Type to search.

    The SketchUp 3D modeler

    SketchUp is a 3D modeling program originally designed for architectural design. It uses the mouse heavily and relies on "snapping" to existing geometry to join and move objects in relation to others. I used the SketchUp Make 2017 version, which runs on the desktop, and doesn't seem to be missing any features of the newer versions.

    I knew of it back in high school and tried it out then, but couldn't get the hang of it. I didn't know it had a way to group edges and faces together, which made it difficult to use. When edges are not part of a component, they're free to deform and turn into oblique and irregular shapes. The two-click pick up and set down style of moving edges didn't make sense to me. I didn't realize that you could type in measurements as you're dragging an edge to precisely resize along an axis.

    In May 2020, I saw it used in a YouTube video about woodworking and gave it a shot after seeing how quickly furniture with precise measurements could be modeled. SketchUp for Woodworkers, Jay's Custom Creations SketchUp tutorials, and Woodgears SketchUp 8 tutorials are good resources, too.

    Unfortunately, SketchUp's future is uncertain, with feature development moving further towards a cloud-based subscription model. I switched to Blender in 2023.

    Extensions