SketchUp 101: Essential Skills for Beginners

Weeks 1-2 breakdown

Week 1 – Getting Comfortable in 3D

• Installing/setting up SketchUp

• Interface, toolbars, and navigation

• Axes, camera movement, and selection

• Drawing accurately with basic tools

Week 2 – Building Clean 3D Geometry

• Push/Pull and basic volume modeling

• Walls, floors, openings, and simple objects

• Groups vs. components (and why it matters)

• How to avoid “sticking” geometry

Weeks 3-4 breakdown

Week 3 – Organizing Your Model

• Tags/layers, scenes, and basic styles

• A beginner-friendly file structure that keeps things clean

• Working with images or reference drawings

• Fixing common model issues

Week 4 – From Model to Simple Presentation

• Setting up scenes for screenshots or PDFs

• Simple, readable styles

• Exporting images to share with clients, classmates, or collaborators

• Next steps: what to focus on after this beginner SketchUp course

What’s included / how it works

In this online SketchUp course, you get:

• 4 live weekly sessions (90 minutes each): Short lessons, live demos, and guided modeling

• Recordings of every session: Watch or rewatch anytime if you can’t attend live

• Downloadable practice files: So you can follow along and keep building after class

• Live Q&A each week: Ask your questions and get help on the spot

This is the closest thing to having someone walk you through SketchUp step by step, with time to practice in between.

Attend live or on your own schedule

All sessions are recorded and shared shortly after each class. Whether you join live or prefer to learn at your own pace, you’ll have full access to the material.

Some participants attend every session live, while others catch up with the recordings—both approaches work well, and you’ll receive the same content, demos, and resources either way.

Please note that live Q&A and support are available during the scheduled course dates. If you’re watching recordings after the series has ended, I’m happy to help with brief follow-up questions when possible, but in-depth support may require joining the next live run or booking private training.

Requirements

To get the most out of this beginner SketchUp course, you’ll need:

• SketchUp Pro 2025 (trial or licensed version)
• Desktop or laptop computer capable of running SketchUp Pro
• Stable internet connection for live sessions and video streaming
• (Recommended) A 3-button scroll-wheel mouse for smoother navigation and modeling

This class is designed around the desktop version of SketchUp, not SketchUp for iPad.

Refund policy

No refunds or credits will be issued due to:

• Software incompatibility

• Trouble installing or running SketchUp

• Using unsupported devices (for example, iPads or older systems)

It’s your responsibility to confirm that your system can run the required software before registering. We can’t offer refunds for issues that arise from system incompatibility or missing installations.

Once a live series has started, we’re unable to issue refunds or partial refunds for any reason, including if the class content does not meet your expectations.

If you’re unsure whether this class is right for you, please reach out before registering—I’m happy to answer any questions or help you choose the best fit. If you encounter difficulties during the course, I’m committed to providing support so you can get the most out of the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this class best for?
SketchUp 101 is designed for true beginners and early users. If you’ve never opened SketchUp before — or you’ve clicked around, watched a few videos, and still feel lost or messy — you’re in the right place. It’s especially helpful for interior designers, architects, contractors, design-build professionals, educators, students, and hobbyists who want a solid foundation for real projects.

Do I need to know anything about 3D modeling before I join?
No previous 3D experience is required. We start with the basics and build up step by step. If you already know a little SketchUp, you’ll likely fill in gaps, clean up bad habits, and finally understand why certain things keep breaking in your models.

What software do I need for this course?
You’ll need the desktop version of SketchUp Pro 2025 installed on a computer that can run it reliably, plus a stable internet connection. I also strongly recommend a 3-button scroll-wheel mouse for smoother navigation and modeling. This course is built around the desktop version of SketchUp Pro. 

What if I can’t attend all of the live sessions?
All sessions are recorded and shared shortly after each class. You can join live, watch the recordings later, or do a mix of both. You’ll get the same core content, demos, and practice files either way. Live Q&A and support happen during the scheduled course dates; if you’re catching up later, I’m happy to help with brief follow-up questions when possible, but deeper support may require joining a future live run or booking private training.

How much time should I set aside each week?
Plan on 90 minutes for the live session plus about 1–2 hours of optional practice time. If you can give yourself a couple of extra practice blocks between sessions, you’ll get a lot more out of the course — but you’ll still benefit even if you can only attend live.

Will we cover rendering (like Enscape) or LayOut in this course?
No. SketchUp 101 focuses on core modeling skills: navigation, clean geometry, organization, and simple presentation from inside SketchUp. Rendering and LayOut workflows are logical next steps once your foundations are solid. This class is meant to prepare you for those more advanced topics.

Can I get help with my own project during the course?
There will be time for questions and quick troubleshooting during live Q&A, and you’re welcome to ask about your project. That said, this isn’t a full project-coaching or one-on-one consulting format. If you’d like deeper, project-specific guidance, private training or team training would be a better fit.

Do you offer refunds if it doesn’t work out for me?
Because this is a live series with limited spots, and because you get access to recordings, I’m not able to offer refunds once the course starts. I also can’t offer refunds or credits for software incompatibility, trouble installing SketchUp, or using unsupported devices (like iPads or older systems). It’s important to make sure your system can run SketchUp Pro before registering.

If you’re unsure whether the class is right for you, please reach out with your questions before you sign up — I’m happy to help you decide.

What happens if I have technical issues during class?
If something comes up on your end (internet drops, computer crash, etc.), you’ll still have access to the full session recording and practice files. If there’s ever a major issue on my end that disrupts a session, I’ll reschedule or add additional support time so you’re not missing material.