Google Sketchup

interior design | architecture | landscape | film & stage | GIS | game design

SketchUp Advanced Behind SketchUp's simple interface lies a powerful toolset waiting to be unleashed. You already know how to create complex models by extruding faces, using inferences, and adding slick entourage, but there is more to explore.

Using SketchUp Pro 5, you'll learn professional techniques for project collaboration, methods for building terrain models, and how to create your own signature rendering style.

This three-lesson course focuses on the tools you'll need to work professionally with SketchUp, starting with importing from other common programs, like AutoCAD. You'll clean up 2D CAD plans within SketchUp and transform them into accurate, attractive 3D models. SketchUp Pro's Sandbox toolset is introduced—you'll use it to sculpt terrain and building sites from scratch and using plans. Finally, you'll learn how SketchUp is used with other rendering software, and how to create a signature rendering style combining SketchUp and Photoshop techniques.

Jim Dodson, architect and Sessions 3D authority, has developed this course with the professional SketchUp user in mind. He'll guide you through the software with high-level techniques, and let you use your imagination with challenging hands-on projects.

On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites

Class Title: SketchUp Advanced Start Date: Classes start daily. Enroll today and gain immediate access. Class Length: Three months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: James Dodson Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment
	Tuition: $129

Class Instructor Bio:

At home with SketchUp

James Dodson has 10 years of experience in architecture at the norwegian firm Snøhetta (the internationally acclaimed designers of the Alexandria Library in Egypt , JMW Turner Gallery in Margate , England, and the WTC Memorial Complex in NYC). James has extensive expertise in the use of 3D modeling as a design tool. For Spring 2006 he has been appointed as visiting lecturer at the University of Texas School of Architecture where he will be teaching an advanced design studio and a seminar course entitled "Explorations in Digital Design Process." SketchUp will form an important part of a course that will seek to define a new digital workflow for architects and designers. James has been developing and teaching at Sessions.edu since 2000.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online SketchUp training class is packed with projects, tips, and tutorials.  Students can expect to: 

• Import CAD drawings to SketchUp and apply appropriate display and layer settings.

• Use grouping and healing techniques to prepare an imported 2D plan for 3D use.

• Export 3D designs to 2D graphics for Web, print, and layout use.

• Create a smooth mesh using the From Scratch tool and sculpt it with the Smoove tool.

• Create a smooth mesh using drawn contours and CAD contours, and refine it using the Flip Edge tool and Add Detail tool.

• Use softening and the Drape tool to customize the surface of smooth meshes.

• Use the Stamp tool to create a level building site in a smooth mesh terrain.

• Select a photorealistic renderer for use with SketchUp and export an appropriate 3D file.

• Use Photoshop to create finished views with a hand-drawn appearance.

• Creatively apply modeling and rendering techniques to create a professional finished product.