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SketchUp Certification Course: Master 3D Modeling for Architecture and Design

Last updated: Oct 17 2025

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Overview​

This Certification Course will cover the software Sketchup by Trimble, Inc. Sketching is the quickest way to visualize complex 2D and 3D ideas, and that's the basis of the 3D Modeling Software called Sketchup.

Sketchup is one of the most intuitive 3D surface modelers and has a friendly CAD Interface to help you create, develop and manage 3D projects. To become proficient in using the software, it's important to have a solid introduction, fundamentals for how it works, and some fundamentals of 3D Modeling in general, especially with regard to application in real world projects.

Whether you are a complete beginner or someone with a bit of experience; we cover everything from the very basics up to proficient use. The course has 8 Modules comprising all the subjects you must learn to understand how Sketchup works and how to design and document your Sketchup projects.

tip

Sketchup's motto is "3D For Everyone" and this is not an understatement. Sketchup is easy to learn and grasp due to its simplicity and intuitive methods of form creation.

Features​

  • Explicit Modeling: Bring your ideas to life with Sketchup
  • Intuitive Interface: One of the most intuitive and efficient ways for designing, documenting, and communicate your ideas in 3D
  • Visualization Tools: Powerful in-house features to create everything from more raw sketchy images to photo-realistic renders to explanatory animations
  • Documentation: LayOut tool for creating construction documents from your SketchUp model
  • Collaboration: Native collaboration tools and best practices for team work

What You'll Learn​

  • How to create your ideas with ease using Sketchup's intuitive methods
  • Visualization techniques from raw sketchy images to photo-realistic renders
  • Documentation using LayOut for construction documentation
  • Collaboration tools and best practices for architecture offices
  • Material creation and texturing
  • Environment creation with sunlight and shadows
  • Working with rendering plugins like Vray and Lumion

Course Modules​

Module 1: Fundamentals of Sketchup​

  • Introduction to Sketchup (01min 25seg)
  • The abilities of Sketchup (02min 52seg)
  • Designing in Sketchup (02min 33seg)
  • Downloading and installing Sketchup (02min 40seg)
  • Different versions of Sketchup (03min 03seg)
  • Basic principles (06min 55seg)
  • Forms in Sketchup (08min 45seg)
  • The interface - viewports (16min 05seg)
  • The interface - menu (10min 16seg)
  • The interface - tray icons (18min 25seg)
  • Creating and transforming shapes (18min 07seg)
  • Final items on the tray menu (04min 28seg)
  • Management toolbars (11min 17seg)
  • Modeling a demo house - part 1 (18min 46seg)
  • Modeling a demo house - part 2 (14min 55seg)
  • Modeling a demo house - part 3 (10min 16seg)
  • Covering the remaining toolbars (05min 45seg)
  • Sketchup's 3D warehouse (02min 20seg)

Module 2: Intermediate Modeling in Sketchup​

  • Introduction (02min 01seg)
  • Principles of intermediate modeling (02min 31seg)
  • Importing the Farnsworth House floorplan (03min 35seg)
  • Modeling the floors and structure (25min 25seg)
  • Adding the final details (21min 07seg)
  • Important fundamentals to remember (04min 09seg)
  • Solid geometry operations (08min 21seg)
  • Using the Follow Me tool (19min 20seg)
  • Conclusion (01min 45seg)

Module 3: Advanced Modeling in Sketchup​

  • Introduction (01min 56seg)
  • Principles of visualization (03min 21seg)
  • Applying materials to your model (22min 39seg)
  • Importing custom components - windows (04min 43seg)
  • Importing custom components - doors (08min 08seg)
  • Sun, shadows and styles (18min 35seg)
  • Exporting visuals and texture correction (14min 04seg)
  • Creating annotations (14min 26seg)
  • Section cuts explained (05min 38seg)
  • Geolocation tool (05min 15seg)
  • Photo match tool - part 1 (21min 41seg)
  • Photo match tool - part 2 (08min 08seg)
  • Conclusion and useful resources (03min 26seg)

