8 ways to learn SketchUp?!?
I'm often asked which path/tools/courses/manuals to take to learn more about SketchUp.
I've been teaching SketchUp and other programs (including Revit, V-Ray, Enscape, and AutoCAD) for about 12 years. I've written three manuals and have a YouTube channel. I work with the Italian SketchUp distributor and have participated in trade shows and live events, so many people now associate my face with SketchUp 😊, and they ask me for advice.
With this short guide, I'd like to offer some practical advice, summarizing suggestions and ideas in a clear and easy-to-use format for anyone interested.
Who's asking me this question?
Obviously, those who are new to SketchUp, but it's not uncommon for people who have been using it for years to ask me how to learn more about SketchUp, even those who need feedback, confirmation, and suggestions that are highly specific to their specific field of use (architecture? furniture? carpentry? product design? topography? etc.).
Introduction:
SketchUp has many areas of application, as it's a "horizontal" software, meaning it's suitable for use across various disciplines, and not a "vertical" one like Revit, which is specifically designed for the construction industry—a specific field and not others, such as product design.
These suggestions are therefore somewhat general: if you'd like specific suggestions, you can request a live consultation with me by filling out the form here.
me in my ideal studio
Making mistakes is the best way to learn. Marco Chiarello ;-)
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Making mistakes is the best way to learn. Marco Chiarello ;-) 〰️
How to study SketchUp?
Below are some ways to learn more about SketchUp, with links and references:
1) Paper Manuals
I wrote this other post specifically to compare some SketchUp manuals. You can also find the ones I wrote :)
2) Video Courses
I love making video courses: they're a truly communicative training method. I like to study the exercises in detail, prepare the files, and record the lessons so they're clear and concise, so I can convey a "digest" of what I know about SketchUp (and rendering). My video courses are available here.
For those who haven't taken video courses before, they're videos you can watch whenever you want. Mine average about 10 minutes long, and a course can last 20 or 30 lessons depending on the topic. So, the video course is a series of videos you can listen to, and with the material provided for each lesson, practice on your own computer.
3) Official Online Guide
The official online guide is a bit superficial: it's well-written but doesn't provide any real application examples. Therefore, I recommend turning to the manuals or video courses.
4) Live Online Consultation
I often receive requests for specific support: for example, from those who have been using SketchUp for a while but want confirmation and understanding how to improve their working method. Or from those who use V-Ray or Enscape and want definitive clarification on lighting techniques or rendering methods. Just to name a few.
If you'd like to book a live consultation with me, fill out this form. The session takes place online on my Meet platform, and can be recorded upon request so you can review and review the concepts whenever you like.
5) Practice!
It's a must! Healthy practice, also known as "banging your head"! All it takes is a little time and determination. Even starting with a few doodles (as I call them), or drawings that may be aimless but allow you to gain confidence, fearlessly clicking on any tools you come across...
You can find some step-by-step exercises on my YouTube channels (ITA and ENG), and specifically in this playlist featuring some exercises from my manual "SketchUp, in 3D per tutti".
More examples and exercises can be found on this site, in the Download Area. This section of the site is dedicated to files, links, and videos for practice.
6) Join SketchUp groups
There are some very active SketchUp groups on Facebook, for example in Italy:
SketchUp Academy Italia (my Italian FB group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/sketchupacademyitalia
Learning SketchUp??? https://www.facebook.com/groups/464261480281825
SketchUp in Structural Design https://www.facebook.com/groups/408892646478854
SketchUp Italia https://www.facebook.com/groups/SketchUpItalia
You can also find my Facebook page, where I occasionally post news and videos: https://www.facebook.com/MarcoChiarelloArchitetto/
7) Read questions and answers in the forum
The official forum is full of suggestions and ideas, you can find it here: https://forums.sketchup.com/
There are also national forums, such as the Italian one, where I have been answering users' questions for over 10 years: https://forum.sketchupitalia.it/
8) Subscribe to my YouTube channels!
You can find tips and tricks on my ENG channel > https://www.youtube.com/@marcochiarelloarchitect
And this is my Italian channel > https://www.youtube.com/c/MarcoChiarelloArchitetto
Subscribe to the channels if you want to receive notifications when I post something new!
I hope these tips help you enter the wonderful world of 3D drawing with SketchUp, and that they can help you in your work... or simply give you the fun of creating in 3D!
