SKETCHUP 2013 MANUAL

Sketchup the Swiss Army Knife of Engineering, Architecture and 3D Modelling

What Sketchup Can Do

SketchUp is a multipurpose software that can be used on a wide range of applications and is being used by many
professionals. It is simple to use, intuitive and incredibly fast. Once you get to know the all the capabilities of
SketchUp you will surely love it. The following is just a list of what SketchUp can do.

3D Modeling- Sketchup is mainly a 3D modelling software it can create regular geometric shapes to complex
mountain terrain. It is a fast modeling software and very intuitive on the commands

Animation- SketchUp has an animation feature which can allow you to present simple all around visualization of
a project. It also has the capability to create construction animation sequence where it shows the piece by piece
construction of a building. By using additional plugins more complex movements can be accomplished.

Photo Editing- Sketchup can also function as a simple photo editing software with simple cropping, stitching of
pictures, color and contrast adjustments and since it is done in 3D it is easier to incorporate 3D models into the
picture which is difficult to accomplish in Photoshop or GIMP.

Google Earth Terrain Downloader-Sketchup has the capability of importing the satellite imagery and 3D terrain
of google earth. If you have ever used Google Earth and noticed the 3D terrain of the mountains Sketchup can
literally download the terrain in 3D and incorporate it into your model another great thing about it is that it
automatically joins Downloaded Google terrain features

Construction Documents- Sketchup can produce beautiful construction documents by using the Layout feature
of sketchup.

Photo 3D modeling-This is the magic feature of sketchup what it can basically do is that a 3D model is produced
from a picture. And the picture is then used as a texture of your model.
LET’S GET STARTED

CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING THE SKETCHUP INTERFACE

EDGES AND FACES

SketchUp is a surface modeler which means that it is made up of thin surfaces that we shall call as faces the
faces join together to present a 3d model where the inside of the model is hollow. Edges are lines that are
drawn on the model and will form a face once a closed space is made

Note: Faces are always flat and will require at least 3 edges to be formed,

PARTS OF SKETCHUP

MENU BAR

TOOL BARS

PALETTES

MODELLING
WINDOW

STATUS BAR

NAVIGATING IN 3D VIEW

PARTS OF SKETCHUP

Modelling Window- This is your window to the 3d world generated by sketchup and this is where most of the
work is done in sketchup.

Menu Bar- is composed of a list of options, commands,settings and many more.

Palettes- These contain information regarding the model and setting adjusters.

Status Bar- these contains information as to what you are doing. It can contain distance or angle measurements
or it can guide you on commands that you are trying to do.

Toolbars- These contain icons that can activate a command. Upon opening sketchup you can see several
toolbars on the upper portion of your screen. You can add additional toolbars as you need and arrange them
according to your work preference.
ZOOMING

1. Open SketchUp and start running the program

2. You shall see a man standing in the middle with red, green and blue axis beside him.
3. Move the cursor over the man and roll the MMB forward
4. Next try to roll the MMB backward
5. Move the cursor near the left border of your screen and try rolling your mouse
6. Try to move the cursor over the other parts of the screen and observe what happens when you roll
the mouse

Note: SketchUp zooms to where the cursor is pointed. As you go along try to notice the difference of
zooming to a far entity and to an entity close to you.

Orbiting, Panning and Axis Tilting

1. Panning-Hold down your MMB and press shift notice what happens as you move your cursor.
2. Orbiting-Hold down your MMB(Middle Mouse Button) and observe what happens as you move your
cursor up-down and right-left. Notice the location of the red, green and blue axis. In orbiting always
remember that the center of orbit is the center of your modelling window regardless of where your
cursor is.
3. Axis tilting-Hold down your MMB and press ctrl notice what happensto the horizon and the blue axis as
you move your cursor.

What to do if you are lost.

1. In the event that you are lost in what you are doing press shift z and notice how you modeling
window zooms to the model you are doing. Try to do this now.

Customizing Sketchup

Every 3d Modeler has different workflow and preference on how he wants his modeling to appear. In this
section we are going to modify the appearance of Sketchup to suit your working preference.
Model Info

1. In the menu bar choose windows then click on

Model Info.
2. A new palette called model info will appear and in
it are several options that you can modify
3. Click on statistics.
4. Check the show nested components and choose
entire model
5. Sketchup now displays all the summary of the
quantity of entities that you have in your
sketchup model.
Note: try to limit the no. of edges that you are
going to place in your model.
6. Click on units
7. For the activities to be discussed in this module.
Adjust your unit to the following setting. Change
the values to the desired setting by clicking on
the black triangles to show the options that you
have.
8. Leave the other items as it is for now.

