the fence on the other side of the driveway by making copies of the existing fence posts and using the flip along command to make it face the correct direction.

Mike puts the finishing touches on our simple house by adding decoration and details through the materials and components browsers.

Mike uses a combination of tools to draw a two story model of a house with a hipped roof. Learn how to use the Tape Measure Tool and Protractor Tool to create precise construction lines to design the roof.

Alex shows you how to use the Follow Me Tool to build a hipped roof.

Alex shows you how to fix a hole created by using the Follow Me Tool to build a hipped roof. The trick - use the Pencil Tool to "heal" the surface, then use the Follow Me Tool to create the rest of the roof.

Alex shows you how to use the Intersect Selected command to clean-up and erase excess geometry created by using the Follow Me Tool to build a hipped roof.

Learn how to manage more complex models by making groups of geometry. This will prevent things in your SketchUp model from sticking to each other, and will help you keep your model generally organized and efficient.

Alex gives you a quick tip for editing groups in SketchUp.

Mike teaches you how to create your own window component and add it to the side of a new house. He also explains how to line the windows up on the wall using the Tape Measure tool and demonstrates why these window components end up gluing themselves to the outer wall.

There's no need to model everything yourself - why not use some pre-made SketchUp components to speed up your workflow? In this lesson, learn how to find components that you need from within your Component Browser or the Google 3D Warehouse. Once you've found the right components, Mike shows you how to effectively add them to your model, edit all of the components simultaneously, and even make specific edits to specific components without altering the rest. To illustrate this example, Mike is adding several windows and sky lights to a new home design.

Alex helps you Unglue a window component from the wall of a house. Be careful though - he'll show you how your window might lose the ability to cut through the wall once it is unglued.

Learn to evaluate a number of design options quickly using the Component Reload function. Alex shows Mac users how to reload new components.

Learn to evaluate a number of design options quickly using the Component Reload function. Alex shows PC users how to reload new components.

There are a ton of great components already pre-built - some come with the SketchUp application, and millions more are available via the Google 3D Warehouse. No matter where you find the component, you can always make edits and changes so that it better suits your needs. In this lesson, Mike shows you how to take a wooden bench and edit the pieces of the bench to shorten it.

Follow Me Tool Tip: Learn to create an ornate planter

Follow Me Tool Tip: Learn to create a sphere

Follow Me Tool Tip: Learn to create stairs and a handrail

Follow Me Tool Tip: Learn to create a Wavy Wall

In this example Mike imports a photo of Villa Savoye and demonstrates how to use SketchUp's Photo Match feature to set the proper perspective for the 3D model and to map the photo to the 3D model. This tutorial is a great way to learn how to quickly generate 3D models from existing images or photos.

Your SketchUp model knows where in the world it is - if you tell it! Learn how to set your model's location using an address or latitude and longitude information. Once you've set up your custom location, you're ready to turn on the shadows and create a shadow study for different times of the day and year.

We take closer look at SketchUp's Camera Tools to create a custom animated tour of the model. Learn how to position your camera, walk around the model and save Scenes - or preset views - of the model that you can use later to create an animated tour.

Need to make a change to one of the camera angles in your tour or animation? No problem - Mike will show you how to update a scene properly to take advantage of new view choices for a scene in your tour

Once you've created a tour consisting of several scenes, you are able to export a movie file of that tour. In this lesson, we'll show Mac users some suggested settings for exporting an animation file to share or present to others.

Once you've created a tour consisting of several scenes, you are able to export a movie file of that tour. In this lesson, we'll show PC users some suggested settings for exporting an animation file to share or present to others.

Mike welcomes you to the SketchUp and CAD series of lessons.

Use the Google 3D Warehouse to download the file for the SketchUp and CAD lessons to follow.

Learn to turn off the perspective of your SketchUp model so that you can export scaled CAD drawings.

Mike shows you how to align your elevation views so that you can export those elevations as CAD drawings.

The Section Tool is used to prepare Section Slices of your 3D model for export to 2D CAD plan or elevation files. Mike explains how to use the Section Tool including tips and tricks for editing and viewing section cuts of your model.

Mike works with Section Cuts and Display Modes to prepare the 3D model for exporting CAD data.

Mike shows you how to export CAD files from a 3D SketchUp model.

Mike shows you how to successfully import CAD files, including showing you how to properly set the import preferences.

Once you've imported CAD files, you'll want to set the scale or drawing units. Mike shows you how to accomplish this using the Tape Measure Tool to resize the model.

