Buzz
Digital 3D modeling made simple with our comprehensive guide
Easy Steps
Starting a New SketchUp File
Accessing SketchUp Web Application
Selecting Objects in 3D Work Space
Drag a Square to Select the Man
Deleting Objects from the Screen
Exploring the 3D Work Space
Navigating in the 3D Work Space
Use the Magnifying Glass Icon for Zooming
Zoom In or Out in the 3D Work Space
Utilize the Rotation Tool for Rotating
Rotate Your View in the 3D Space
Navigate with the Pan Tool
Pan in the Desired Direction
Creating 2D Shapes
Access the 'Views' Button
Choose the 'Parallel Projection' Cube
Select the Appropriate View
Access the Shape Tool
Select a Shape
Create Shapes in the 3D Work Space
Access the Line Tool
Choose the Pencil or Freehand Tool
Draw Lines with Line Tool
Add Additional Lines to Shapes
Close Shapes by Connecting to Starting Point
Transforming 2D Shapes into 3D Objects
Access the 'Views' Button
Access the 'Perspective' View Options
Adjust Your View as Needed
Select the Icon with an Arrow and Square
Activate the 'Push/Pull' Tool
Extrude Your 2D Object to Create 3D Shapes
Manipulating Objects: Move, Rotate, and Scale
Activate the Select Tool
Select the Object to Move or Scale
Access the Move Options
Utilize the Move Tool to Adjust Object Position
Manipulate objects with ease. Change an object's position effortlessly in the 3D workspace by simply clicking and dragging it using the move tool.
- Refine an object's shape by adjusting individual faces or lines within the 3D structure.
Access the rotate feature. Look for the icon featuring two circular arrows, the second option within the Move tools on the left toolbar. This function allows you to rotate objects smoothly.
Effortlessly rotate objects. Simply click and drag any object to rotate it within the 3D workspace.
- Refine object shapes by selecting and rotating individual faces as needed.
Utilize the scale tool. Locate the icon resembling a rectangle within another rectangle, accompanied by an arrow. This is the third option within the Move tools. The scale tool enables resizing objects easily.
Resize objects seamlessly. With the scale tool active, click and drag an object to adjust its size. Dragging away enlarges the object, while dragging towards shrinks it.
- Further refine object shapes by scaling individual faces. For instance, creating a cup or bucket involves sculpting a small cylinder. Resize the top face slightly larger than the base, then delete it with the delete button.
Enhancing Objects with Textures and Colors
Accessing Material Options Find the icon resembling a cube with a square pattern on one side, located in the right toolbar. This is the Materials tab, granting access to texture and color application.
Exploring Material Selection Navigate to the tab featuring a magnifying glass, the second option within the right sidebar. This section serves as the material browser.
Browsing Material Categories Choose from various material categories, including colors, patterns, brick and siding, concrete and asphalt, metal, glass and mirror, landscape, tile, stone, wood, and more.
Selecting Materials Materials are displayed with small thumbnail images in the sidebar panel to the right. Simply click on the thumbnail of the desired material to apply it.
- The free version of SketchUp offers a limited selection of materials, while the paid version provides access to a wider range.
Apply Textures to Selected Faces. Assign textures to individual faces by clicking on them. You can also use the select tool to choose the entire object and apply a material uniformly.
Preserve Your Model
Save Your Work. Locate the Save button situated in the upper-left corner of the screen. Upon the initial save, a prompt appears allowing you to name and store your file.
Access Your SketchUp Projects. Click on the SketchUp box on the 'Projects' page to access your SketchUp projects.
Organize Your Files with Folders (optional). Create different folders to categorize your saved files. To create a new folder, click on New Folder at the top of the pop-up window. This action adds a new folder to the list of files.
Name Your Folder. When creating a new folder, input a name next to the folder in your list of files.
Choose a Destination Folder. If multiple folders exist in your file list, select the one where you want to save your file.
Name Your Model. Provide a name for your model in the designated 'Name' field located at the bottom of the screen.
Save to Selected Location. Click Save Here to store the file in the chosen folder. Please allow a minute or two for the saving process.
Helpful Hints
Before starting to create a 3D model on your computer, it's beneficial to sketch it out on paper first. Utilize graph paper and draft your object from various angles, ensuring consistency across all views. For instance, when designing a character, maintain consistent features across different perspectives, avoiding discrepancies such as positioning the nose lower in a side view compared to the front model.
