SketchUp is a user-friendly 3D modeling software widely used in architecture, interior design, and construction to quickly and efficiently create, visualize, and communicate design ideas.
This course teaches the fundamental SketchUp workflow for architects, all built around a single project: modeling a modern cabin from a hand sketch.
We'll start with the basics, importing your references and setting your scale. Then, we'll cover the essential tools for massing, cutting openings, applying materials, and shaping the site. You'll learn how to organize your model and set up portfolio-ready scenes.
This is a project-first approach to learning the fundamentals. By the end, you'll have a clean, site-aware model and a repeatable process you can use on any design.
SketchUp is a user-friendly 3D modeling software widely used in architecture, interior design, and construction to quickly and efficiently create, visualize, and communicate design ideas. This course teaches the fundamental SketchUp workflow for architects, all built around a single project: modeling a modern cabin from a hand sketch. We'll start with the basics, importing your references and setting your scale. Then, we'll cover the essential tools for massing, cutting openings, applying...
What you will learn
01
Set up SketchUp for beginners: toolbars, default settings, and personal preferences.
02
Work project-first: build a cabin house on a residential lot from the ground up.
03
Use reference material: import a reference image and align a provided hand sketch and floor plan.
04
Create the exterior shell and cut door/window openings with native tools.
05
Place doors and windows using Live Components
06
Learn how to do a material study
07
Build the site and grading, and introduce the Sandbox tools.
08
Add entourage for context (trees, people, etc.).
09
Compose shots: set up compositions and capture scenes/views for a clear visual.
Methodology
This course is perfect for architecture students, early-career designers, or anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of the SketchUp workflow for a real project.
No major SketchUp experience is required, but you should be comfortable with 3D navigation (orbit, pan, zoom) and basic 2D drawing concepts (plans, elevations).
Start by setting up toolbars, default settings, and preferences; bring in and align the reference image, hand sketch, and/or floor plan. Build the exterior shell and site, keeping the interior light, and use it as a placeholder for further development.
Cut door and window openings, and place doors and windows as Live Components to maintain model flexibility. Run a material study for siding and roof variations. Model site and grading, add entourage (trees, people, etc.), then set up views and capture scenes. Use native tools first, with some extensions where needed.
Program:
Module 1 - Concept & references
Introduce toolbars, default settings, and my default preferences
Introduce and create a hand sketch from an existing floor plan
Import this image to scale in SketchUp
Module 2 - Exterior focus & basic structure
Build up the exterior of the site
Cut door and window openings
For the interior, include stabilizing walls only
Highlight: Don’t get stuck in the weeds of the interior; focus on the exterior/site
Module 3 - Doors & windows
Use Live Components to place the actual doors and windows
Explain why Live Components are better than regular components
Module 4 - Materials & textures
Material study - variations for the siding and the roof
Module 5 - Site & grading
Showcase to the user: Because this is exterior, the site and gradings
Introduce Sandbox tools
Place trees, people, etc.
Module 6 - Composition, views & AI rendering
Start to put together the compositions
Capture scenes and views
This course is perfect for architecture students, early-career designers, or anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of the SketchUp workflow for a real project. No major SketchUp experience is required, but you should be comfortable with 3D navigation (orbit, pan, zoom) and basic 2D drawing concepts (plans, elevations). Start by setting up toolbars, default settings, and preferences; bring in and align the reference image, hand sketch, and/or floor plan. Build the exterior shell and site,...
Daniel Brown is a Philadelphia-based designer and educator, and the founder of SketchUpTrainer.com. For over 15 years, he has worked full-time as a SketchUp trainer and consultant, helping architects, designers, and contractors master 3D modeling and design with production-ready workflows. He launched SketchUpTrainer.com in 2007 to bridge the gap between SketchUp’s capabilities and how professionals actually use it in practice, and his company is part of Trimble’s Authorized Training Center (ATC) network.Daniel holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and began his career at Google as a SketchUp Trainer, where he supported professional teams and later trained other trainers. He also has 10 years of college-level teaching experience and has trained thousands worldwide—from solo practitioners to major firms on modeling standards, presentation methods, and efficient day-to-day practices.His methodology is project-based and architecture-first. For PAACADEMY, Daniel focuses on SketchUp workflows that guide learners from concept to presentation-ready models they can apply to their projects and portfolios.
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Tzvetelina Sarbinska
SketchUp for Beginners 101 was excellent! The lessons were clear, well-paced, and perfect for beginners. The cabin house project was super helpful. Daniel’s instructions made everything straightforward — I now feel confident using SketchUp. Thank you PAACADEMY!
