Simple Template

If you have chosen the Simple Template at startup, SketchUp starts in a 3D view with a person (his name is Sang) to give you scale. If you don't want him there, you can simply select him and delete him.

You can also see the red, green and blue axes. It is important to be aware with which of these axes you are lining up your model.

Reminder: If you no longer see the welcome screen where you select the template, choose Help > Welcome to SketchUp

Show the Views Toolbar

When working in 3D, it helps if you can quickly and easily change views. Choose View > Toolbars > Views

Set Objects in the Correct Plane

It can be tricky at times to work out which plane objects are in when working in 3D. Start to draw slowly in one direction then pause and SketchUp will give you a tooltip near the cursor saying something like 'On Red Axis'.

Things often look very different from different views. It is important to move around and observe your designs from a number of angles to ensure things are where you expect them to be. Hold down the middle mouse button to orbit.

Drawing a Rectangle (or anything else) to an Exact Measurement

Select the rectangle tool.

Click where you want the first corner of the rectangle and start to move the mouse in the direction you want.

If you want a 50 x 20m rectangle, say for a swimming pool, type 50m, 25m then press Enter. (Just type it - you don't need to click anywhere first. Make sure you put in the comma.)

For a circle, you just need to enter a value for the radius.

Drawing a Basic House Shape

Start by drawing a rectangle

Get the push/pull tool to click on the face and pull it upward.

Draw Guidelines

Using the Views toolbar, change to top down view, and switch to the tape measure tool.

Click on one edge and drag slowly towards the centre of the roof. When it snaps at the middle, release it. Do the same for the other edge.

Draw 2 more an equal distance from each end. Just click the first point, then type in a value for the distance and press Enter.

You can delete the guidelines later on.
Use the guides to draw the roof ridges using the pencil tool.

Select the top ridge line.

Switch to side view. Press M for move, and slowly lift the ridge line straight up. (Check that it shows you doing it on the blue axis - you may need to rotate your view very slightly using the middle mouse button)

Check all views. If it is not right, press Ctrl-Z to undo and try again.

 
  Hold down the middle mouse button and spin around to make sure it is all in the right place. Now you can draw in some doors and windows.

Modifying Objects

The main tools you will use to modify existing 3D shapes are:

Using the Follow Me Tool

The Follow Me tool enables you to create complex objects easily.

Using the Instructor is useful to help you learn how to use the Follow Me tool. Choose Window > Instructor

Then click the follow me tool and the instructor will show you what to do.
Instructions for drawing a donut shape
Instructions for creating a bowl or dome