How much time can you afford to waste?
Recently, a Residential Architect named Tom told me an all too familiar story about trying to teach himself SketchUp:
"I kept hearing good things about SketchUp. Architects like me clearly love using it, so one day I finally decided it was time to give it a try.
Going into things, my goal was to be able to design homes in SketchUp and then create construction documents with LayOut."
"Everybody told me SketchUp was easy to learn, so I downloaded it, and immediately tried to model my own house.
And I was doing pretty well until I hit a snag trying to model the roof.
After struggling in SketchUp for a bit, I searched the internet for some help, and found a video tutorial.
I was able to follow the steps in the tutorial and get something close enough to what I wanted, so I moved on, and continued to model my house.
But progress got slower and slower.
The closer I got to completing the model, the more often I got stuck and had to search the internet for how to get unstuck.
Eventually though, I got to a point where my SketchUp model was pretty much done. And I thought, 'Not too bad for my first time with SketchUp.'
BUT the first time I used it on the job, it was a very different story.
I was on a deadline, everything in the model needed to be right, and when design changes came up, I needed to be able to make them in SketchUp.
I was in way over my head."
Tom’s situation is both extremely common and completely avoidable.
I’m Alex, the founder and lead instructor at SketchUp School. We have been teaching SketchUp in person and online for over a decade and I've personally taught SketchUp in the classroom to thousands of professionals.
Over the last 10+ years, we've developed and refined a large collection of classes specifically for professionals.
In our advanced classes, we meet students all the time that have taught themselves SketchUp. Those students inevitably struggle in our classes because they're trying to build professional skills on a weak foundation.
This is one of the the most costly mistakes people make when learning SketchUp.
To avoid what happened to Tom, you need to take the right approach:
Get the right information
check_circleLearn it in the correct order
check_circlePractice with activities at the right level of difficulty
check_circleGet regular feedback for where to improve
check_circleHave access to an expert for guidance and support
So what ever happened to Tom?
After getting in over his head on his first real world project, Tom realized he needed to get serious about learning SketchUp. That’s when he found SketchUp School, and saw we had a video course in our library that sounded perfect.
As soon as he signed up, one of our instructors reached out to him, and they had a conversation about what he needed to learn and how much experience he had with SketchUp.
Tom had planned to jump straight into one of the more advanced courses, but the instructor recommended that he start by reviewing the lessons in our intro course, The Complete Intro to SketchUp.
"This is such an amazing course - I've finally learned the right way to build a SketchUp model that's organized and flexible to edit. Already, I've saved tons of time and headaches! I look forward to even more ways to expand my SketchUp arsenal. You have a good thing going for sure."
Instead of wasting time drowning in an advanced course, Tom filled in all the holes in his understanding of SketchUp. And, as soon as Tom got through the fundamentals, he jumped into the course that had originally caught his eye.
Now, Tom does all his projects in SketchUp (and life is good).
We helped Tom get the skills he needed
(and we can do the same for you)
We know why you’re here...
You’re here because you need to learn SketchUp. You’ve probably even imagined what it would be like to use SketchUp to do what you need to do and you know the impact will be huge!
So, which sounds like a better approach for reaching your goal?
Option A: Waste a ton of time, experience stress, anxiety and frustration along the way, and ultimately risk falling short.
Option B: Learn exactly what you need to learn with the guidance and support of experts.
Introducing
With a membership, you can be sure you take the right approach to learning SketchUp:
When you start your membership, an instructor provides you guidance, so you're sure to learn the right things, in the right order.
check_circleAlong the way, you're given challenges at the right level of difficulty, ensuring you convert knowledge to skill.
check_circleAnd, if you need it, our instructors are here to help.
It's time to decide if our Video Course Library is right for you
Before I get into more details about what you get once you sign up, let me tell you who this is NOT for:
If you’re a hobbyist, a membership to our Video Course Library is overkill as we dive deeper into topics than you need to go.
If, on the other hand, you need to use SketchUp professionally in any of the following fields:
Architecture
check_circleInterior Design
check_circleConstruction
check_circleFilm & Stage
check_circleLandscape Architecture
check_circleKitchen & Bath Design
OR if any of the following topics sound like something you need to learn:
Complete Intro to SketchUp
check_circleRendering SketchUp Models in Photoshop
check_circlePhotorealistic Rendering on a Deadline
check_circleDetailed Construction Documents with LayOut
check_circleSketchUp Recipes for Interior Designers
check_circleComplex & Organic modeling
check_circleCreating Models from CAD Plans & Elevations
check_circleAdvanced Architectural topics in SketchUp
THEN our Video Course Library is PERFECT for you.
(And you should keep scrolling to check out each of our video courses.)
The Complete Intro to SketchUp
Draw & Edit
Get started by learning the right way to use the fundamental drawing, editing and navigation tools.
14 lessons 1+ hours
Organized Modeling
Learn to create well organized 3D models, plus learn techniques to avoid common pitfalls for new users.
