Taking SketchUp Pro to the Next Level

Book excerpt: Create beautiful custom materials and leverage powerful extensions for efficient modeling Key FeaturesUnderstand how to get the most out of SketchUp's powerful native tools with key images printed in colorCustomize and transform your workspace for efficient 3D modelingGo beyond SketchUp's capabilities with extensions and free online resourcesBook Description Anyone who's worked with it will know that SketchUp is the quickest and easiest way to create 3D models. While its approachable interface makes it super easy to learn, this book will show you how the extremely capable SketchUp software can take you far beyond what you may have initially thought possible. Get ready to level up from a basic user to becoming a SketchUp ninja! Each chapter will take you through the capabilities of SketchUp, challenging you to use tools in innovative ways. This includes organizing your model, modifying native commands, customizing your interface, utilizing inferencing, and much more. Additionally, you'll learn about the extensions that can be added to SketchUp to supplement the tools you have been using, allowing you to make your 3D modeling process quicker, easier, and more powerful. By the end of this SketchUp book, you'll have an enhanced understanding of how to use the impressive range of tools and be on your way to customizing SketchUp for your one-of-a-kind workflow. What you will learnRecap the basics of navigation and SketchUp's native modeling toolsModify commands, toolbars, and shortcuts to improve your modeling efficiencyUse default templates, as well as create custom templatesOrganize your models with groups, components, tags, and scenesAnalyze your own modeling workflow and understand how to improve itDiscover extensions and online repositories that unlock the advanced capabilities of SketchUpLeverage your existing SketchUp Pro subscription for even better resultsWho this book is for This book is for designers, architects, and professional modelers who have used SketchUp before, perhaps self-taught, or have completed software training but find themselves needing more than just the basics from SketchUp. The book assumes that you have spent some time in SketchUp and have basic modeling experience.