Entity Info

1. In the menu bar choose windows then LMB click

on entity info.
2. A new palette will appear called entity info. LMB
click on the man. The entity info palette will
provide the information about the entity you just
selected.
3. LMB click on the title bar of your palette and
notice how it minimizes to a title bar.
4. LMB click again on the entity info title bar to
maximize it.
5. LMB hold down your cursor over the Entity Info
Title bar and drag it to the upper right corner of
your modeling window. Then release the LMB
Styles

1. In the menu bar choose(window>styles)

2. A new palette called styles will appear.
3. There are many styles that you can
choose from try to explore these
different styles in the future.
4. But for now let us choose simple style
by clicking the LMB on it.
5. LMB click on the edit
6. 5 setting options will appear the first
one is the edge setting, and it provides
the option that you have as to the
appearance of your lines.
7. Check the edges and endpoints set a
value for your endpoints, 9 is a good
value.
8. You can also modify the color of your
lines by clicking on the black square
but for now let us leave it as black.
Leave the rest unchecked.
9. LMB click on the next box, the face
settings. Choose display shaded using
textures. Leave the rest as is.
10. LMB click on the next box the
background settings.
11. LMB click on the green square. A new
palette called choose color will appear.
12. Set the picker to RGB (RGB stands for
red green and blue)
13. Change the values of R, G and B.
14. Set everything to zero notice that the
background changes to a black color
15. Set everything to 255 and notice that
the preview changes to a white color.
16. Change the picker to color wheel
17. This is another option of adjusting the
color option. You can click anywhere
on the color wheel to adjust the color.
Try clicking on the center of the circle.
Click on the darkness bar located
beside it, adjust the darkness until you
obtain a grayish background.
18. To accept the new settings simply click ok. Notice how adjusting the values you would be able to attain
different colors. The concept is very similar to color combinations of red, green and blue.
Inferences

SketchUp has a feature called inferences that guides you in drawing lines along the red, green and blue axis. It
can also detect the end midpoint intersection perpendicularity and parallelness of lines. It automatically detects
a face and intersection of faces.

Let us start drawing NOTE: the select command of

sketchup is the space bar

Drawing a line:

1. Type L to change your cursor to a line tool like the one

shown in here.
2. Click on a blank portion of your screen and drag the
cursor parallel to the red axis until a red line appears
3. You have the option of Holding down shift as you
continue dragging the cursor and notice how it locks the
line along your axis and the appearance of a green guide
line. Simply click again the LMB to end making your line.
Note: you can snap/align this green guide line to an
external reference. This is called constraining
4. You also have the option of specifying the distance. Type
2 then enter. Notice that the line changed to a length of2. Constrained (shift is held down)
Try typing 3 and notice how your constructed line
changes in length. Note in SketchUp you have the
option to specify the length even after you have
constructed the line.

Accuracy in length

1. Move your pencil cursor near the end of your

constructed line notice the appearance of a circle and
the text end. (SketchUp automatically detects the
geometry on your model like ends, midpoint, faces
etc…..) Option and activity bar
2. Drag your cursor parallel to the green axis and wait
until a green line will appear. Notice how the value of
your measurement bar changes as you drag your
cursor Measurement Bar
3. Type your desired distance example 3. The
measurement box will show the text 3 and upon
pressing enter a new line will be created and it is 3 m
long. (You have now created a line that is 3 m long)

Note: Option and activity bar indicates the additional

options that you can do in a command. It also provides
information on the next step in a command.
Constraining

1. Draw a third line starting from the end of one of

your previous line.
2. Slowly drag the cursor parallel to the red axis
3. Notice that as you get near the end of the first
line a green guide line will automatically
appear.
4. You can use this guide line as to where you will
end the line by clicking the LMB.
5. In case no guide line appears try moving your
cursor near the start of the first line you have
drawn. What this does is it tells SketchUp that
you are trying to make a reference to that
point.
6. A green guide line will appear
7. Complete your rectangle by drawing a fourth
line. Notice that a face is automatically created.
8. (if no face is created some of your lines is not
located on the same plane)

Guiding

1. Sometimes it becomes difficult to draw the

lines along the different red, green and blue
axis. By using the directional keys you can tell
SketchUp as to which axis you want to draw a
line.
2. You can also use the directional keys to guide
your command as to the direction of your
command.

Trimming

1. Create two lines that intersect each other

2. Activate the selection tool by pressing the
space bar.
3. Select one of the line and notice that the
intersection of the two lines acted as a divider
for the two lines.
4. That is why you can select one of the edges as a
separate entity.
5. Select one of the edges then press delete.
6. Delete the other 3 edges for now and go back
to the square you just created.

Note: SketchUp has sticky geometry where lines and faces tend to stick together.
Push pull

1. Press P to activate the push pull.

2. LMB click your cursor on the face you just
created. Drag the cursor upward or downwards
and notice what it can do.
3. Click the LMB to end your push pull.
4. You can type a specific distance as to how much
the face will be extruded, you can change the
value as needed as long as you are not going to
enter another command.
5. Try the push pull on the other faces.
6. Try repeating the same procedure but this time
try to press ctrl. Notice that a (+) sign will appear
on the cursor, try to push pull another face
7. Notice that it creates new geometry from your
face.