13 lessons 1+ hours
Get the Right Look
Learn the best ways to style your model to get everything looking just the way you imagined.
27 lessons 1+ hours
Draw & Edit Practice
You know the fundamental tools in SketchUp. Learn to apply your skills to everyday modeling problems.
7 lessons .5 hoursDraw & Edit Advanced
Discover the lesser known features of SketchUp that make it possible to create just about anything you want.
7 lessons 1 hours"NOW I KNOW THE RIGHT WAY TO USE SKETCHUP!"
"Everything I’ve been working on is much faster this time around knowing how to properly use the tools. I look forward to watching more courses!"
Lauren A.
SketchUp Recipes for Interior Design
Models from Floor Plans
Learn how to start your SketchUp models from measurements, floor plan PDFs and AutoCAD files.
15 lessons 2 hours
Custom Doors & Windows
Find out how to build custom door and window components quickly and efficiently.
6 lessons 1 hour
Base & Crown Molding
Use Follow Me and Profile Builder to add base molding and crown molding to a room.
4 lessons 1 hour
Real-world Materials
Bring your space to life with real-world paint colors, realistic finishes and custom materials.
10 lessons 1+ hours
3D Warehouse Furnishings
Find amazing furnishings on the 3D Warehouse, plus learn how to edit anything you find.
10 lessons 2 hours
Presentation Images
Create awesome sketches, renderings & construction docs from your finished SketchUp model.
10 lessons 1+ hours"READY TO USE AT WORK THE NEXT DAY!"
"This course was great! The next day at work I was asked to do a project in SketchUp and I felt like I knew exactly what I needed to do. I’m much better equipped to approach a project and start working on it."
Kelly H.
Rendering SketchUp Models in Photoshop
SketchUp to Photoshop
An overview of the entire workflow.
14 lessons 1+ hours
Photoshop Concepts
A brief introduction to concepts we’ll be using to render our SketchUp models.
6 lessons 1 hours
Creating SketchUp Scenes
Learn to create Scenes in SketchUp that will become Layers in Photoshop.
13 lessons 1 hours
Rendering in Photoshop
Walk step-by-step through a complete rendering with plenty of rendering Recipes for common elements.
12 lessons 2+ hours"You guys explain stuff so well."
"I can’t begin to tell you how much I love your courses. I've told quite a few interior designers and the initial response is always, 'I can just watch videos on youtube.' I always tell them that I spent 50+ hours watching youtube videos before taking your courses and after 4 hours with you guys I learned 10 times as much."
Scott W.
Photorealistic Rendering on a Deadline with V-Ray
Intro to Rendering
Combine SketchUp, V-Ray & Photoshop to render stunning images in a fraction of the time.
9 lessons .5 hours
The 6-Step Checklist
Learn to think like a photographer to make rendering with V-Ray easy.
14 lessons 1+ hours
Lighting Fundamentals
Find out how to set-up sunlight and artificial lights, and how to balance them with your camera's exposure.
8 lessons 1 hour
Materials Fundamentals
Learn how to quickly set-up common material types, and how to edit basic properties to get the right look.
6 lessons .5 hours
Case Study: Exterior Day
Find out the recipe for setting-up a daytime, exterior rendering set within a realistic landscape.
14 lessons 1+ hours
Case Study: Exterior Night
Find out the recipe for setting-up a nighttime, exterior rendering.
5 lessons <.5 hours
Case Study: Interior Day
Find out the recipe for setting-up a daytime, interior rendering.
15 lessons 1+ hours
Case Study: Interior Night
Learn how to convert your rendering from day to night, and how to relight with artificial lights.
5 lessons <.5 hours"well worth the money."
"Your processes are clear and systematic and it is already saving me so much time!!"
Lindsey W.
Complete Intro to Lumion
Getting Started with Lumion
Learn what Lumion is, where to get it, and how to get set-up for the rest of the Lumion course.
3 lessons <.5 hours
Learn the Fundamentals of Lumion
Learn your way around Lumion as well as strategies for starting new projects on the right foot.
8 lessons 1.5 hours
Compose Your Shot
Setup the framing for your rendering up-front so that you understand what to focus on and what to ignore.
3 lessons .5 hours
Build Your Landscape
Take advantage of Lumion’s landscape sculpting and texturing tools to create the background environment for your rendering.
6 lessons 2 hours
Add Realistic Objects
Dive into using Lumion’s comprehensive object library, including trees, plants, people, cars, and more.
10 lessons 1.5 hours
Light Your Scene
Learn the simple yet effective techniques for lighting both interiors and exteriors for day or night.
16 lessons 3 hours
Create Realistic Materials
Discover how to make your SketchUp materials look realistic - plus learn how to take advantage of Lumion’s existing, render-ready library of materials.
32 lessons 3.5 hours
Render Photorealistic Images
Put it all together to create realistic renderings of interior and exterior scenes for both day and night.
17 lessons 2.5 hours
Produce Photorealistic Animations
Learn how to create flythroughs, animate people and cars, add special effects and more!
