15 Best SketchUp Courses & Training Programs Online To Take In 2023

Best SketchUp Courses & Training Programs

1. SketchUp for Architecture

Designed specifically for architects, this comprehensive course teaches the essentials of SketchUp, a highly intuitive CAD program that helps transform simple drawings into impressive 3D presentations. Beginning with an overview of the SketchUp interface and workflow, students are guided through a typical residential building project; from creating a site plan to constructing the walls, floor, and roof of the house. In addition, the course delves into making the models more realistic with materials, as well as enhancing believability with landscaping, fixtures, furnishings, and appliances.

Instructor Paul J. Smith elaborates on the usage of styles and demonstrates the process of generating elevations and plans required to complete the rest of the courses within the training series. Furthermore, participants learn how to take full advantage of SketchUp's organizational features, such as layers and components. By the end of the course, students will have mastered the fundamental concepts of SketchUp for architecture, enabling them to create captivating presentations for any project proposal.

2. SketchUp Pro: Kitchen Design

This comprehensive course allows you to dive into the world of kitchen design using SketchUp, a highly accessible 3D drawing program. Guided by expert instructor Scott Onstott, you will learn to model your current kitchen, digitally remove existing elements, and begin to integrate new cabinets, countertops, appliances, fixtures, and lighting to create your dream space. Additionally, the course covers essential modern features, such as standalone islands, that can elevate your kitchen design.

Beyond pure design, the course also delves into more advanced SketchUp capabilities, such as working with layers, groups, components, styles, and scenes. Furthermore, you'll explore ready-made models from the 3D Warehouse to enhance your design process. One of the highlights of this course is the opportunity to create an animated walkthrough of your kitchen, complete with first-person navigation and animation features. Overall, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to turn your ideal kitchen into a visual and functional reality using SketchUp.

3. SketchUp Pro: Interior Design Detailing

Enhance your interior design detailing skills with this comprehensive course that focuses on the powerful capabilities of SketchUp Pro. Led by interior design expert Rebecca Terpstra, you will learn how to develop a complete interior design project within SketchUp Pro, starting from a basic floor plan and working your way up to creating a three-dimensional space, furnished and accessorized to suit your design vision. You will also learn the process of generating professional-level documentation to present your design to clients or contractors.

Rebecca demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of SketchUp Pro by showing you how to work with various file types, including imported .dwg files from AutoCAD and even hand-drawn floor plans. Furthermore, you will have access to custom-made exercise files that allow you to follow along and apply the methods taught throughout the course. By the end of the course, you'll have a deeper understanding of the extensive potential SketchUp Pro offers for both designers and their clients, enabling you to create captivating and functional interior spaces with ease and precision.

4. SketchUp 2019 Essential Training

Begin your journey into the world of 3D modeling by mastering the basics of SketchUp. This comprehensive training course provides a foundational understanding of the drawing and design tools available in the 2019 version of this powerful software. Learn from expert instructor Tammy Cody as she covers topics such as navigating the interface, manipulating objects, drawing, leveraging organizational tools, and working with materials and textures on both Windows and Mac computers. With a focus on easy-to-use tools, SketchUp is the perfect platform to kickstart your 3D modeling skills.

Once you've learned the essentials of SketchUp, take your projects to the next level by applying simple styles and animations that will make your 3D creations more polished and presentable. The course is structured to offer ample opportunities to practice what you've learned, ensuring you become proficient in utilizing SketchUp's tools and techniques. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore 3D modeling or an experienced designer seeking to enhance your skillset, this course is an invaluable resource to help you achieve your goals.

5. SketchUp: Kitchen Design

Embark on a journey to transform your current kitchen into your dream one with the help of SketchUp, an accessible and versatile 3D drawing tool. The course, led by experienced instructor Scott Onstott, will guide you through the entire process, from modeling and demolishing your existing kitchen to designing and visualizing a brand-new space complete with cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures, and lighting. You'll also learn how to incorporate modern elements, such as a standalone island, into your design for added functionality and style.

Throughout the course, you'll master valuable SketchUp techniques, including working with layers, groups, components, styles, scenes, and pre-built models from the 3D Warehouse. Whether you are a homeowner looking to renovate your kitchen or an aspiring interior designer, this course provides the comprehensive instruction and practical skills needed to bring your kitchen visions to life. All you need to get started is a free copy of SketchUp, a positive attitude, and a desire to create your ideal kitchen space.

