SketchUp for Interior Design

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.

Lydia Sloan Cline is a professor at Johnson County Community College, where she teaches SketchUp, Fusion 360, AutoCAD, 3D Printing, and manual drafting. She has worked with leading architecture firms such as Populous and Gresham Smith and Partners, and is also the author of Architectural Drafting for Interior Designers.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Why Read this Book?

What’s Covered?

Any Pre-Reqs?

Computer and Version of SketchUp Discussed in this Book

Extra Goodies

Further Resources

1. What is SketchUp and How Do Interior Designers Use It?

What is SketchUp?

What is SketchUp Used For?

Who Uses SketchUp?

SketchUp Pro

SketchUp Free and SketchUp Shop

SketchUp Make 2017

Is SketchUp Easy to Learn?

Do I Need to Know AutoCAD?

Difference Between Traditional CAD Drawings and Models

Solid Models

Surface Models

Tspline Models

Mesh Models

BIM

What SketchUp Pro Can Do

Summary

Further Resources

2. Getting Started

Hardware, Operating System, and Browser Requirements

PC

Mac

Tablets

Viewer App

Video Card

Space Mouse

Download SketchUp Pro

Launch SketchUp Pro

Choose a Template

The Workspace

• Menu Bar

• Getting Started Toolbar

• Three Axes

• Scale Figure

• Bottom-Left Screen Icons

• Measurements Box

• Panel Trays

Run Multiple SketchUp Files at the Same Time

Save Options

Backup Files

Save and Exit the Software

Summary

Further Resources

3. Exploring the Interface

Add the Large Tool Set

The Search Tool

The Select Tool, Erase and Undo

The Rectangle Tool

The Inference Engine

The Rotated Rectangle Tool

The Circle Tool

The Push/Pull Tool

Impute Numbers

The Pan, Orbit and Zoom Tools

Modifier Keys

The Escape Key

The Camera and the Views Toolbar

Selection Techniques

• Selection Window

• Crossing Window

• Right Click

• Single, Double and Triple Clicks

• Shift and Control Keys

The Move Tool

Resize a Circle with the Move Tool

Customize the Workspace

Customize Toolbars on the PC

Customize the Getting Started Toolbar on the Mac

Make a Custom Template

The Help Function

Summary

Further Resources

Exercises

4. Modeling Furniture

Faces and Edges

The Eraser Tool and Erasing

The Pencil and Freehand Tools

Make a Roof Ridge with the Move Tool

Stickiness

What is a Group?

Make a Group

Edit a Group

Causes of a Non-Filling Face

Best Practices for Modeling

Color-Coordinate Axes and Model Lines by Changing the Edge Style Setting

Model a Table

• Model the Table Top

• Guidelines and Guide Points

• The Tape Measure’s Two Modes

• Place Guidelines for the Table Legs

• Model the Table Leg

• What is a Component?

• Edit a Component and Make it Unique

• Turn the Leg Square into a Component

• Component Options

• Copy the Leg Component

• Add Volume to the Leg Component

• Add the Leg’s Lower Part

• How to Edit the Leg’s Length

Taper the Leg with the Scale Tool

Adjust Size with the Scale Tool

Draw the Apron

Add a Shadow

Model a Bookcase

• Make a Shell with the Offset Tool

• Group the Shell

Make and Array a Shelf Component

• What is Array?

• Linear Array the Shelf Component

• Change the Shelves’ Height and Depth

Add a Curved Apron with the 2-Point Arc Tool

What is the Entity Info Box?

Make a Component Door

Make a Second Component Door and Mirror It

Put Glass in the Doors

A Translucent Workaround with the Rotate Tool and Hide

Add Knobs with the Circle Tool

Model a Clock with Radial Array

Model Clock Hands with Inference Matching

Summary

Exercises

Chapter 5 Drafting, Modeling and Furnishing a Floor Plan

Prepare a Raster File for Import

Draft a Plan by Tracing a Raster Image

The Explode Function

How to Resize Geometry

Change Line Color

Trace Interior Walls

Edge Styles Again

From Plan to Model

Add a Porch, Door, and Window

Flashing Planes

Draft a Plan from a Paper Sketch

The 3D Warehouse

Import a Door Through the Components Tray

To Download into the Model or Not?

Component Door in Single vs. Double Sided Walls

Import Warehouse Furniture Through the Components Browser Search Field

Copy and Paste in Place Between SketchUp Files

Paste in Place

See All Components Loaded in th Model with the In Model Icon

Purge and Delete Unused Components

Make a Local Collection and Link It to the Components Browser

Create Plan and Elevation Views

The Section Tool

Model a Building from an AutoCAD Plan

Prepare a DWG File for Import

Import a DWG File of the Cottage

Model the DWG File

Export the File

“Clipping” (Disappearing Geometry)

Move Geometry with Coordinates

Add Tags to Control Visibility

Change Line Type with the Tag Tool

Modeling Tips

Model a Sloped Roof with the Protractor Tool

Geo-Locate a Model

Fun Exports and Imports

Is SketchUp Running Slow?

