Book Image

Taking SketchUp Pro to the Next Level

By : Aaron Dietzen aka 'The SketchUp Guy'
Book Image

Taking SketchUp Pro to the Next Level

By: Aaron Dietzen aka 'The SketchUp Guy'

Overview of this book

Anyone who’s worked with it will know that SketchUp is the quickest and easiest way to create 3D models. While its approachable interface makes it super easy to learn, this book will show you how the extremely capable SketchUp software can take you far beyond what you may have initially thought possible. Get ready to level up from a basic user to becoming a SketchUp ninja! Each chapter will take you through the capabilities of SketchUp, challenging you to use tools in innovative ways. This includes organizing your model, modifying native commands, customizing your interface, utilizing inferencing, and much more. Additionally, you’ll learn about the extensions that can be added to SketchUp to supplement the tools you have been using, allowing you to make your 3D modeling process quicker, easier, and more powerful. By the end of this SketchUp book, you’ll have an enhanced understanding of how to use the impressive range of tools and be on your way to customizing SketchUp for your one-of-a-kind workflow.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
1
Part 1: Getting More Out of Native Tools
7
Part 2: Customizing SketchUp and Making It Your Own
13
Part 3: Extending SketchUp’s Capabilities for Modeling

What this book covers

Chapter 1, Reviewing the Basics, gives a quick recap of SketchUp functionality.

Chapter 2, Organizing Your 3D Model, includes tips that will help keep your SketchUp model organized.

Chapter 3, Modifying Native Commands, discusses getting more out of the native commands using modifier keys.

Chapter 4, Taking Inferencing to the Next Level, explains how to save yourself time and energy by making inferencing work for you.

Chapter 5, Creating Beautiful Custom Materials, discusses making the outside of your model look amazing!

Chapter 6, Knowing What You Need Out of SketchUp, explains that before you can develop your own custom SketchUp workflows, you need to nail down what you need.

Chapter 7, Creating Custom Shortcuts, explains how to speed up your modeling time using shortcut keys.

Chapter 8, Customizing Your User Interface, discusses how you can tailor your on-screen space for your specific workflow.

Chapter 9, Taking Advantage of Templates, explains how you can get quicker with templates designed specifically for what you plan to model.

Chapter 10, Hardware to Make You a More Efficient Modeler, discusses some hardware upgrades to consider as you develop your SketchUp skills.

Chapter 11, What Are Extensions?, explains the extensions that help you to take SketchUp far beyond what is possible with just native commands.

Chapter 12, Using 3D Warehouse and Extension Warehouse, discusses SketchUp’s integrated repositories of extensions and 3D entourage.

Chapter 13, Must-Have Extensions for Any Workflow, explains the extensions that will fit into almost any workflow.

Chapter 14, Introduction to LayOut, is a primer on SketchUp’s backend software.

Chapter 15, Leveraging the SketchUp Ecosystem, explains that there is so much more to SketchUp than just SketchUp Pro.