Practical guide addressing the specific needs of interior planners and explaining the latest features of the professional, subscription-based version of SketchUp.
SketchUp for Interior Design, Second Edition shows interior designers, architects, planners, students and hobbyists how to design and model with this software. Step-by-step tutorials explain how to create 3D models and space plans, furniture, cabinetry, and accessories. Experiment with colors and materials, import manufacturers’ models, make client presentations and animated walk-throughs.
This edition features expanded coverage of the LayOut feature, the Component and Extension Warehouses, and has updates on the latest tools and functions.
Each chapter is packed with screenshots, making the instructions easy to follow. Files on a companion site let readers play along with the book’s examples.
SketchUp for Interior Design explains how to: - Choose or create a template and navigate the interface. - Use basic tools such as push/pull, circle, rectangle, eraser, pencil, and move, along with modifiers to perform different functions. - Download and install additional tools from the Extension Warehouse. - Import and trace paper sketches and AutoCAD plans for quick modeling. - Create scaled, 2D graphics from the model. - Create tables of design components.
With comprehensive, accessible coverage of SketchUp and its practical applications, SketchUp for Interior Design is an essential reference for anyone who wants to create spaces and communicate their ideas.
Table of Contents
Foreword xi
Why Read This Book? xi
What’s Covered? xi
Any Pre-reqs? xi
Computer and Version of SketchUp
Discussed in This Book xi
Extra Goodies xii
Further Resources xii
About the Companion Website xiii
Chapter 1: What Is SketchUp and How Do Interior Designers Use It? 1
What Is SketchUp? 1
What Is SketchUp Used For? 2
Who Uses SketchUp? 2
SketchUp Pro 2
SketchUp Free and SketchUp Shop 2
SketchUp Make 2017 2
Is SketchUp Easy to Learn? 3
Do I Need to Know AutoCAD? 3
Difference between Traditional CAD Drawings and Models 3
Solid Models 5
Surface Models 5
T-spline Models 5
Mesh Models 5
Building Information Management (BIM) 5
What SketchUp Pro Can Do 6
Summary 11
Further Resources 11
Chapter 2: Getting Started 13
Hardware, Operating System, and Browser Requirements 13
PC: Windows 11, Windows 10 13
Mac: OS 12+ (Monterey), 11+ (Big Sur), and Mac OS 10.15+ (Catalina) 13
Tablets 14
Viewer App 14
Video Card 14
Space Mouse 15
Download SketchUp Pro 15
Launch SketchUp Pro 16
Choose a Template 17
The Workspace 18
Menu Bar 19
Getting Started Toolbar 20
The Global Axes 20
Scale Figure 21
Bottom- left Screen Icons 21
Measurements Box 21
Panel Trays 22
Run Multiple SketchUp Files at the Same Time 22
Save Options 23
Backup Files 23
Save and Exit the Software 23
Summary 24
Further Resources 24
Chapter 3: Exploring the Interface 25
Add the Large Tool Set 25
The Search Tool 27
The Select Tool, Erase and Undo 27
The Rectangle Tool 28
The Inference Engine 28
The Rotated Rectangle Tool 30
The Circle Tool 30
The Push/Pull Tool 31
Impute Numbers 32
The Pan, Orbit, and Zoom Tools 33
Modifier Keys 35
The Escape Key 35
The Camera and the Views Toolbar 35
Selection Techniques 37
The Move Tool 39
Resize a Circle with the Move Tool 40
Customize the Workspace 40
Customize Toolbars on the PC 40
Customize the Getting Started Toolbar on the Mac 42
Make a Custom Template 42
The Help Function 45
Summary 45
Further Resources 46
Exercises 46
Chapter 4: Modeling Furniture 47
Faces and Edges 47
The Eraser Tool and Erasing 47
The Pencil and Freehand Tools 48
Make a Roof Ridge with the Move tool 50
Stickiness 50
What Is a Group? 52
Make a Group 52
Edit a Group 53
Causes of a Non- Filling Face 54
Best Practices for Modeling 55
