About me – Why I love Sketchup
Hey everybody, Matt here. I hope you’re as excited about Sketchup as I am! I’m that guy who goes around at work telling everbody how cool it is and how easy it is to learn. Most of the time I just get a nod and a “oh…that’s nice.” That’s why I created MasterSketchup.com! I wanted to find all those people who love building models in Sketchup as much as I do, and share everything I know about the program. MasterSketchup.com is a place for the Sketchup community; to learn, to create, and to think. I offer high quality tutorials, reviews, resources, tips and tricks, videos and downloads for free. You will find plenty of information whether you are new to Sketchup, or if you can orbit around in Sketchup like nobody’s business!
I have been using Sketchup personally since 2007. Working in the construction industry I was naturally inspired by the ablility to create things in 3D space. My first experience with 3D modeling was actually with a game called Duke Nukem 3D! (The original versions of that game were a 2D side scrolling game, so they actually called it Duke Nukem 3D in order to differentiate.) I can remember stumbling upon a program simple called “Build.exe” hidden in the game folders. It turned out to be a map editor that allowed me to actually build my own levels for the game!!! How cool is that, right? I can tell you, it was nothing like Sketchup, though.
When I first started using Sketchup, I didn’t really follow any instruction, just dove right in and started using it. I began to draw jobs I was working on. (At the time I was running my own residential remodeling company.) So if I were doing a bathroom remodel, I’d draw it in Sketchup and export pictures to show clients. I loved using Sketchup for drawing kitchens.
Currently, I am a project engineer for a laboratory/education casework company. Basically we install cabinetry for schools and hospitals and laboratories. And luckily I was able to convince my boss to purchase Sketchup PRO. Although, I still can’t get him to understand it’s called Sketchup, not “Sketch-it.” So I now use Sketchup on a daily basis and I’m always learning new things and pushing the limits of what Sketchup has to offer.
Besides that, I’m really not a professional designer or architect or anything like that. I’m just someone who downloaded Sketchup and started using it. So thanks for checking out this website, I truly appreciate any comments you leave on this site, or on my Facebook page. Or if you’d like, you can contact me directly at matt@mastersketchup.com
I created MasterSketchup.com to help everyday people, who’ve had no professional training in design, to learn how to use Sketchup to its fullest potential. Sketchup is the first tool to ever make 3d modeling easy, and I want to help make it easier for anybody to learn how to use it.
After 12 years of log/hybrid home design with ArchiCad (AC) I got laid off with the major down turn in the housing industry. I still design a little on the side and help a friend with his cabinet business. I knew Sketchup (SU) existed but never really dug into that much. Not that I am trying to get my friend up and running on a software, I came across CabinetCruncher parts in SU. After getting back into SU, I can not stop till I know it in and out like AC. It seems like the possibilities are endless similar to AC. I came across your website today and thanks for the tutorials. I plan on digging into SU more and more everyday. Knowing that Google is backing it gives me confidences that SU will be around for awhile.
HI Jeremy, good to hear from an Archicad user that now uses Sketchup. Do you use Sketchup models withf Archicad? I basically have been using Skethcup since version 5, my clients and tradies love it as it shows what you will get before we build it. I now employ drafts people to draw up my plans and I have had a lot of Archicad users apply for the job but as far as I knew Sketchup and and Archicad don’t like each other. Apparently the models come in way tooo big? Can you contact me aadbuild@gmail.com? As I may have some work for you converting components to be able to be used in Archicad… If you are interested of course. Thanks Kind regards Andrew http://www.aadbuild.com/
i am a sketchup enthusiast as well. i own a small cabinet business and have been using
sketchup to help clients visualize their projects. to take it one step further try Twilight Render plugin. very easy to use right in sketchup has lights and materials and creates beautiful renders without taking too much time to learn. jim g
Thanks Jeremy! I felt the same way when I first found Sketchup. It totally consumes you with all the endless possibilities. I found I did the same thing and scoured the internet to try to find as much info as I could. I’ve been using Sketchup for years now and I’m still learning new things everyday. I’m glad you like the tutorials I’ve created. More to come! Thanks for the comment!
Hey Matt,
I learn something new every time I visit Master Sketchup.com.
I’m curious and optimistic about the recent Google/Trimble changes you highlight with hopes it brings positive development to the SketchUp platform. Thanks for the heads up on this one… it would have been awhile before I learned of it otherwise.
Hi .. my name Exchel, I am 15 years old and my hobby is playing sketchup. What I’m doing now is making a project to make the city, I had twice made ??the city, but when I enter the properties of components, causing me to slow google sketchup once. Matt if you could help me, ok thx
Hi Exchel, Thanks for visiting my site. The best way to contact me is either on Facebook or email. Send me a message and I can try to help you out. Matt@MasterSketchup.com
what is your facebook name??
http://www.facebook.com/MasterSketchup
Hi Matt,
Thank you for this great site. Keep up the good work.
