SketchUp For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1

The SketchUp Setup

IN THIS CHAPTER

Choosing a SketchUp version

Getting to know the SketchUp interface

Touring SketchUp

Getting ready to work in SketchUp

SketchUp is known for its simplicity, and it’s common for people to jump right in and start modeling. Even if you already have a running (with scissors) start, we think you’ll find it useful to go all the way back to the beginning so we can explain how to get set up for success in SketchUp.

To us, a good setup means building habits that decrease the overall mental effort required to operate SketchUp. That’s right: The way to get better and faster in SketchUp is to think less about SketchUp.

In the first part of this chapter, we run through the basic setup routine. Stick with us, because after we show you how to launch SketchUp, we jump right into the most important skills that most people never pick up. Finally, we get you oriented in SketchUp, both practically and on a meta level.

Picking a Version of SketchUp

2020 is SketchUp’s 20th birthday, so there have been quite a few versions of it in the past. Today, multiple ...