SketchUp:

Advanced techniques -
modelling
SketchUp TIMZC

How to use this user guide

This handbook accompanies the taught sessions for the course. Each section
contains a brief overview of a topic for your reference and then one or more
exercises.
Exercises are arranged as follows:
• A title and brief overview of the tasks to be carried out;
• A numbered set of tasks, together with a brief description of each;
• A numbered set of detailed steps that will achieve each task.
Some exercises, particularly those within the same section, assume that you have
completed earlier exercises. Your teacher will direct you to the location of files that
are needed for the exercises. If you have any problems with the text or the exercises,
please ask the teacher or one of the demonstrators for help.
This book includes plenty of exercise activities – more than can usually be completed
during the hands-on sessions of the course. You should select some to try during the
course, while the teacher and demonstrator(s) are around to guide you. Later, you
may attend follow-up sessions at ITLP called Computer8, where you can continue
work on the exercises, with some support from IT teachers. Other exercises are for
you to try on your own, as a reminder or an extension of the work done during the
course.

Text conventions
A number of conventions are used to help you to be clear about what you need to do
in each step of a task.
• I n general, the word press indicates you need to press a key on the keyboard.
Click, choose or select refer to using the mouse and clicking on items on the
screen. If you have more than one mouse button, click usually refers to the left
button unless stated otherwise.
• N
ames of keys on the keyboard, for example the Enter (or Return) key are
shown like this ENTER.
ultiple key names linked by a + (for example, CTRL+Z) indicate that the
• M
first key should be held down while the remaining keys are pressed; all keys
can then be released together.
• Words and commands typed in by the user are shown like this.
• Labels and titles on the screen are shown like this.
• D
rop-down menu options are indicated by the name of the options separated
by an angle bracket, for example File>Print. In this example you need to
select the option Print from the File menu. To do this, click with the mouse
button on the File menu name; move the cursor to Print; when Print is
highlighted, click the mouse button again.
• A button to be clicked will look like this
he names of software packages are identified like this, and the names of files
• T
to be used like this.

IT Learning Programme
SketchUp TIMZC

Software used
SketchUp 2013 (SketchUp Make)
Windows XP or Mac OSX

Files used
Course files folder containing project files

Revision information
Version Date Author Changes made
1.0 May 2013 Carl Wenczek Course notes first
written
1.1 June 2013 Carl Wenczek Correction of typos

Acknowledgements
All photographs are used with the permission of Carl Wenczek and Born Digital Ltd.

Copyright

Carl Wenczek makes this document and the accompanying PowerPoint presentation
available under a Creative Commons licence: Attribution, Non Commercial, No
Derivatives. Individual resources are subject to their own licencing conditions as
listed.
Screenshots in this document are copyright of Trimble Navigation Limited.
The Oxford University logo and crest is copyright of Oxford University and may only
be used by Oxford University members in accordance with the University’s branding
guidelines.

IT Learning Programme
Contents
Contents 4

Quick reference card 5

Using Google Sketch up for the first time 6

Creating a 3D model – Bench 7

Creating a 3D model – Table 10

Creating a 3D model – Floorboards (Array) 13

Creating a 3D model – Wall 15

Creating a 3D model – Window Frame (Offset) 19

Creating a 3D model – Sphere and Vase (Lathing) 22

Creating a 3D model – Roof (Protractor) 25

Creating a 3D model – Finishing touches 29

* Section Planes 30

Appendices 32

* Supplementary or optional exercises

 SketchUp 8 Quick Reference Card Windows
Tool Operation Instructions
Large Tool Set Dynamic Components
Arc (A) Bulge specify bulge amount by typing a number and Enter
SketchUp