Undo and Redo

1. Just like other software SketchUp uses the ctrl z

and ctrl y for undo and redo.

Understanding how faces work

1. Draw a line from edge to edge on one of the

faces.
2. Notice that there are now two faces that were
created and the line that you constructed acted
as a slicing line of the face
3. Select one of the faces and press delete.
4. Just like our earlier discussion you can now see
the hollowness of your model.
5. Draw another line over one of the edges of the
deleted face.
6. Notice that the face automatically reappears.
7. Remember that every time a closed loop of lines
are made on the same plane a face will
automatically appear.
One, Two and Triple Click selection.

1. Press the space bar to activate the selection

tool.
2. Select another face by a single click
3. Try selecting another face using a double click
(Notice that the bounding edges were
included in the selection)
4. Try selecting another face using a triple click
(Notice that the all the lines and faces that
were interconnected were included in the
selection)

Box Selection and Shift Selection

1. Press the space bar to activate the selection

tool.
2. Hold down the LMB from the left side of your
screen and drag it diagonally to the right side.
Then release. A rectangular box will be formed
and upon release of the LMB all entities that
are completely located inside the box will be
selected. Entities that are partially bounded by
the rectangle will not be selected
3. Hold down the LMB from the right side of your
screen and drag it diagonally to the left side.
Then release. . A rectangular box will be
formed and upon release of the LMB all
entities that are completely and partially
located inside the box will be selected. Entities
that are partially and completely bounded by
the rectangle will be selected.

Multiple Selection and Deselection

1. Press the space bar to activate the selection

command.
2. Hold down the shift key and notice that ± sign
will be appearing beside your selection tool.
3. If you select several entity while holding down
the shift key you would be able to select
multiple items, selecting an already selected
item will result to deselection.
4. To deselect everything simply click on a blank
area on your modeling window or click
another entity.
Moving Entities (method 1)

1. Type M to activate your move tool.

2. Select a line and click any part of your modelling window.
3. Move your mouse around and notice how it moves your
selected line around.
4. As you move your mouse around SketchUp will
automatically detect the red, green, and blue axis.
5. If your desired axis is detected by SketchUp you can drag
the cursor along the detected axis.
6. Try holding down the shift and notice that it locks the
cursor along the axis.
7. Another option is to try pressing the up directional key
and notice how it guides the movement of your line in
the blue axis.
8. You can type the distance to indicate how much the line
will move, you can change the distance by retyping as
long as you have not changed your command.

Note: SketchUp relies on sticky geometry that is why the

faces were also stretched during the process. You can move
points, lines, faces, groups and components.

Moving Entities (method 2)

1. Using the select command, select a line you wish to

move.
2. Type M to activate your move tool.
3. Move the line with the help of the directional keys, type
the distance if needed.

Copying Entities

1. While still in the move command try pressing the ctrl. A +

sign beside your move icon will appear. Notice that it
creates a copy of the line you selected earlier.
2. The selected line was copied and you can use directional
keys to guide the direction of your copied line.
3. If needed you can type the distance of your copied entity
from the original location.

Note: Moving entities is very similar to copying entities where

you can type the distance, guide the direction using directional
keys, and constraining the movement using the shift key.
Copying several entities

1. Press Ctrl Z to undo the copying command.

2. Press the space bar to return to the selection
tool. Triple click the box that you made to select
the entire box. Or you can use a selection box
3. Type M then press ctrl and click any part of the
screen to serve as your reference point.
4. Drag your cursor along the red axis and type a
distance (example 6)
5. You have now copied the selected entity along
the red axis at a distance of 6mfrom your
reference point.

Making Groups

1. Press the space bar and Select the box closest

to the origin by using a triple click.
2. Right click on the selected geometry and
choose group. Notice that the selected entities
are now clustered together and you can no
longer select a face or a line. On the group you
just made
3. Double click the group that you have just
created and notice how the surrounding of your
model have blurred out and you can now select
a face or an edge. What happened is that you
are now inside the group and the only things
that you can select are the entities inside your
group. Entities located outside the group
cannot be selected
4. To get outside of the group, simply activate the
selection tool and click outside the outline of
the dashed box.
Making Components

Components are like clones where in if you edit

one component, copies of that component are
also edited. Example application of it is on
windows let’s say you have a building that have
50 identical windows and there are changes to be
made on the window. If the windows are copies
of a component, editing one of the windows will
automatically update changes on the other similar
components. Select the entities you wish to turn
into a component.

1. Right click on the selected item and

choose make component
2. A create component will appear like the
one shown.
3. You can change the name as you desire
(example window type 1, door 1)it all
depends on the type of component you
are making or you can simply leave it as it
is and allow sketchup give a default name.
4. You have additional options which you
can modify according to your choosing.
But for now let us leave the setings like
the one shown on the right.
5. Click on create to create the component.

