Sketchup Course

Preferences setup Preview 01:29

Setting up the SketchUp model to you preference of imperial or metric measurements, snapping to a particular length when moving objects and precision settings.

Setting up layers Preview 03:26

The 1st stage of the workflow set up - setting up a whole host of layers that we'll be able to use to categorise every object in our model.

Setting up styles Preview 08:23

The second stage of the workflow setup - setting up different style options for different ways to display the model - from a 'normal' view with textures showing to a specialist view to check the geometry of the model faces are aligned correctly (extremely important when it comes to rendering our model).

Setting up scenes Preview 08:25

The final stage of the workflow setup - bringing styles, layers, camera angles and specific sections cuts together into Scenes. This means that at the top of your screen you have quick 'tabs' that you can use to easily switch between all sorts of technical and useful views of your model.

Exercise: Complete your Template and save it Preview 00:14

Practice exercise

Bring in reference image Preview 03:14

Learn how to bring in an image of the measurements you take on site. This makes it quick and easy to replicate the model. I provide a sample drawing to work from - everyone on the course is designing the same example room. Check the resources section of this lecture to find the PNG file with the site measurements.

Build walls Preview 04:25

Here we build and categorise the walls that make our existing architecture. Its the first time we see how to use our layers and organisational system properly.

Build the rest of the 'existing' architecture Preview 04:20

After the walls are built we add the rest of the existing architecture - in this case door, windows, floor and ceiling. This completes the 'frame' of the space you are designing for your client.

Exercise: Build the sample room's 'existing' architecture Preview 00:15

Practice exercise

Adding and organising furniture from the 3d warehouse Preview 01:52

The simplest step in creating our design is importing furnishings from the 3d warehouse. This lecture shows how to organise the groups and layers so that the model works with the system we're learning.

The door - how to model objects that are different in 2d and 3d Preview 05:31

Some objects need to be drawn differently in 2d and 3d - for example a door in 2d is drawn with an arc to denote the swing of the outer edge, whereas in 3d it would not make sense to show this arc. In this lecture we discover how to make these types of objects work correctly in both views!

Exercise: Add a piece of furniture and correct your door Preview 00:19

Practice exercise

Our first render! Preview 03:03

Woo hoo! We're going to do a render! This first step covers how you install and use Twilight in its simplest form.

Editing the 'environment' - sun, sky and background Preview 02:39

The quickest way to adjust the render is to tweak the environment settings. This controls what imagery is shown in the background, and it adjusts the overall ambient light that reaches your model.

Editing materials - add a reflective surface! Preview 05:14

We're creating a mirror in this lecture - one that will actually reflect what it should reflect! It will introduce the learner to the different materials we can apply to a surface using Twilights built-in choices.

Adding and editing real lights to your model Preview 04:47

Real lighting! In your SketchUp model! It's easy to add Twilight light sources to your model, and edit their settings to match real-world lights by finding their physical size, K-colour value and Lumens strength.

Organising the lights within the model Preview 01:41

By organising the lighting in a certain way, we're going to be able to generate 2d electrician plans with just one click.

Adding 'bump' textures to surfaces Preview 03:38

Some surfaces are noticeably textured - tiles, bricks, wood, even specific paint effects. Instead of needing to actually create these textures in your model, you can apply a bump image to the surface using Twilight. We learn how to do this by creating a clay/terracotta style wall which is smooth in the model, but rendered with distinct texture.

Exercise: A prelim render with realism details Preview 00:22

Practice exercise

Tweaking the model settings and adding realism Preview 03:13

Our renders are never going to be perfect first time - heres where we learn how to adjust settings here and there, and how to add objects so that our renders look really realistic - to the point where you wonder if its a photograph or a model.

Non-Progressive Rendering Preview 01:33

The simplest (and my most used) render setting is a non-progressive render. We learn what this means and what number to go for.

Progressive Rendering Preview 01:21

For truly stunning photo-realistic, portfolio-ready renders it is likely you'll need to choose a progressive render. This lecture explains how to use them (and why you might not want to).

Advanced rendering options Preview 01:54

The printable workbook that comes with this course explains these advanced settings in detail, but we learn a little about these settings in this short lecture.

Exercise: Design your Interior and render in 3 ways Preview 00:20

Practice exercise

Producing architectural drawings - plans and elevations Preview 04:11

It takes less than 5 minutes to explain how to generate 2d architectural drawings from plans, elevations, sections and detail, to specific plans needed for Electricians and Plumbers in your Interior Design Project. THATs how powerful this organisation system is - hours of work in just a few clicks.

Exercise: Produce a 2d plan of your design Preview 00:15

Practice exercise

Wrapping up the lectures Preview 01:40

Wow the bulk of the course is finished! Well done! I'm covering very quickly why you might find loads of bonus lectures in the future and asking students to ask questions and show-off their new portfolio.