SketchUp Essential Training teaches the basics of SketchUp's easy-to-use 3D drawing, design, and rendering tools. Learn how to navigate 3D space in SketchUp, customize the interface, and start drawing. These SketchUp tutorials are suitable for a wide variety of fields: architectural design, landscaping, engineering, and even video game design. Author George Maestri also discusses how to organize complex drawings with groups and layers, create and apply materials on Windows and Mac computers, render drawings, and create simple animations for presentation.

These tutorials work with both SketchUp Make, the free version of the program, and SketchUp Pro.

Topics include:

• Navigating SketchUp
  
• Creating camera views
  
• Configuring the toolbars on Mac and Windows
  
• Selecting, moving, and scaling objects
  
• Using the line tools for 3D drawing
  
• Creating rectangles, outlines, circles, and freehand shapes
  
• Creating 3D text
  
• Using the measurement and labeling tools
  
• Organizing drawings with groups and layers
  
• Creating components and using components from the 3D Warehouse
  
• Creating and applying materials
  
• Working with textures
  
• Rendering and animating drawings