6. SketchUp: Concept Drawings with Photoshop

Discover the process of combining SketchUp and Photoshop to create stunning concept drawings that effectively showcase your 3D models. This skillful technique will not only add an aesthetically pleasing aspect to your work but also enhances the overall presentation value of your architectural or CAD projects. Utilizing Photoshop's powerful image editing capabilities, you'll learn to improve various elements such as shadows, line quality, color, texture, and depth in your SketchUp designs.

Your instructor, George Maestri, will guide you through the process of exporting SketchUp layers into Photoshop and demonstrate various methods of enhancement. In addition, the course covers the incorporation of water effects and foliage to give your drawings a realistic, polished look. By the end of the course, you will have mastered a valuable technique that significantly improves the presentation of your concept drawings, setting you apart in the industry.

7. SketchUp for Architecture: Details

8. SketchUp: Tips & Tricks

Discover how to enhance your 3D modeling skills with the SketchUp: Tips & Tricks course. This comprehensive program, led by George Maestri, delves into a wide variety of topics aimed at helping learners become more proficient in using SketchUp. With a focus on efficient and speedy model creation, the course offers valuable insights and techniques to help users maximize their productivity and achieve desired results.

Throughout the course, you'll uncover various aspects of SketchUp, exploring its diverse capabilities and potential applications for creating intricate 3D models. From fundamental concepts to advanced techniques, this course caters to both beginners and experienced users, assisting them in honing their expertise and realizing their modeling objectives. Immerse yourself in this learning opportunity and elevate your SketchUp abilities to new heights.

9. SketchUp: Bathroom Remodel

In this engaging course, you will learn how to harness the power of SketchUp, an easy-to-use 3D modeling software, to transform your bathroom into a modern and stylish space. By incorporating ten of the most popular remodeling trends, you will be able to reimagine your existing bathroom and elevate your home's resale value. Guided by expert instructor Scott Onstott, you will acquire essential knowledge of SketchUp tools, layers, materials, styles, and scenes, enabling you to design a bathroom that reflects your unique taste and style.

Throughout the course, you will explore innovative ideas and techniques that will provide a fresh perspective on your bathroom space. The readily available fixtures from the 3D Warehouse will further enhance your designs, as you learn to create a floating vanity and vessel sinks, select a luxurious freestanding bath and rain shower, build an eye-catching double-sided fireplace, and more. Master the art of bathroom remodeling with SketchUp and transform your living space into a haven of comfort, relaxation, and beauty.

10. SketchUp 2020 Essential Training

Dive into the world of 3D modeling and 2D floor plans with SketchUp 2020 Essential Training, designed to help you master the basics of this powerful design software. Throughout the course, you will explore SketchUp's easy-to-use interface, drawing and design tools, as well as its various capabilities in creating impressive models and animations. Led by experienced instructor Tammy Cody, this comprehensive training is suitable for both Windows and Mac users and will set you on the path to becoming proficient in SketchUp 2020.

Beyond the essential drawing and design techniques, you will learn how to effectively manipulate objects, organize drawing elements, and work with materials and textures to enhance your projects. Additionally, the course covers how to apply simple styles and animation, allowing you to create polished and presentable 3D projects. Throughout your learning journey, you will have ample opportunities to practice your newfound skills, ensuring a well-rounded and confident understanding of the powerful tools and features that SketchUp 2020 has to offer.

11. SketchUp Pro Lunchtime Lessons

Enhance your SketchUp skills with this weekly series that aims to help users work smarter in SketchUp Pro. Throughout the duration of the course, instructor Rebecca Terpstra will be providing expert advice on creating precision-based models for architectural and interior designs using SketchUp. Users will have the opportunity to learn various tips and techniques, including using the Paste in Place function to group objects effectively, utilizing scenes for more dynamic presentations, and creating an array of shapes with the Circle tool.

This course is perfect for those who want to improve their SketchUp skills even in their spare time. Each Monday offers a new tip, ensuring continuous learning and growth for every participant. If you're eager to elevate your 3D modeling proficiency in architectural and interior design, this series of expert-guided lessons will be essential in helping you unlock the full potential of SketchUp Pro. Don't miss out on these valuable insights that can make a significant difference in your design process!

12. SketchUp for Architecture: LayOut

The SketchUp for Architecture: LayOut course is a valuable resource that bridges SketchUp with LayOut, an essential SketchUp Pro companion software, to enhance architectural design capabilities. Guided by expert instructor Paul J. Smith, students learn how to create and save templates, as well as how to generate high-quality plans, sections, and elevations for planning and construction. The course covers the essentials of navigating the LayOut interface, setting up a document, and mastering drawing tools. Additionally, it provides insights on creating and editing scrapbook content, and connecting SketchUp scenes.