Color- coordinate Axes and Model Lines by Changing the Edge Style Setting 55
Model a Table 56
Model the Tabletop 57
Guidelines and Guide Points 58
The Tape Measure’s Two Modes 58
Place Guidelines for the Table Legs 58
Model the Table Leg 59
What Is a Component? 59
Edit a Component and Make It Unique 60
Turn the Leg Square into a Component 60
Component Options 61
Copy the Leg Component 61
Add Volume to the Leg Component 62
Add the Leg’s Lower Part 62
How to Edit the Leg’s Length 62
Taper the Leg with the Scale Tool 63
Adjust Size with the Scale Tool 64
Draw the Apron 64
Add a Shadow 65
Model a Bookcase 65
Make a Shell with the Offset Tool 65
Group the Shell 66
Make and Array a Shelf Component 66
What Is Array? 66
Linear Array the Shelf Component 68
Change the Shelves’ Height and Depth 69
Add a Curved Apron with the 2-Point Arc Tool 69
What Is the Entity Info Box? 70
Make a Component Door 71
Make a Second Component Door and Mirror It 72
Model a Crown Molding 73
Put Glass in the Doors 73
A Translucent Workaround with the
Rotate Tool and Hide 74
Add Knobs with the Circle Tool 79
Model a Clock with Radial Array 80
Draw Clock Hands with Inference Matching 83
Summary 85
Exercises 85
Chapter 5: Drafting, Modeling, and Furnishing a Floor Plan 87
Prepare a Raster File for Import 87
Draft a Plan by Tracing a Raster Image 87
The Explode Function 89
How to Resize Geometry 89
Scale the Imported Floor Plan with the
Tape Measure 89
Change Line Color 94
Trace Interior Walls 95
Edge Styles Again 96
From Plan to Model 98
Add a Porch, Door, and Window 99
Flashing Planes 102
Draft a Plan from a Paper Sketch 102
The 3D Warehouse 105
Import a Door through the Components Tray 106
To Download into the Model or Not? 106
Component Door in Single- versus Double-sided Walls 109
Import Warehouse Furniture Through the Components Browser Search Field 109
Copy and Paste Between SketchUp Files 111
Paste In Place 112
See All Components Loaded in the Model with the In Model Icon 112
Purge and Delete Unused Components 112
Make a Local Collection and Link It to the
Components Browser 113
Create Plan and Elevation Views 116
The Section Tool 117
Make a Section Cut with Create Group
from Slice 117
Model a Building from an AutoCAD (DWG) Plan 119
Prepare a DWG File for Import 120
Import a DWG File of the Cottage 121
Model the DWG File 123
Export the File 125
Interact with Revit, 20- 20, and Chief Architect 125
“Clipping” (Disappearing Geometry) 125
Move Geometry with Coordinates 126
Add Tags to Control Visibility 126
Change Line Type with Tag 127
Modeling Tips 127
Model a Sloped Roof with the
Protractor Tool 128
Geo-locate a Model 129
Fun Exports and Imports 131
Is SketchUp Running Slow? 132
Make SketchUp Run Faster by Keeping the Polygon Count Down 132
Strategies to Make SketchUp Run Faster 133
Summary 136
Further Resources 136
Exercises 136
Chapter 6: Model a Two- story Interior 137
Explode and Clean Up the Imported DWG File 138
Create Faces 138
Model the Plan 139
Model and Group the First Floor’s Walls and Floor 140
Make Tags and Move Groups to Them 141
More About Tags 141
Add a Component Door 142
Nesting and Organization 144
The Outliner 144
Make a Second Floor Platform 146
Cut a Stairwell on the Second Floor 146
Draw the Staircase 147
Draw and Divide a Vertical Riser Line 147
Copy the Steps with a Linear Array 148
Add Volume to the Staircase 150
Model the Second Floor 151
Push/Pull the Walls Up 151
Create Edges with Intersect Faces with Model 152
Move the Second Floor onto the First 153
How to Click Two Corners Together 153
Modeling Tips 153
Make a Mansard Roof with Autofold 154
Field of View 155
Model Cabinets with Guidelines and the
3-Point Rectangle 156
Make Crown Molding with Follow Me 157
The Weld Function 158
Soften and Smooth 159
Model a Handrail 160
How to Search the 3D Warehouse 161
Viewing Components In Model 162