Module 4: Digital Rendering​

  • Introduction (00min 53seg)
  • Module requirements (01min 56seg)
  • Visualization principles (12min 16seg)
  • Choosing a rendering software (07min 59seg)
  • Photoshop layer techniques (09min 47seg)
  • Photoshop assembling (21min 48seg)
  • Sketching techniques (15min 42seg)
  • Vray for Sketchup (20min 13seg)
  • Lumion for Sketchup (06min 56seg)
  • Interior render setup (13min 10seg)
  • Lighting setup (10min 31seg)
  • Applying materials (14min 51seg)
  • Exterior render setup (22min 14seg)
  • Animations in Sketchup (15min 55seg)
  • Conclusion (05min 15seg)

Module 5: Building Information Modeling​

  • Introduction (01min 50seg)
  • BIM principles (07min 30seg)
  • Design process - concepts (01min 34seg)
  • Schematic Design process (15min 50seg)
  • Design Development process (35min 39seg)
  • Construction Documents process (03min 37seg)
  • Building management design (02min 34seg)
  • BIM in Sketchup introduction (01min 25seg)
  • Drawing BIM walls (06min 05seg)
  • Drawing BIM doors and windows (06min 44seg)
  • Drawing BIM floors (09min 14seg)
  • Drawing BIM roofs (04min 37seg)
  • Creating a BIM drawing set (03min 06seg)
  • Drawing BIM structure (06min 01seg)
  • Creating the second floor and stairs (08min 28seg)
  • BIM takeoff pricing (02min 33seg)
  • BIM conclusion (01min 23seg)
  • File system (03min 42seg)
  • Conclusion and resources (05min 52seg)

Module 6: Digital Fabrication​

  • Introduction (02min 15seg)
  • Principles of digital fabrication (07min 29seg)
  • Concepts of digital fabrication (13min 33seg)
  • Buildability (05min 35seg)
  • 3D printing our model (09min 59seg)
  • Different connection joints explained (03min 37seg)
  • Converting models for 3D printing (13min 48seg)
  • Designing custom supports for 3D printing (07min 12seg)
  • Preparing our model for 3D printing (12min 56seg)
  • Conclusion (04min 12seg)

Module 7: Automation and Parametric Design​

  • Introduction (02min 06seg)
  • Principles of parametric design (07min 26seg)
  • What is parametric design (10min 57seg)
  • Sine wave explained (04min 24seg)
  • Dynamic components - part 1 (15min 20seg)
  • Dynamic components - part 2 (14min 15seg)
  • Dynamic components - part 3 (06min 48seg)
  • Ruby scripting in Sketchup - part 1 (09min 54seg)
  • Ruby scripting in Sketchup - part 2 (26min 48seg)
  • Conclusion (05min 03seg)

Module 8: Documentation​

  • Introduction (02min 18seg)
  • Principles of creating construction documents (08min 12seg)
  • Think like a builder (10min 14seg)
  • Modeling a construction detail section (29min 49seg)
  • Graphic standards (07min 42seg)
  • Custom scrapbooks (13min 37seg)
  • Collaboration tools - part 1 (18min 07seg)
  • Collaboration tools - part 2 (01min 28seg)
  • Collaboration tools - part 3 (02min 47seg)
  • Collaboration tools - part 4 (02min 27seg)
  • Exporting from Layout to CAD (02min 07seg)
  • Exporting to PDF (07min 00seg)
  • Conclusion (07min 00seg)

Target Audience​

  • Architecture and design professionals
  • 3D modeling enthusiasts
  • Students of architecture and design
  • Interior designers
  • Construction professionals
  • Anyone looking to master SketchUp for professional use
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link:https://www.thinkparametric.com/courses/sketchup-certification-course-master-3d-modeling-for-architecture-and-design