Editing Components

1. Using the copy command (ctrl M) create a

copy of the component.
2. Double click on one of the components
to get inside the component
3. Using the push pull command, extrude
one of the faces
4. Notice that the copy of the component is
automatically updated as you modify the
component.

Difference of a group and a component

1. Unlike groups editing a copy of a group

will not update the other copies of that
group.
2. Try creating a copy of a group and modify
one of the copies to see what I mean
Clustering

You can turn several group or component into a

cluster of group or component, or make a cluster
of components or cluster of groups into a much
larger cluster of components or groups.

1. Create several copies of your group or

component.
2. Select several groups by using the
selection tool and pressing shift (multiple
selection). Or use a selection box.
3. Right click over the selected entities and
choose make group or make component.

Note: You have now turned the selected groups or

components as a group or component

Paste in Place

Paste in place is one of my favorite functionality of

SketchUp. It allows you to take an entity from one
group or component and place it in another group
or component or outside of a group or component
to be located at the same spot.

1. Make a group or component composed of

several groups or components or lines and
faces
2. Go inside your group or component by a
double click.
3. Select an entity
4. Click on edit and choose cut. Your
selected entity will then disappear
5. Get out of the group or component.
6. Go to edit and choose Paste in Place.

Note. The entity was now taken out of the group

and placed outside of the group. You can do a
paste in place inside another group or component.
This functionality is very useful in transferring
entities inside a group or component into another
group or component. Under the edit in the menu
bar there exist additional options like cut and
paste try to use these functions and notice its
difference from cut and paste in place.
Explode

1. Select a group or component.

2. Right click over the selected group or
component and choose explode

Note: The explode command turns a group or

component back into its original parts.

Offset

1. Open your SketchUp Program.

2. Create a 3 by 4 m rectangle.
3. Press F to activate the offset tool bar
4. Left click on a face and drag the cursor
away from the center of the face.
5. A set of lines in the shape of a rectangle
will be formed.
6. Type the distance as to how much the
perimeter of the face will be offset.
7. You can type again the distance in case
you have changed your mind as to how
much the offset should be. As long as you
have not changed your command.

Note: if you drag the cursor towards the center

the perimeter will be offset towards the center.

Arcs and Circles

1. Open sketchup
2. Type C to activate the circle command.
3. Click on your modeling window and drag
your cursor.
4. A circle will be drawn as you drag your
cursor.
5. Type your desired radius example 2 or
click on the part where you want the
circumference to end.
6. Type again another value say 5. Notice
how the radius of your circle changes.
Arc

1. Open skecthup
2. Type A to activate your arc command
3. Click on your modeling window then click
another location.
4. A straight line will be drawn and as you
drag your cursor the generated line curves
with the cursor.
5. Type your desired offset or click on the
part where you want to offset to.

Modifying an arc or a circle

1. Select the edge of your circle or arc.

2. Right click on it and choose entity info.
3. A new palette called entity info will appear
and it contains information regarding your
arc
4. Try to change the number of segments into
3 then enter
5. Your circle has now changed to a triangle.
6. Try to change the number of segments into
5 then enter.
7. Your circle has now changed to a
pentagon.

Note. SketchUp cannot generate a curve but it can

create a series of straight lines that create the
illusion of a curve. By changing the number of
segments we are indicating as to how many
straight lines will compose your arc or circle. The
more segments you have the finer your arc will
appear.

Creating a Cylinder

1. Push pull the circle you have drawn

upwards by 3m.
2. Activate the hidden geometry if it is not
active. Go to (view>hidden geometry) to
be able to activate it.
3. If hidden geometry is active you would be
able to view the vertical lines that
constitute your face.
Softening Edges

SketchUp represents a curved surface by softening

an edge.

1. Press the space bar.

2. Triple click your cylinder right click on it
and choose soften/smooth edges
3. A new palette called soften edges will
appear
4. Adjust the slider to 180 degrees and notice
how the edges of your cylinder were
softened.
5. Notice how the edges of your cylinder
seems to behave like a curved surface as
can be seen by the shading.
6. Adjust the slider to 0 and notice how your
edges change into solid lines
7. Notice how your faces behave like plane
surfaces.
Rotating entities (External Pivot)

1. Create a group or component.

2. Select an entity you wish to rotate.
3. Press Q and notice how your cursor changes
to the following icon.
4. Choose a pivot reference.
5. Drag your cursor along any of the red or
green axis.
6. Slowly move the cursor and notice how your
selected entity rotate with respect to the
pivot reference
7. Notice the changing of value in your
measurement bar. Type your desired angle
or slowly move the mouse until you reach
the desired angle.
8. For our example type 90 then enter
9.