11 lessons 2 hours"Self-taught skills are so hard to unlearn!!!"
"I think your courses are wonderful. They get right to the important stuff and more importantly, how to use it correctly."
Michael H.
Photorealistic Rendering on a Deadline with Podium
Intro to Rendering
Combine SketchUp, Podium & Photoshop to render stunning images in a fraction of the time.
32 lessons 2 hours
Lighting & Materials
Learn how to light your model and add realistic reflections and finishes in Podium.
17 lessons 2 hours
Render an Interior
Render a simple interior, plus learn tips and tricks to turn a partial model into a beautiful rendering.
8 lessons 1 hour"Nothing but positive feedback!"
"I really enjoyed the course and don't have anything but positive feedback. It was well taught in terms of the pace, clarity, individual attention, and length. I like the way you tell what is going to be taught, show it, then summarize as review. I actually have a Masters Degree in Education so, from what I have learned, I would say your approach is right on!"
Jacqueline C.
Photorealistic Rendering on a Deadline with Shaderlight
Intro to Rendering
Combine SketchUp, Shaderlight & Photoshop to render stunning images in a fraction of the time.
27 lessons 2 hours
Lighting & Materials
Learn how to light your model and add realistic reflections and finishes in Shaderlight.
15 lessons 2 hours
Render an Interior
Render a simple interior, plus learn tips and tricks to turn a partial model into a beautiful rendering.
8 lessons 1 hour"Best videos I have ever seen!"
"Your videos are the best I have ever seen. I am telling everyone I know that if you want to become a Sketchup wizard, you need to learn from the best!!!!"
John S.
From SketchUp Model to Design Presentations & Construction Documents with LayOut
Plans & Elevations
Learn the right way to use the fundamental tools for quick and powerful presentations.
5 lessons 1 hour
Master the Workflow
Learn the workflow for creating your construction drawings, and the best methods for keeping them accurate.
17 lessons 2 hours
Custom Templates
Streamline LayOut by using custom Titleblocks, Document Settings, and more.
5 lessons 1 hour
Detailed Documents
Discover tips and tricks in LayOut that make it possible to create and manage complex drawing sets.
22 lessons 4 hours"Perfectly Paced!"
"I really get a lot from your courses. The way you deliver the information is at a cadence where you feel like you're being taken along the journey of learning and being exposed to the true capabilities of the program and the plugins."
Ron Y.
Complex & Organic Modeling in SketchUp
Fundamental Concepts
Start by learning the core SketchUp functions to employ in more complicated modeling situations.
11 lessons 1 hour
Artisan Organic Toolset
Learn the fundamental subdivision and sculpting tools, plus strategies for working efficiently with Artisan.
34 lessons 3+ hours
Soap Skin Bubble
Learn how to create tensile surfaces by skinning edges with the Soap Skin Bubble extension.
4 lessons < .5 hours
Curviloft
Generate complex and organic surfaces from contours with the Curviloft extension.
20 lessons 1+ hours
Shape Bender
Learn strategies for using Shape Bender to wrap complex shapes along custom paths.
4 lessons < .25 hours
Flowify
Learn how to map 3D objects to organic faces to quickly model intricate, organic shapes.
6 lessons .5 hours"All of the videos are clear and succinct!"
"I really like the course so far. I think you’ve done a remarkable job on making the videos clear and succinct - not too fast, not to slow. Good job!"
Glenn W.
Bottom Line: You'll have the skills to do what you need to do.
In addition to getting the video courses, we also have an awesome bonus that will save you time and money:
Ever heard of SketchUp extensions?
Extensions give SketchUp users superpowers.
In many of our more advanced classes, we cover extensions you’ll want to consider buying. And, for almost every extension we cover in our classes, we can save you money.
We can save you money on extensions like:
Rendering: V-Ray, Thea, Maxwell, Podium, Shaderlight
check_circleComplex & Organic Modeling: Artisan Organic Toolset, SubD, Profile Builder
check_circleConstruction Documentation: Skalp, Con Doc Tools
Sign up for a Membership
Here's a quick recap of what you get when you invest in a membership:
check_circle
Guidance from instructors upfront
As soon as you sign up, an instructor will reach out, and you two can discuss what you need to learn.
Video courses on everything you need to know
We've taken the curriculums from $8700 worth of our in-person classes and broke them down into bite sized lessons. Each lesson is covered in an easy to follow video tutorial.
Access to an instructor when you need it
If you get stuck or have a question, we're here to help.
Big discounts on SketchUp extensions
We can save you money on the extensions that we teach.
Save 10% off the price of SketchUp Pro
If you need to buy SketchUp Pro, might as well save some money!
We'll make this super easy:
You give us a try for a week for free.
After a week, if you think we can help,
stick around for $159 per month
(that's just $5.30 per day)
AND
If you decide to stick around for a while, you can save yourself some money with
our semi-annual plan (you save $365) or our annual plan (you save $1,309).
Start my free trial
Have a question? Chat with us.