Select (Spacebar) Make Component Interact Component Options Radius specify radius by typing a number, the R key, and Enter
Segments specify number of segments by typing a number, the S key, and Enter
Component Circle (C) Shift lock in current plane
Paint Bucket (B) Eraser (E)
Attributes
Radius specify radius by typing a number and Enter
Rectangle (R) Line (L) Sandbox (Terrain) Segments specify number of segments by typing a number, the S key, and Enter
Eraser (E) Ctrl soften/smooth (use on edges to make adjacent faces appear curved)
From Contours From Scratch
Circle (C) Arc (A) Shift hide
Ctrl+Shift unsoften/unsmooth
Smoove Stamp
Polygon Freehand Follow Me Alt use face perimeter as extrusion path
Better Way first Select path, then choose the Follow Me tool, then click on the face to extrude
Drape Add Detail
Move (M) Push/Pull (P) Line (L) Shift lock in current inference direction
Arrows up or down arrow to lock in blue direction; right to lock in red; left to lock in green
Flip Edge
Rotate (Q) Follow Me Length specify length by typing a number and Enter
Standard Views Look Around Eye Height specify eye height by typing a number and Enter
Scale (S) Offset (F) Move (M) Ctrl move a copy
Quick reference card

Iso Top Shift hold down to lock in current inference direction

Tape Measure (T) Dimensions Alt auto-fold (allow move even if it means adding extra edges and faces)
Front Right Arrows up or down arrow to lock in blue direction; right to lock in red; left to lock in green
Protractor Text Distance specify move distance by typing a number and Enter
Back Left External Array n copies in a row: move first copy, type a number, the X key, and Enter
Axes 3D Text Internal Array n copies in between: move first copy, type a number, the / key, and Enter
Style
Offset (F) Double-Click apply last offset amount to this face

5
Orbit (O) Pan (H) X-Ray Back Edges Distance specify an offset distance by typing a number and Enter
Orbit (O) Ctrl hold down to disable “gravity-weighted” orbiting
Zoom (Z) Zoom Extents Wireframe Hidden Line Shift hold down to activate Pan tool
Paint Bucket (B) Ctrl paint all matching adjacent faces
Previous Next Shaded Shift paint all matching faces in the model
Shaded
with Textures
Ctrl+Shift paint all matching faces on the same object
Position Camera Look Around Monochrome Alt hold down to sample material
Push/Pull (P) Ctrl push/pull a copy of the face (leaving the original face in place)
Walk Section Plane Google Double-Click apply last push/pull amount to this face
Distance specify a push/pull amount by typing a number and Enter
Add New Building… Add Location
Solid Tools Rectangle (R) Dimensions specify dimensions by typing length, width and Enter ie. 20,40
Rotate (Q) Ctrl rotate a copy
Outer Shell Split (Pro) Show Terrain Photo Textures
Angle specify an angle by typing a number and Enter
Preview Model in Slope specify an angle as a slope by typing a rise, a colon (:), a run, and Enter ie. 3:12
Intersect (Pro) Union (Pro) Share Component…
Google Earth Scale (S) Ctrl hold down to scale about center
Shift hold down to scale uniformly (don’t distort)
Subtract (Pro) Trim (Pro) Get Models… Share Model…
Amount specify a scale factor by typing a number and Enter ie. 1.5 = 150%
Length specify a scale length by typing a number, a unit type, and Enter ie. 10m
Display additional toolbars by choosing View > Toolbars from the menu bar.
Select (Spacebar) Ctrl add to selection
Shift add/subtract from selection
R Middle Button (Wheel) Scroll Zoom Ctrl+Shift subtract from selection
L Click-Drag Orbit Tape Measure (T) Ctrl create a new Guide
R Shift+Click-Drag Pan Arrows up or down arrow to lock in blue direction; right to lock in red; left to lock in green
L Double-Click re-center view Resize resize model: measure a distance, type intended size, and Enter
Right Mouse Button Click show context menu Zoom (Z) Shift hold down and click-drag mouse to change Field of View
© 2010 Google Inc.

IT Learning Programme
TIMZC
SketchUp TIMZC

Using Google Sketch up for the first time

Task Steps

Set up SketchUp Launch SketchUp

From the Welcome to SketchUp window:

Choose the following Template: Architectural Design –

Millimeters

Then start using SketchUp by clicking on the Start using

SketchUp button
Task Steps

Set up the Toolbars Choose View>Toolbars...