Rotating entities (internal Pivot)

1. Activate the move command and move your

cursor over a group. When your cursor is
over a group 4 red crosses will appear.
2. Move your cursor over one of these crosses
and click on it.
3. Move you cursor and notice how the group
or component rotate.
4. Notice the changing of value in your
measurement bar. Type your desired angle
or slowly move the mouse until you reach
the desired angle.

Rotation Plane locking

The rotation tool automatically adjusts in

orientation depending on the face it is located on. If
you wish to lock the orientation of your rotation tool
place your rotation tool over a face where you want
your orientation to be. Hold down the shift key and
as you drag your cursor the rotation tool is locked in
orientation.
Follow me

1. Create a rectangle oriented vertically.

2. Draw a path and connect the path to the
rectangle.
3. Using the selection tool with the shift key
held down, select the path you have
created.
4. Click on the icon like the one shown in here,
5. Click on the rectangular face. And the
rectangular face will follow the path you
selected face.

Follow me (alternative method)

1. Create a rectangle oriented vertically.

2. Draw a path and connect the path to the
rectangle.
3. LMB click on the icon like the one shown in
here,
4. Move your cursor following the direction of
your path.
5. LMB click on the point where you want to
end the follow me
Multiple Copying

1. After copying a certain entity at a certain

distance type 10x and notice that the copying
was done ten times.

Rotated multiple copying

1. Select a group or component.

2. Press Q to activate the rotate tool.
3. Press ctrl and notice the addition of a + sign
on your cursor
4. Rotate your selected group or component.
5. Type 10x and notice that the copying was
done ten times.

Note. This is ideal for repetitive actions like fence

post, columns or railings.

Guide lines.

Guide lines are dashed lines that serve as a guide

when you are drawing your model.

1. Type T to change your icon to a tape

measure.
2. LMB click to an existing edge and drag it
along any of the axis you want.
3. LMB click again on the place where you want
to place your guide line.
4. Type 2 or any number then press enter to
specify the distance of your guide line from
the edge.

Guide Point

1. Type T to change your icon to a tape

measure.
2. LMB click on the corner and drag it along any
of the axis you want.
3. LMB click again on the place where you want
to end your guide line.
4. A guide line is created starting from the
corner you choose and will end with a guide
point.

Note: Guides serves as a reference when you create

your models.
Scaling

1. Type S to change your icon to a scaling tool.

2. Click on a group or component.
3. Green grips will appear, try to click any of these
grips and notice how your model behaves as
you drag the cursor.
4. Notice the measurement bar indicating the
scale factor. You can specify the amount of
scaling by typing the desired scale factor, then
press enter

Mirroring (method 1)

1. Type S to change your icon to a scaling tool.

2. Click on a group or component.
3. Green grips will appear, choose a grip located
on the face on your scaling box.
4. Type -1 as your scaling factor
5. Your selected group or component is then
flipped to the opposite side like a mirror
projection.

Mirroring (method 2)

1. Select a group or component right click over it

and choose flip along.
2. Additional options will appear, choose the axis
of the model where you want it to be flipped.
3. Your selected group or component is then
flipped along the chosen axis like a mirror
projection

Scaling using the measurement tool

1. Get inside a group or component.

2. Activate the measurement tool.Click from
corner to corner,
3. Type in your desired distance then press enter.
4. You will be asked if you want to resize the
active group or component. Click on yes.
5. Your selected group or component will then be
scaled accordingly so that the corner to corner
distance that you choose will have the distance
you have just designated
Chapter 2

Organized Modeling

As you increase the number of entities in your model it becomes cluttered and difficult to work on.

Layer and outliner panels are hereby used to be able to manage the entities in your model

Layers

The layers of SketchUp works the same way with that of autocad. A layer can be assigned to a group,
component, line , face or guide lines. In working in sketchup the best way to work with layers is to assign groups
and components into layers and all lines and faces are to be created using the default layer which is layer0.

Making Layers

1. Open the layers panel (window>layers)

2. Click on the plus sign and a new layer will be
created
3. You can rename this layer as you wish by double
clicking on it and typing the new name that you
want.

Assigning layers

1. Open the entity info panel (window>entity info)

2. Select a group and in the entity info click the
layers and change it to your desired layer.
Note: draw everything in the default layer and
assign a layer for the groups and components.

Hiding Entities (using hide)

1. Right click on an entity then choose hide.

2. Your selected entity is now hidden from view
3. To view the hidden entity go to (view>hidden
geometry).
4. You can now see your hidden geometry but is
composed of dashed lines and transparent faces.
5. To unhide the entity right click over it then
choose unhide.

Hiding Entities (using layers)

1. Assign your group or component to a layer

2. In the layers palette uncheck the layer where you
designated your model into.

This is the method that I recommend for you to use since

it keeps your model organized in terms of layers.
Outliner

The outliner displays the clustering of your groups or

components. Using the outliner you can transfer a group
to another cluster by dragging it to its new location.