Beyond these fundamental skills, the course delves into elements such as creating cover pages, vector drawings, and raster drawings. These techniques enable students to leverage accurately-scaled 2D visuals from their 3D models, optimizing their architectural design processes. Overall, the SketchUp for Architecture: LayOut course serves as an indispensable guide for professionals or aspiring architects who aim to harness the full potential of SketchUp and LayOut in their projects.

13. SketchUp: Rendering with V-Ray 3

In this comprehensive course, you will learn about the various tools and features available in the rendering solution, V-Ray, for SketchUp. The course covers topics such as navigating the interface, adding illumination to scenes, and working with the V-Ray camera, to help you enhance your 3D modeling and rendering projects. With V-Ray 3's interactive rendering technology, you can see real-time changes to your model, providing a highly efficient and dynamic learning experience.

The instructor, Brian Bradley, expertly guides you through this powerful V-Ray for SketchUp rendering solution, helping you build a solid foundation in using its extensive tools and features. The course delves into the different light types, allowing you to add both artificial light and natural-looking daylight to your projects. Additionally, you will learn about the V-Ray camera, materials, map types, render elements, FX tools, and more, giving you the necessary skills and understanding to create visually striking and professional-quality renders with V-Ray in SketchUp.

14. SketchUp & Revit Workflow

This course is specially designed for architects and designers who wish to enhance their skills in creating high-quality models for their projects. By incorporating the use of SketchUp in the initial stages of conceptual modeling, professionals can effectively explore their creative ideas before moving on to the refinement process in Revit. Instructor Paul J. Smith demonstrates how massing studies and site context models can be generated within SketchUp, with the option of importing these elements into Revit for further development.

In addition to the seamless integration between SketchUp and Revit, this course also highlights various tips and techniques to improve productivity within the design workflow. By leveraging pre-existing objects found in SketchUp's 3D Warehouse, users have the opportunity to streamline their work process and save valuable time. Furthermore, this comprehensive course also covers the essentials of working with Revit files in SketchUp, allowing for better utilization and collaboration between these two powerful modeling tools for projects such as floor plans and stairs.

15. SketchUp Pro: Modeling a Lamp

SketchUp Pro is a powerful tool for creating stunning, professional-grade 3D models that can impress both clients and colleagues. In this course, expert instructor Paul J. Smith guides learners through the process of making a detailed model of a house lamp using the software's impressive design and rendering capabilities. Throughout the course, students will also be introduced to vital techniques in project organization, complex mechanical shape construction, and even articulation for the lamp arm.

The course begins with the essentials – setting up the template, loading components, and constructing the base profile for the lamp. From there, participants will learn how to make the swivel connection profile, form the lower armature of the lamp, and create the top arm and lampshade. To bring it all together, Paul demonstrates how to assemble the various components and complete the project, ensuring learners have a solid understanding of the process and the skills necessary to tackle future modeling endeavors with confidence.

Compare SketchUp Online Courses

How to choose best SketchUp online course

Finding the best SketchUp course can be overwhelming with so many options available. As a learner, it is crucial to identify your goals and preferences before selecting a course. To aid in your decision-making process, consider the following essential aspects:

• Relevance to your intent: Whether you aim to improve architectural design, design kitchens, specialize in interior detailing, or create concept drawings, choose a course that aligns with your specific goals.
• Version compatibility: Some classes focus on specific versions, such as SketchUp 2019 or 2020. Ensure the course you select matches your software to maximize learning potential.
• Progressive levels: Opt for courses that gradually build on existing knowledge, allowing you to master each topic at a comfortable pace.
• Instructor expertise: Verify the instructor's qualifications, skills, and experience in the specific topic to ensure they can provide valuable guidance and insights.
• Customer reviews: Past participants' feedback can offer insight into the quality and effectiveness of the course.
• Practical application: Prioritize courses that prioritize hands-on exercises, as they will enable you to refine your skills with real-world examples and projects.

By focusing on these factors, you can confidently choose the most appropriate SketchUp course for your needs, setting yourself up for success in your learning journey.

Conclusion

By now, you have been presented with a diverse range of SketchUp courses that cater to various user requirements - from architectural design to remodeling a bathroom. With such a comprehensive collection, finding the right course to level up your skills or dive into a new specialization has never been easier. Embrace this opportunity to passionately fulfill your creative aspirations!

What are you waiting for? Start exploring these outstanding SketchUp courses and enrich your design toolbox. Whether you want to create stunning kitchen designs or focus on intricate architectural details, your journey to becoming a SketchUp Pro begins today. Empower yourself with the knowledge and techniques to rise to new heights in your career, and realize your full potential in the ever-evolving world of design.