Best Online Tutorials for Google SketchUp
SketchUp is an efficient 3D imaging software from Google that enables you to construct realistic 3D models of subjects varying from buildings to vehicles to any proposed project work. The usefulness and acceptance of this product has resulted in many versions, the latest – SketchUp 6 – being released early this year. The product is actively used by real estate and other professionals as well as by individuals interested in design. There are numerous tutorials in print and online media on how to use this great tool. This article reviews some of the best online tutorials available.
Podcasting SketchUp
The www.go-2-school.com website offers the best in-class training DVDs with free podcasts on specific features of SketchUp. The podcasts, in the form of short movies, show certified SketchUp instructors Alex Oliver or Mike Tadros, the founders of go-2-school, using the SketchUp tools to perform various tasks. The tools are explained in greater detail in their DVDs. Undoubtedly, go-2-school is the best third-party tutorial site for SketchUp.
Turning EAST
EAST is a non-profit organization aimed at educating students on various high-end tools. Their website www.eastproject.org hosts phased tutorials on SketchUp. Upon registration, you access a set of 4 tutorials from the fundamentals of using SketchUp to placing a finished model on Google Earth. The sequential tutorials are useful for first-time users of SketchUp.
For Dummies
Aidan Chopra’s book, ‘Google SketchUp for Dummies’, is available online at www.aidanchopra.com, the author’s website. The book explains every aspect of the software in simple terms, and can be considered the complete online tutorial for anybody wanting to use SketchUp. It is especially the perfect online reference for beginners.
Architect's Haven
www.architectionary.com, the online dictionary and reference source for the architect community, provides free video tutorials on their site. These demonstrate various tasks at basic, intermediate and advanced levels. The tutorials are constantly updated, making the site a dynamic online tutorial resource for SketchUp.
Home for freeware tutorials
www.top-freewares.com, the site for tutorials of freeware software, houses many video tutorials that teach the use of SketchUp to perform tasks such as creating a model of a house, designing a floor plant, raising and lowering surfaces, uploading models to the 3D warehouse and many more. This might also be a handy online option for quick reference on basic SketchUp usage.
Nothing like hearing it straight from the horse's mouth
While many such online sources are available for training users on SketchUp, the video tutorials available on the parent site, sketchup.google.com, are definitely the best resource. The easy-to-follow and interactive tutorials are designed to educate users on all the features and advantages of SketchUp, and must be the first stop for anybody wanting to use the tool.