1. Open the outliner palette (window>outliner)

2. Make some groups and components and make
some clusters.
3. Observe how the outliner palette displays the
names of the group and components.
4. It also displays the clustering of the group or
components which can be viewed by clicking on
the + or – sign.
5. Open one of the clusters select one of the group
or component then drag it to another group or
component.
6. Double click one of the components or groups
and observe how you were able to get in the
group or component you double clicked

Palette Arranging

1. Open several palettes

2. Adjust the size of a palette by placing your cursor
on the bottom and side of your palette until it
changes to a drag palette.
3. Place one palette on the bottom of another
palette
4. The palette will automatically attach itself to the
bottom of the other palette.
5. Click and hold drag the title block of the top most
palette.
6. The palettes underneath it will go with the top
palette as you drag it around.
7. To detach a palette LMB click and hold drag the
title block then drag it away
8. By clicking on the palette title block you can
minimize and maximize the palettes depending
on what you are trying to work on.
9. Place the palette on the right or left side of your
screen, or you are in dual monitor you can use
the other monitor for your palettes.
Activities

In this section we are going to make some 3d models for you to have a greater understanding as to how
sketchup modeling works. Additional functionalities will be introduced as we go along

Activity 1: Making a sphere

1. Create a circle that have a radius of 5

2. Set the number of segments to 8 or any number you wish
3. Create a copy of the circle.
4. Turn one of the circles into a group
5. Orient it vertically using the move icon over the red crosses, type 90 as the angle of rotation
6. Select the vertical circle then using the move command LMB click on the bottom most part of your circle
to serve as your grip point.
7. Move the vertical circle into the center of the horizontal circle, an inference should be detected and
designating the term center.
8. In case you have difficulty activating the center inference, move your circle over the edge of the
horizontal circle and let it stay there for a few seconds, then try to drag the circle towards the center of
the horizontal circle.
9. Explode the group that you have made.
10. Select the circumference of your horizontal circle
11. Using the follow me tool click on the face of your vertical circle.
12. A sphere is formed.
13. Just like curved surfaces you can go to (view>hidden geometry) for you to be able to view or not to view
the lines composing your sphere

Activity 2: Making a donut

1. Create a guide line

2. Create a circle that have a radius of 5 and place the center over the guide line
3. Set the number of segments to 8 or any number you wish
4. Create a much larger circle with the center also on the guide line.
5. Turn the smaller circle into a group and orient it vertically
6. Place the smaller circle along the guide line near the larger circle
7. Explode your smaller circle
8. Select the edge of your larger circle.
9. Using the follow me tool click on the face of your smaller circle.
10. A donut shape is created

Repeat the same procedure but this time place the smaller circle not aligned on the guide line notice how
different is the generated donut.
Activity 3: Making a waiting shed.

Part 1: Creating Guides and Base Work.

4. Right click on the group then choose

1. Create a guide line parallel to the red axis lock. If a group or component is locked
and another guide line parallel to the you would not be able to edit the
green axis. (note: you can use the red entities inside it or move it.
and green axis as your reference when
constructing a guide line) Create another
guide line 3 m from the existing guide
lines

2. Create a large rectangle under the guide

lines

5. A locked group or component

highlights in red if selected. To unlock a
group simply right click on it then
choose unlock

Note: the purpose of a base work is for

zooming in and out in your model. It also serve
as the ground plane for your modeling giving
3. Push pull it downwards to serve as your you an idea as to how your entities are
base work, make it into a group. arranged.
Part 2: Creating Columns.

1. Create a square with a

dimension of .25m by
.25 m Push pull it to a
height of 3 m. Then
turn it into a
component (you can 4. Grip the other midpoint then snap it to the
name the component guide line
as column 1 )

5. Select your component then copy it along

the red axis at a distance of 3m.

2. Create a new layer and name it as column.

Assign your component into layer column

6. Select the two components then copy it

along the green axis at a distance of 3m.
You can use the guide lines as your snap
reference
3. Grip the midpoint (see figure) then move it
to the intersection of the guide lines.
Part 3: Creating the Beams

1. Draw a rectangle (see figure) 4. Copy your beam and place it on the other
side. Create another copy then rotate it by
90 degrees.

2. Push pull it downwards by 0.3 m. Make it

into a component (you can name the
component as roof beam)
5. Place the rotated beam on the other two
spans.

Part 4: Clustering

1. Create a new layer and call it structural.

Select all the beams and columns and make
3. Create a new layer and name it as beam. it into a group and assign it to layer
Assign your component into layer beam structural.
Part 5: walls

4. Offset the perimeter outwards by 0.05 m. Our

objective is to create a wall that is 0.1m thick.
Delete all the lines located on top of the guide
line. Delete the square face on the center.
1. Uncheck the structural layer to hide your
beams and columns. Draw a square
following the guide lines. double click on the
square then turn it into a component (you
can name it as CHB wall)

2. Create a new
layer and name it
as walls. Assign
the component
you have just 5. Push pull it upwards by 1.2 m. Choose the
made to layer front of your waiting shed then push pull the
walls. face as shown in the figure. Try to snap it at
the edge of the wall.