Make SketchUp Run Faster by Keeping the Polygon Count Down

Strategies to Make SketchUp Run Faster

Summary

Further Resources

Exercises

Chapter 6 Model a Two-Story Interior

Explode and Clean Up the Imported DWG File

Create Faces on the Imported Plan

Model the Plan

Model and Group the First Floor’s Walls and Floor

Make Tags and Move Groups to Them

More About Tags

Add a Component Door

Nesting and Organization

The Outliner

Cut a Stairwell in the Second Floor

Draw the Staircase

• Draw and Divide a Vertical Riser Line

• Copy the Steps with a Linear Array

• Add Volume to the Staircase

Model the Second Floor

• Push/Pull the Walls Up

• Create Edges with Intersect Faces with Model

Move the Second Floor onto the First

Tip for Clicking Two Corners Together

Modeling Tips

Autofold a Mansard Roof

Field of View

Model Cabinets with Guidelines and the 3-Point Rectangle

Model Crown Molding with Follow Me

The Weld Function

Soften and Smooth

Model a Handrail

How to Search the 3D Warehouse

Download and Edit a Warehouse Staircase

Mirror with Flip Along

Mirror with the Scale Tool

Change the Staircase’s Height and Width with a Reference Line

Troublesome Components

Change a Component Axis with the Axis Tool

Change Orientation of Multiple Faces at Once

Change the Default Face Color

Summary

Exercises

Chapter 7 Painting with Colors, Materials and Match Photo

What is Painting?

Paint with Built-In SketchUp Materials

Painting on Groups vs. Loose Geometry

The Paint Bucket Tool

Painting Shortcuts

Adjust a Color

Enter RGB Values

Sample, Save As and Export on the PC

Translucency

Purge Unused Colors and Materials

Purge vs. Delete

Paint with Materials

Edit a Material

Map SketchUp to a Digital Imaging Program

Import Materials from Other Models

Import Colors and Materials from a Local Collection

Modeling Workflow

Photograph a Material for Import

Import a Material

Make New Materials Available to All Your SketchUp Files

Check Face Orientation on Painted Surfaces with Entity Info and Face Style

Modeling Workflow

Photograph a Material for Import

Import a Material

Repeating and Seamless Materials

Import an Image

Erase an Image

Model Wall Art with an Imported Image

Model a Picture Frame with Follow Me

Image Placement Tips

Make and Link a Local Materials Collection on the PC

Import and Replace a Color or Texture on the Mac with Load

Drag Materials into the Model

Position a Material with Fixed and Free Pins

• Fixed Pins

• Free Pins

• Straighten a Skewed Image with Free Pins

Paint on a Curved Surface

• Paint on Draperies with Texture/Project

• Paint Letters on a Cylinder with Texture/Project

Match Photo on an Interior Space

• Use an Appropriate Photo

• Import the Photo

• Choose Dialog Box Settings

• Align the Photo’s Perspective to SketchUp’s Camera

• Trace the Photo

• Project the Photo

• Scale the Model with the Tape Measure

Summary

Exercises

Further Resources

Chapter 8 Enhancing and Presenting the Model

Annotate the Model

The Dimension Tool

• Edit the Dimension Stringer

• Font Size: Points and Height

The Text Tool

• Screen Text

• Leader Text

• Pushpin vs. View-Based Leaders

Dimension a Floor Plan

3D Text

Styles

Make a Shortcut to the Default Style

Remove the Sky

Watermark the File

Shadows and Shadow Settings

Scenes

Make Scenes of Different Designs

Animate with Scenes

The Camera Tools

• Position Camera

• Look Around

• Walk

Dynamic Components

Live Components

Export a SketchUp Model into a Different Format

• Export as a 2D Graphic

• Export as a 3D File

Enhancing the Model

• Enhance with Photoshop

• Enhance with Rendering Programs

• Enhance with Hand Rendering

Summary

Further Resources

Exercises

Chapter 9 Extensions

What’s an Extension?

The Extension Warehouse

Download and Install textureMe

Find the Extension

How Do Extensions Work?

Extension Manager

Developer

Make a Desktop Shortcut

Summary

Further Resources

Exercises

Chapter 10 Construction Documentation with LayOut

What is LayOut?

Prepare the SketchUp Model for LayOut

• Create Scenes

• Change Style and Properties

• Make a Section View

Save and Send

• Choose a Paper Size

The LayOut Workspace

The Yellow Warning Triangle and Updating the LayOut File

The Viewport

• Copy the Viewport

• Link Viewports to Scenes

• Scale the Scenes

The Top of Screen Menu

• File

• View

• Tools

• Window

• Help

Annotate the Views

The Scrapbook Tray

Add Line Weights

More LayOut Capabilities

Summary

Exercises

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.