SketchUp is a 3d modeling program that I use to design the vast majority of my projects. Being able to work out dimensions and update design options before entering the shop is a great way to increase efficiency and reduce material waste. While it does benefit this website greater by having each video on a unique page I’ve personally found it annoying to have to go back and forth looking for a specific video. If I’ve been annoyed by it I’m sure plenty of people out there have as well. The objective of this page is to have all of my SketchUp instructional videos and project design videos in one location that I can continue to update as I create new videos.
Download SketchUp
I’ve been using the old FREE version of SketchUp 8 for a long time. It does everything I need it to do so I don’t see a need to upgrade to the newer versions. As far as I know it is allowed to be used for commercial use as well. These top two links will download the SketchUp 8 windows version I use and the bottom link is for the Mac version. I do not have a Mac computer so I have not tested the Mac install file to verify that it works but several people have reported back to me that this install file does indeed work.
- Click here for a direct download of the US version
- Click here for a direct download of the EN_LONDON version
- Click here for a direct download of the Mac version
Wood Textures for SketchUp
SketchUp comes with a few wood textures but they aren’t that great to be honest. Here’s a better package to add.
SketchUp Shortcuts
For a complete list of SketchUp 8 shortcuts click here for windows and click here for mac. Below are some of the shortcuts I most commonly use:
- Ctrl = adds a copy command to the move and rotate commands
- Q = rotate
- R = rectangle
- T = tape measure
- D = dimension (this is a custom keyboard shortcut I set and is not included by default)
- M = move
- Space Bar = selection command
- Triple Click = when triple clicking a piece of model space geometry it selects everything in model space that is connected to that item
- Double Click On Component = enters component edit mode
- G = Turns selected model space geometry into a component
- CUSTOM SHORTCUTS:
- H = Hide
- U = Unhide all
- D = Dimension
SketchUp Videos
This is a complete list of every SketchUp video I have made I will continue to update this list as I publish new videos. To watch the video just click on each one. The list is sorted newest to oldest so the newest published content will always be on top. Click each link to watch the video or right click and open in a new tab to watch on the YouTube watch page.
- Sofa Table Bench
- Sofa Table With Hidden Storage
- Mission Style Coat Rack
- 2d Drafting And Printing
- Mortise And Tenon Sofa Table
- Making A Cutting Layout For Plywood Parts
- The Follow Me Tool For Mouldings – Window Cornice
- Pocket Hole Corner Cabinet
- An Exercise In Visualization: Table Saw Accessory Shelf
- Making Cabinets
- Half Lap Bar Stools
- Lumber Rack
- 4″ PVC Blast Gates
- Dust Collection Pipe Hanger Brackets
- Bar Stool
- Drill Press Table
- Trash Can
- Mortise And Tenon Joints
- Soften/Smooth Rounded Edges
- Switching Units, Imperial or Metric
- 2D Orthographic Drawings
- Text or Leader Tool
- Tape Measure Tool
- Sliding Dovetail Joints
- Scale Tool
- Rotate Tool
- Rabbet Joints
- Push Pull Tool
- Protractor Tool
- Offset Tool
- Object Snaps
- Never Draw What You Can Copy
- Move Tool
- Miter Joints
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Half Lap Joints
- Make Your First Component
- Drawing Toolset
- Dovetail Joints
- Dimension Tool
- Make A Dado Joint
- Add 3D Text
- Box Joints
- Familiarize Yourself With SketchUp
- SketchUp Scenes
- Navigate SketchUp
- Model Info
- Using Layers
- Insert Images
- Follow Me Tool
- Entity Info
- Components vs Groups
- Paint Bucket Tool
- Eraser Tool
- Make Component Tool
- Selection Tool
- #Woodchat Telephone Game Design Experiment
- Toilet Cabinet
- Half Lap 2×4 Dining Chair
- Curtain Rod Shelf
- Sofa Table
- Pocekt Hole Bookcase
- Bread Box With Plan
- 2×4 Porch Swing
- Mini Bench Condiment Holder