6. As you snap it
to the edge.
The wall would
be deleted. In
case it doesn’t
just select one
of the edges
then delete it.
7. Exit your
component by
clicking outside
you should
come up with a
3. Double click you component to get inside shape like the
your component. Offset the perimeter one shown.
inwards by .05 m.
Part 6: Working on Obscured Geometry
4. Push pull the face
downwards and
snap it into the
floor.

1. Check all the layers to make all of your

entities visible. Press K and notice how the edges
5. Draw again the same
obscured by the faces become visible. This is
lines in step 3 on the
what they call as x ray style.
other side. Uncheck the
structural layer to have
a clearer view of your
face. Push pull the face
downwards and snap it
to the floor.

6. Exit your component the check structural

layer to make it visible. Press K to exit the x
ray style.

2. Go inside your wall component. Push pull

the face located inside your column and snap
it to the corner of your column (see Figure).
Do the same thing on the other side. Note: In
the x ray style you can select and snap faces
and lines that are obscured by other entities.

3. Draw a line on the

intersection of the
column and the wall
(see figure)
Part 7: Creating a Roof
1. Draw a square but this time try to use
the rectangle tool by pressing R. Click
from corner to corner (those highlighted
by dots).
2. Double click the
square. Then turn it
into a component.
Create a new layer and
call it as roof. Assign
your component to
layer roof.
3. Offset the square outward by 1m. We are
now going to delete the edges of the square
on the center. You can delete it one by one or
using the select tool double click the central
square then hold down shift then click on the
central square again to deselect it leaving only
the edges of the square selected. Release shift
then press delete.
4. Draw a line on the center. Right click on the
line and choose divide.
5. Red dots will appear on your line and as you
drag along the line is equally divided by the red
dots. Type 5 then enter to tell SketchUp that
you want the line to be divided into 5 equal
segments.
6. Draw diagonal lines from the end of the edge
to the corner (see fig. above).
7. Select the middle segment then move it
along the blue axis at a distance of 1m. Since
SketchUp has sticky geometry the lines and
faces behaved like stretchable elastic rubber.
Click outside the component to exit your
component.
Part 8: Creating the Floor Part 9: Creating the Gutter

1. Uncheck the structural, wall and roof layer.

Draw a square along the guidelines.

1. Check all the layers. Create a vertical

rectangle on the roof edge 0.15 by 0.2 m in size.
Shape your rectangle to a cross section of a
gutter that you prefer.

2. Offset it outwards by 1m.

2. Draw lines along the perimeter of your roof.

Then use follow me tool on the gutter face.

3. Push pull the outer face by .1 m. Push pull

the central face upwards by .15 m.
3. Delete the top face of your gutter. Turn your
gutter into a group. Select the gutter go to
edit>cut. Get inside your roof component then
go to edit>paste in place.
Part 10: Creating the Sitting

4. Draw a path at the inside of your waiting shed

use the guide lines as reference.
1. Check the wall, floor and layer 0 , uncheck the
other layers. Draw a vertical square of size .5 by
.5 m as shown in the figure.

2. Draw a .1 by .05 m rectangle . draw a diagonal

line as shown. Delete the extra edges. 5. Activate the follow me tool then click on the
face. To obtain the one shown above Turn it
into a group. Create a new layer and call it
sitting. Then assign your group to layer sitting

3. Place guidelines along the interior

intersection of the wall and the floor. These
guide will serve as a guide in drawing your
path for the follow me.
Part 11: Ridge roll

4. Select the shown faces and make it into a

1. Check all layers. Get inside your roof group.
component and offset one of the roof faces
inwards by .15 m.

5. Get inside the group you have just created

2. Draw a line from the end of the triangle up to
the edge. If the line to be drawn was highlighted
by magenta it means that it is in the same
direction as the line before it.
triple click on your ridge roll then copy it
upwards by a distance of 0.5 m. Create a vertical
line from the corner of the upper faces to the
corner of the lower faces. If this is accomplished
on all corners you will obtain a figure like the
one shown below

3. Draw it on
the other side
then delete the
extra bottom
edge to obtain
a similar figure 6. Select the top faces of your ridge roll then
like the one move it downwards along the blue axis by
shown. Repeat 0.47m. (Remember: that we created a copy 0.5
this process on m from the original location then we move it
the 3 other downwards by 0.47 m. This only means that the
faces. distance in between is .03 m.
Activity 4: Applying texture to your model and
viewing it at different styles

4. We are now going to modify your applied

texture. Right click on the roof where you
applied metal corrugated or shiny. Choose
texture then position.