Kind regards.
Architect. Istanbul.
Thank you!
I just finished watching your 2 youtube videos. They were exactly what I needed to give sketchup another try. I like to do little woodworking projects in my free time. The place I work throws a lot of wood away that is used as packing material for things they purchase to use in manufacturing. Things like motors come shrink wrapped onto plywood panels and stuff like that. So I take some of that scrap material home and make useful things out of it. Like bird houses, bird feeders, etc.. Anyway, I want something to help me make some drawing of ideas I have and sketchup seems like it would do the trick nicely. There is one question I have though. After I’ve created my drawing like your birdhouse in your second tutorial, how do I print measured 2d drawings of the objects on paper to take out to the wood shop and start cutting? I’d really love to see a tutorial on doing that!
The best way to turn your Sketchup model into a drawing is to use Sketchup Pro, which comes with a program called Layout. It’s specifically designed to create detailed drawings of your Sketchup model to scale. If you don’t have Layout, there are ways to add dimensions and print your model to scale. That does sound like a good idea for a tutorial!
Hi, i am from Russia and you doing a great job – keep going .)
Wow, I can’t believe someone from the other side of the world is checking out my site! Thanks so much for the encouragement! It’s very motivating.
good…keep it up…
Is there an episode or a good tutorial about dimensioning in layout..?
best of every thing
Hi Matt,
I’m glad I found your tutorials. They are very informative and easy to follow.
I have been a kitchen designer for a number of years and am currently transitioning my web business to creating 3-D renderings exclusively. I use Chief Architect software but have been importing models for many of the details in my spaces from Sketchup’s 3-D Warehouse for years. Now that the major focus of my business is modeling, I want to be able to create my own custom 3-D models instead of always adapting somebody elses.
In the past I’ve always been afraid to learn yet another software as I have already spent years learning Chief, 20-20 Design, AutoCad and others in the past and found Sketchup to be intimidating. Your tutorials are very easy to follow and have taken the fear away. Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.
Pam, thank you so much for your kind words. To know that I’ve taken the fear away from learning Sketchup is very encouraging. That’s exactly what my goal is. I want to show people how easy it is to use Sketchup. It’s such a powerful tool!
I’ve seen Chief Architect at the JLC convention, but I’ve never used it. It looks like a very good program for modeling houses. I think it’s similar to Envisioneer from CADsoft. I should check it out.
Under window and door casings you refer to free CAD programs.
Check out Draftsight by Dassault Systemes. It’s very similar to Autocad Light
and totally free.
Nice to see a web site for a carpenter, keep it up.
My boss at work just showed me that program. He loves it! Thanks.
Hello, Matt.
Thank you very much for dedicating your time to show the great tool that SU is. I have drawing in AutoCAD since I was a kid but I enjoy the most with SU, it is much more fun.
I am writing you from Spain and since I have discovered your website I have decided to create a blog to help companies to develope their projects in SU and show to the world. In the Spanish community is difficult to find people that use SU so I decided to create my own tutorials for the Spanish speakers.
You inspired me! Thank you.
Javier, I saw you on LinkedIn and got your comment on my podcast, Thank you. I think it’s awesome that you are starting your own Spanish Sketchup site. I wish you all the best. It takes a lot of time and dedication, but it’s really fun and rewarding knowing that you’re helping people.
-Matt
Today I’ve discovered this page.
I work with AutoCad & SU for past few years and still learning about the tools within.
Many good things and tips I saw here!
Hope to read from you in the future and maybe ask for something that I can’t figure out in SU.
Wishing U all the best in 2013
Zoran from Serbia
Hello Zoran,
I’m glad you find my website helpful. Feel free to hit me up on Facebook if you get stuck with something.
I received my copy of Alexander Schreyer’s book last week
and think it’s one of the best Sketchup’s books out there.
Hi Matt,
Love the tutorials you have made. Picked up some new tips and tricks to make my life easier in SU8. I have done some room re-designs, and in Layout, I usually include some SU rendered “foto’s.” Hence the question….the current model bogs down my renderer (IDX Renditioner Pro V2). I have tried to make the file as small as possible, cleaned all the edges and faces, and it still hangs.
Is there a renderer that you have used that works well with large SU files? Perhaps a stand-alone renderer as opposed to SU plugins? Would love to hear your take on this…
Hi Matt
Great job you are doing. Your tutorials are very easy to follow and the sound quality (which I find important) are very good.
So please keep up the good work.
Cheers from New Zealand
Klaus
Thank you!