Google SketchUp Quick Start Guide
Download Google Sketchup 6 (Free)
What is it?
Think in three dimensions…think free…think the next new amazing application from Google! Say goodbye to flat screen thinking and create, modify, and share 3D models like castles, geometry problems, dream houses, volcanoes, bridges—anything in 3D. Save your project, export it, make a movie with it, or print it. Wow!
Software Options
SketchUp comes in two flavors and runs on Windows (2000, XP, or Vista) or Mac OS X. No Linux version, yet…but Google knows everyone is asking.
Ø Google SketchUp 6 (free)
Ø Google SketchUp Pro 6
o $495/year; educators one free copy
o Enhanced features include additional program, LayOut, which allows the user to create online & print presentations with SketchUp models.
o Student version of Pro, $49/year
o Networked labs, $15/seat/year or $30/seat/3 years
Related Software
Ø Google 3D Warehouse—free online warehouse where you can find and share
SketchUp models (think Google Images, but for 3D models).
Ø Google Earth—also a free download. You can place your SketchUp models in Google Earth—create a planned community, revitalize a downtown, build your dream house on the Oregon coast.
New Vocabulary (its all about thinking in 3D…)
Ø 10th Grade Geometry
Edge- the line where two surfaces or faces meet
Face- a side or a plane surface of a 3D object (a cube has 6 faces)
Ø 3D SketchUp tools
Orbit— lets you look all around your model in 3D, above, below, to the
side, etc.
Zoom—allows you to get closer to your model or view from further away
Pan—moves the view up and down or side to side without orbiting
Push/Pull tool— expands and shrinks objects (think changing something
from 2D to 3D)
Follow Me tool— duplicates a detail along a path (think adding crown
moulding along the top of a room you created)
Resources
Ø Explain SketchUp with this short video: Create Cool Stuff with Google SketchUp.
Ø Getting Started video: Google SketchUp New Users 1: Concepts
Ø Getting Help: Use the Help Center with lots of options. What kind of learner are you? If you’re a…
‘read the manual’ learner, download user guide (.pdf)
‘self-paced’ learner, download interactive tutorials.
‘watch the video’ learner,’ click here.
‘I don’t read instructions”’ learner, click Fix a Problem.
‘cheat sheet’ learner Download the Quick Reference Card .pdf.
‘ask questions’ learner, go to the Google SketchUp Help Group or the
SketchUp blog.
Ø Google Groups Google SketchUp Help.
Why SketchUp?
Ø It’s all about 21st century learning—engaging, active, social, project-oriented
Ø Three dimensional thinking is the ultimate in interdisciplinary learning—the arts, science, history
Ø A great problem-solving tool for thinking ‘outside the box’
Ø Life isn’t flat!
Classroom Ideas
Ø SketchUp in Education—a Google Discussion Group
Ø ‘Have You Seen SketchUp?’ – Edutopia article with classroom ideas
Ø F1forKids.com Google SketchUp Teachers Guide
Ø Classroom20.com (type ‘SketchUp’ in the search box)
Review
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The good
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3D can be challenging, but SketchUp is intuitive & powerful
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The bad
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Until you wrap your brain around 3D thinking, there can be some frustration
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The Bottom Line
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Say goodbye to flat screen thinking forever
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Jody Emerson, Linda McSweeney, Tom McSweeney
Spaulding High School & Barre Tech Center
August 6, 2008
Example: of a house model
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