5. Grip pins like the one shown

Part 1: Painting on the right will appear and if
you place your cursor on top
1. Get inside your roof component. Press B then of one of them a text option
notice how your tool bar changes to a bucket will provide information as to
and a new palette called materials will appear what the pin can do. This is
ideally used when setting the
2. Go to the position of tiles or bricks. Press
materials palette space bar then exit
and choose Colors-
named. Select the
color Dark Green
then LMB click on 6. Click on the sample paint
your ridge, gutter icon and click on the ridge.
and fascia board. Notice how the texture
changes to green. Click
again on the sample paint
and if you click again on the
roof face it changes back to
3. Go to Materials metal corrugated shiny.
palette then choose 7. Go to edit in the
Metal. Select the materials palette. In here
material Metal you can change the color
Corrugated shiny. and scale. Or use the use
Apply this material to the match color of object in
the rest of the roof. Model. Click on the ridge to
Remember you can have a green roof shade of
apply paint on a face your material. Color the
separately or apply it to rest of you model.
a group or component.
Part 2: Viewing your model

1. Press Z and notice the measurement bar

indicating field of view. Type 100 then enter and
notice the change in how your model is viewed.
The human eye has a field of view of 35 deg. So
always remember to try to set your value close
to 35 deg.

2. To view your model in isometric view go to

camera and choose parallel projection.

3. If you go to camera there is an option called

3. Click on the plus sign.
standard views here you can choose front view,
right view, etc…… 4. A palette like the one above might or might
not appear. Just choose save as new style then
click on Create Scene. Change the viewing of
Part 3: Clean up.
your model then click again on the plus sign.
Change again your viewing then click again the
plus sign.

5. Notice the changes below your toolbar and

your scene palette.

6. Scene 1, scene 2
and scene 3 are the
1. Go to edit in the menu bar then choose Delete names of your scene
guides. Notice how all of your guides were you have the option
deleted. of renaming it in the
scene palette.
2. Open the styles palette go to edit and in the
edge settings uncheck everything. 7. Click one scene and
notice how you
Part 4: Scenes transition to that
scene.
1. Go to windows
then choose scenes. A 8. Right click on the
new palette like the scenes below the
one shown on the toolbars. Then choose
right will appear. play animation to
view your animation.
2. In case the palette
lack the other options 9. To adjust the
below it then click animation settings.
this icon on the Go to window>model
palette . info then choose
animation.
Part 5: Updating scenes
1. Sometimes you may wish to change the scene
view.
2. Click on scene 2 then adjust the viewing of
your model.
3. Right click on the scene then choose update.
4. You can update any setting in SketchUp.
Remember you can update a scene at a specific
property. Example If camera location is
unchecked you would only be able to update
the other properties except camera.
3. The same method is used in exporting
pictures or animation. Don’t forget the options
Bar. Where you will set additional options as to
the frame size of your picture or animation.
Part 7: Importing
1. SketchUp allows you to take 3d models,
pictures and other SketchUp models.
2. Go to file then choose import then choose the
format of the file you are trying to import.
Always remember the Settings on the options
bar.

3. If you have an internet connection you can

Part 6: Exporting
1. SketchUp allows you to export your 3d model,
as a picture animation or a 3d model in another
format so that it can be read by other softwares.
download 3d models from the Google 3D
warehouse. The advantage of this is that you
don’t have to model furniture, trees and others.
Go to file then choose 3D warehouse then get
models.
4. SketchUp can download Satellite imagery and
terrain from Google earth. Go to file then
choose Geo –Location then Add Location. Zoom
in to the piece of area you want to obtain. Grab
the area and notice that two additional layers
were added to your layers palette. Check and
uncheck these layers and notice what they are
set to.

Part 8: Sandbox

1. Go to view then toolbars then check sandbox.

A new set of toolbars like the one below will
appear. Drag it to the toolbars. Since working
with sand box is quite difficult your mentor shall
guide you accordingly.

2. Go to export then click on 3d model. You have

the option to set what type of file you are going
to export it to. The options bar at the lower right
corner allows you to modify additional settings.
Tips and Tricks

1) Create your 3D model in simple style.

2) Try to limit the number of edges you place in your model.
3) Avoid placing to many segments for your circles and arcs
4) Work near the origin.
5) Always use layers to control the visibility of your model.
6) Use the scenes to control the visibility of your layers.
7) I do not use the hide command because it is difficult to control and work on if you are in view hidden
geometry.
8) Try to look at all the options in the menu bar.
9) Check the models that you get from the internet they might contain too many edges. Remember the fewer
the edges the better.
10) Look for plugins that will suit your workflow.

Computer Req.

1. Sketchup is a single core software therefore will only utilize one of the cores of your Computer.
2. 1 Gb RAM at least
3. Use Graphics card that support Open GL. Avoid Intel Graphics card.

Prepared by:

Engr, Jonel Ian B. Lucas