Download and Edit a Warehouse Staircase 163
Mirror with Flip Along 163
Mirror with the Scale Tool 164
Change the Staircase’s Height and Width with a Reference Line 164
Troublesome Components 164
Change a Component Axis with the Axis Tool 165
Change Orientation of Multiple Faces at Once 166
Change the Default Face Color 167
Summary 168
Exercises 168
Chapter 7: Painting with Colors, Materials, and Match Photo 169
What Is Painting? 169
Paint with Built- in SketchUp Materials 169
Painting on Groups versus Loose Geometry.. 170
The Paint Bucket Tool 171
Painting Shortcuts 172
Adjust a Color 174
Enter RGB Values 175
Sample, Save As, and Export on the PC 176
Translucency 176
Purge Unused Colors and Materials 177
Purge versus Delete 178
Paint with Materials 178
Edit a Material 179
Map SketchUp to a Digital Imaging Program.. 180
Import Materials from Other Models 180
Make New Materials Available to All of Your SketchUp Files 181
Check Face Orientation on Painted Surfaces with Entity Info and Face Style 182
Modeling Workflow 182
Photograph a Material for Import 183
Import a Material 183
Repeating and Seamless Materials 185
Import an Image 186
Erase an Image 187
Model Wall Art with an Imported Image 187
Model a Picture Frame with Follow Me 188
Image Placement Tips 188
Make and Link a Local Materials Collection on the PC 189
Import and Replace a Color or Texture on the Mac with Load 191
Drag Materials into the Model 191
Position a Material with Fixed and Free Pins 192
Fixed Pins 192
Free Pins 194
Straighten a Skewed Image with Free Pins.. 195
Paint on a Curved Surface 196
Paint on Draperies with Texture/Project 196
Paint Letters on a Cylinder with Texture/Project 198
Match Photo on an Interior Space 199
Use an Appropriate Photo 199
Import the Photo 199
Choose the Dialog Box Settings 199
Align the Photo’s Perspective to SketchUp’s Camera 201
Trace the Photo 202
Project the Photo 203
Scale the Model with the Tape Measure 203
Summary 203
Further Resources 204
Exercises 204
Chapter 8: Enhancing and Presenting the Model 205
Annotate the Model 205
The Dimension Tool 206
Edit the Dimension Stringer 207
Font Size: Points versus Height 208
The Text Tool 209
Screen Text versus Leader Text 209
Screen Text 209
Leader Text 209
Pushpin versus View Based Leaders 210
Dimension a Floor Plan 211
3D Text 212
Styles 213
Make a Shortcut to the Default Style 215
Remove the Sky 216
Watermark the File 216
Shadows and Shadow Settings 218
Scenes 218
Make Scenes of Different Designs 219
Animate with Scenes 223
The Camera Tools 225
Position Camera 225
Look Around 226
Walk 226
Dynamic Components 227
Live Components 229
Export a SketchUp File into a Different Format 229
Export a Model as a 2D Graphic 229
Export as a 3D File 230
Enhancing the Model 231
Enhance with Photoshop 231
Enhance with Rendering Programs 231
Enhance with Hand Rendering 231
Summary 235
Further Resources 235
Exercises 236
Chapter 9: Extensions 237
What’s an Extension? 237
The Extension Warehouse 238
Download and Install textureMe 240
Find the Extension 241
How Do Extensions Work? 242
Extension Manager 245
Developer 246
Make a Desktop Shortcut 246
Summary 246
Further Resources 246
Exercises 247
Chapter 10: Construction Documentation with Layout 249
What Is LayOut? 249
Prepare the SketchUp Model for LayOut 249
Create Scenes 249
Change Style and Properties 250
Make a Section View 250
Save and Send 252
Choose a Paper Size 252
The LayOut Workspace 254
The Yellow Warning Triangle and Updating the LayOut File 254
The Viewport 255
Copy the Viewport 255
Link Viewports to Scenes 256
Scale the Scenes 256
The Top of Screen Menu 257
File 257
View 260
Tools 261
Window 261
Help 261
Annotate the Views 261
The Scrapbook Tray 263
Add Line Weights 264
More LayOut Capabilities 266
Summary 266
Exercises 266
Index 267
