Learning SketchUp

Well I took the suggestion in A Newbie Question and learned to draw a cube, rectangular box, a triangular pyramid, a 3 axial concentric circle, but I still don’t get the way this program thinks. I am likely making this harder than it really is but anyone out there with a clue to my problem?

Have you had a look at our “Getting Started” video tutorials yet?

john
.

1 Like

Hi Walto, You not really stating what you problem is. Can you elaborate a little

phil

Do you have an object in mind that you want to model? The videos are great - it’s what I started with, along with reading through the manual - now the online knowledge base. But I also had specific things I wanted to model which gave me the impetus to master the tools in SU. Share an image of something you want to model so people can suggest how to make it with the tools in SU.

2 Likes

Yes, I went through all 4 of the videos. My frustration stems from my ability to draft with paper &pencil relatively quickly. I have completed top, side and front views of a Queen Anne platform with storage drawers in about 2 1/2 hours. I can’t even get a preliminary perspective view sketched. I just don’t get the insights of the program. I feel sure that I am creating some of my own blocks to catching on.


From: jbacus <info@unconfigured.discourse.org>; To: <noslow@att.net>; Subject: [SketchUp Forum] Learning SketchUp Sent: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 5:52:03 AM

jbacus

September 6

Have you had a look at our “Getting Started” video tutorials yet?

john .

To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/2 in your browser.


Previous Replies

walto September 6

Well I took the suggestion in A Newbie Question and learned to draw a cube, rectangular box, a triangular pyramid, a 3 axial concentric circle, but I still don't get the way this program thinks. I am likely making this harder than it really is but anyone out there with a clue to my problem?


To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/2 in your browser.

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walto,

Don’t think of it as “sketching a perspective view.” Think of it as building the Queen Anne platform, piece by piece, and then putting the pieces together.

The activity you’re performing is “modeling.” Although you use tools to draw shapes as you work, the analogy is really much closer to building than drawing. As for the view, that will take care of itself: you concentrate on the workpiece and let SU’s orbit, pan, and zoom controls give you exactly the view you need to see what you’re doing at any given time. You shouldn’t even have to think about adjusting your view as you work, any more than you have to think about bending over something in the real world to get a better look at it.

So start building individual pieces first, gradually adding detail. Then group or make components of those pieces, then snap them together with gratifying precision.

-Gully

Bestistmate, Phil,
I am trying to learn to draw in perspective view and can not get to first base. In high school, I learned to draft pretty well. I can complete a top, side, and front view or elevation of a platform storage unit in about 2 1/2 hours. I have always had some problems with perspective drawing, especially with the vanishing point usually several feet off the sheet. But apparently I can not think in this frame well enough to use the program to accomplish my task.


From: bestistmate <info@unconfigured.discourse.org>; To: <noslow@att.net>; Subject: [SketchUp Forum] Learning SketchUp Sent: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 8:20:35 AM

bestistmate

September 6

Hi Walto, You not really stating what you problem is. Can you elaborate a little

phil


To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/3 in your browser.

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Catamountain,
I do not have an image of the desired platform. I do not even know if anything like I am planning, actually have started to build, exists. I just wanted to try to learn to use the program and if it was as easy as drafting, then maybe I would convert to computer drawing in the future. I am just frustrated. The object is a Queen Anne platform storage unit of two drawers. The platform is to support a pair of wash cabinets, one Georgian, the other Elizabethian, that I plan to use to house the sinks in the bathroom. I can not think of a simple pedastle base so I am going to make an attempt at a storage unit.


From: catamountain <info@unconfigured.discourse.org>; To: <noslow@att.net>; Subject: [SketchUp Forum] Learning SketchUp Sent: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 5:44:09 PM

catamountain

September 6

Do you have an object in mind that you want to model? The videos are great - it’s what I started with, along with reading through the manual - now the online knowledge base. But I also had specific things I wanted to model which gave me the impetus to master the tools in SU. Share an image of something you want to model so people can suggest how to make it with the tools in SU.


To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/4 in your browser.

To unsubscribe from these emails, visit your user preferences.

If I understand you, you suggest that I sketch each piece of the project separately and then stick them together? How do I set specific measurements on the parts I draw, since without a ruler, I never draw accurately? Where do I store them until I finish and put them together?


From: Gully_Foyle <info@unconfigured.discourse.org>; To: <noslow@att.net>; Subject: [SketchUp Forum] Learning SketchUp Sent: Sun, Sep 7, 2014 3:11:28 AM

Gully_Foyle

September 6

walto,

Don't think of it as "sketching a perspective view." Think of it as building the Queen Anne platform, piece by piece, and then putting the pieces together.

The activity you're performing is "modeling." Although you use tools to draw shapes as you work, the analogy is really much closer to building than drawing. As for the view, that will take care of itself: you concentrate on the workpiece and let SU's orbit, pan, and zoom controls give you exactly the view you need to see what you're doing at any given time. You shouldn't even have to think about adjusting your view as you work, any more than you have to think about bending over something in the real world to get a better look at it.

So start building individual pieces first, gradually adding detail. Then group or make components of those pieces, then snap them together with gratifying precision.

-Gully

To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/6 in your browser.


Previous Replies

walto September 6

Yes, I went through all 4 of the videos. My frustration stems from my ability to draft with paper &pencil relatively quickly. I have completed top, side and front views of a Queen Anne platform with storage drawers in about 2 1/2 hours. I can't even get a preliminary perspective view sketched. I just don't get the insights of the program. I feel sure that I am creating some of my own blocks to catching on.


From: jbacus <info@unconfigured.discourse.org>; To: <noslow@att.net>; Subject: [SketchUp Forum] Learning SketchUp Sent: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 5:52:03 AM

jbacus September 6

Have you had a look at our "Getting Started" video tutorials yet?

john .

To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/2 in your browser.


Previous Replies

walto September 6

Well I took the suggestion in A Newbie Question and learned to draw a cube, rectangular box, a triangular pyramid, a 3 axial concentric circle, but I still don't get the way this program thinks. I am likely making this harder than it really is but anyone out there with a clue to my problem?


To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/2 in your browser.

To unsubscribe from these emails, visit your user preferences.


To respond, reply to this email or visit http://forums.sketchup.com/t/learning-sketchup/917/6 in your browser.

To unsubscribe from these emails, visit your user preferences.

Typically, the transition from manual drafting to SketchUp is something folks find easier than the transition from traditional CAD systems… but your first voyage into 3D modeling is going to be tough (see my Quora answer on “Why is 3D modeling so frustrating”)

Maybe you could post a couple screenshots showing how you’re working, give us a sense for how best to help you over the hump.

john
.

You should be aware that many more than 4 tutorial videos are available. Start with these: http://www.sketchup.com/learn/videos

There are so many informative videos out there. This is by far the most simple and easy software to learn. Anyone willing to invest a minimum of time can become proficient in its use.

This may not be related to many of your questions, but understanding and learning the mouse movements and clicks/shortcuts certainly helped me to understand how the program works, and “thinks” a bit better. In Sketchup, you use the mouse in a very unique way than any other program I have used. Mastering the mouse has helped me develop more insight into things, perhaps it can help you too! I would recommend using a 3-button mouse, if you do not already. Transitioning from hand-drawing, to a computer program can be challenging, and your hand and brain work differently together - good thing Sketchup can make it easy!

See some resources here:
http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/95080