Mike demonstrates how to take the imported CAD plan and rotate and move it into place. Learn to stand the flat Elevations up in the vertical direction.

Now that we've imported a 2D CAD plan and lined it up to reference later in the modeling process, its time to prepare the file to be converted into 3D.

There are a number of powerful plugins - or additional functionality - for SketchUp on the market. And many of them are free! They are called Ruby Scripts, and in this lesson Mike shows you where to find Ruby Scripts that will help you model more efficiently from CAD drawings. Mike also shows you how to download and install the plugins that will help you complete the rest of the lessons in this series.

This one will save your 3D modeling life: Don't trace over CAD lines to make surfaces and faces in SketchUp! Use the Make Faces plugin to save days of your time - Mike shows you how in this lesson.

When you import a CAD file, you might try to create surfaces inside all of the lines and edges. No matter the method you use, often some faces or surfaces just won't seem to fill in! Mike explains how two plugins might be useful in helping trouble shoot the offending lines and edges: Label Stray Lines and Make Faces. These two plugins are big time savers - sometimes sparing you several days of tedious work.

One of the most important things you can do when it comes to working with CAD files within SketchUp is learn to model walls accurately and efficiently. There are a number of different ways to accomplish this, but we think Mike's come up with one of the best methods out there: Learn to use the Rectangle Tool, Move Tool and the Push Pull Tool to get a set of Exterior Walls modeled ASAP.

When you work with CAD, you end up importing often unnecessary layers. It's important to delete the unneeded stuff and start specifying your own layer management system right away to keep your 3D model organized. Mike introduces the topic of layer management in this lesson and shows you how to begin putting the exterior walls of a small house on their own layer in SketchUp.

If you've already seen chapter 15 on creating Exterior Walls, then this one will be a breeze! If not, dive into this short lesson on how to take wall information from a CAD plan and literally pull it up into a set of 3D interior walls.

Mike gives you a quick pep talk about layer management and keeping your groups organized in different layers. Don't skip this quick insight - it will save you hours of frustration later!

Mike demonstrates how to model an accurate floor, foundation and footing for a small house.

Drawing a roof in SketchUp can be a pain if you don't plan carefully. Luckily, Mike has a couple of tricks up his sleeve: In this lesson, learn how to use the Pencil Tool to draw an accurate profile, and then the Follow Me Tool to quickly generate accurate roof geometry. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a fully modeled lid to this new home - all without needing the actual roof plan!

One of the easiest ways to work quickly with different groups and layers in SketchUp is to be able to quickly show and hide items in the model. Mike will show you how to use the Hide Rest of the Model command to more easily work on the roof. Also, learn how to set your own keyboard shortcut for the Hide command.

When working with CAD files in SketchUp, taking time for clean-up throughout the modeling process is always a good idea. Mike teaches you how to clean up some extra edges and surfaces in the model of the roof, then also shows you how to do some similar clean up on the Exterior Walls and Interior Walls.

Once you model all of the walls from your CAD drawings, you'll want to cut the openings for the windows and doors. In this lesson, Mike shows you how to reference CAD files for height and width information. He also demonstrates an easy Push Pull Tool trick for breezing through multiple window and door cutouts.

Mike begins to build the deck and will show you some of his priceless tricks for quickly and accurately modeling the staircase. For good measure, he'll show you how to add the retaining wall below the deck and the planter - all from the information he's referencing from the CAD plan and elevation drawings.

Landscape Architects and Designers - this lesson is definitely for you! Mike shows you how to take the CAD plan and elevation for a patio and trellis, and turn the 2D drawings into a 3D model. There are a handful of ticks in this segment that will save you hours and maybe even days of time!

So you need to add windows to your house design, but you're having trouble finding the right size? Never fear: Mike shows you how some window companies are using SketchUp's Dynamic Component functionality to program a ton of configurable options into one component model. Learn how to download one dynamic component of a window and configure it to fit exactly to the dimensions in your elevation file.

Looking for the perfect toilet, refrigerator or door to specify in your new home design? Mike shows you where to look for real-world products on the Google 3D Warehouse, how to download them to your computer and how to properly add them to your 3D home design.

Bathroom Designers, this lesson is for you. Mike demonstrates how to take real world materials from the Google 3D Warehouse and add them to your model. Learn how to find and specify floor tile, wall tile and other materials.

Mike reviews the house that has been created from CAD plans and shows a number of components and materials that he has added to the interiors to finish the design. Take a look at many of the products that he's added from the Google 3D Warehouse and try your hand at designing the last empty room.