Select Large Tool Set, Styles and Views

Deselect any other toolbars

Close the dialogue

Task Steps

Set up the initial view From the Views toolbar choose the Top view

From the Camera menu choose Parallel Projection

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Bench

Task Steps

Create the 3 basic Use the Top view and Parallel Projection
shapes
Use the Rectangle tool

Begin by creating the 3 bench parts as 2d shapes with the following

dimensions:

Bench seat = 2000 x 200 mm

Bench support = 1600 x 200 mm

Bench leg = 450 x 200 mm

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Extrude the 3 parts Use the Push/Pull tool

Extrude the 3 parts by 50 mm

Task Steps

Convert the 3 parts Select the bench seat using the Select tool
into Components

Then select the Make Component tool

This will launch the Create Component dialogue box. Name the
component Bench Seat 01

Repeat this process for the other two parts, naming them Bench
Support 01 and Bench Leg 01
Task Steps

Begin to assemble the Use the Move and Rotate tools

completed bench

First rotate the bench support and bench leg to the correct
orientation

Then move the bench support and bench leg into position under
the bench seat
Task Steps

Duplicate the bench Select the bench leg with the Select tool
leg
Select the Move tool

Press the Ctrl key. A plus sign should appear next to the Move
tool cursor

When you move the bench leg the duplicate will move leaving the
original behind

Move the duplicate into position

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Create a group Choose Window>Outliner

This will launch the Outliner dialogue

You will see your four components listed

Click on a component name in the Outliner dialogue to select it

Hold down Shift and click on the other three component names to
select them as well. You should have all four components selected

Choose Edit>Make Group

Your Outliner dialogue should now show the four components

nested under a group called Group
Task Steps

Rename the group Right-click the name Group in the Outliner dialogue

Choose Rename from the bottom of the pop-up list

Rename your group Bench 01

You will now be able to select and move the bench as a single entity
Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save As...

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Table

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 01.skp
Task Steps

Create the basic Use the Top view and Parallel Projection
shape for the table
top Use the Rectangle tool

Begin by creating the table top as 2d shape with the following

dimensions:

Table top = 2000 x 800 mm

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Create measuring Use the Tape Measure Tool

points

Position the Tape Measure Tool over one of the corners of your
table top. Look for the endpoint inference to help you

Click and begin moving the Tape Measure Tool along the side of
the table top

Type 100 to position a measuring point 100 mm along the edge of

the table top

Continue until you have created 8 measuring points, each placed

100 mm from the four corners
Task Steps

Create arcs to round Use the Arc tool

off the corners

Choose a corner and position the Arc tool over one of the
measuring points. Click and move to the diagonally opposite point.
Click and then move to create the arc

Repeat for the other 3 corners

Task Steps

Erase the sharp Use the Eraser tool

corners

Click on the sharp corners to erase them leaving the rounded

corners
Task Steps

Extrude the table top Use the Push/Pull tool

Extrude the table top by 20 mm

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Turn the table top Turn the table top into a component called table top 01
into a component
Task Steps

Create a table leg Create a table leg measuring 100 x 100 x 750 mm

Turn the table leg into a component called table leg 01

Task Steps

Duplicate and Choose Window>Components

position the table legs
This will launch the Components dialogue

Click on the little house icon to show the components In Model

Click on the table leg 01 component. Move your mouse cursor into
the scene and click to place the duplicate table leg

Repeat this process to place two more table legs

Move the table legs into position. Remember you can use the
following to help you: changing viewpoints, inferences, holding
down shift to constrain movement along an axis
Task Steps

Create a group Use the Outliner dialogue

Hold down Shift and select the table components

Choose Edit>Make Group

Your Outliner dialogue should now show the five table components
nested under a group called Group
Task Steps

Rename the group Right-click the name Group in the Outliner dialogue

Choose Rename from the bottom of the pop-up list

Rename your group Table 01

You will now be able to select and move the table as a single entity
Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Floorboards (Array)

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 02.skp
Task Steps

Create the basic Use the Top view and Parallel Projection
shape for the
floorboard Use the Rectangle tool

Begin by creating a floorboard as 2d shape with the following

dimensions:

Floorboard = 5000 x 100 mm

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Extrude the Use the Push/Pull tool

floorboard

Extrude the floorboard by 15 mm

Task Steps

Turn the floorboard Turn the floorboard into a component called floorboard 01
into a component
Task Steps

Create an array Select the floorboard using the Select tool

Select the Move tool

Press the Ctrl key. A plus sign should appear next to the Move
tool cursor

Begin moving the duplicate floorboard

Type 110 and press Enter to move the duplicate 110 mm

Then type x30 and press Enter

This will create an array of 30 duplicates, each spaced 110 mm

Alternative Steps
method to create
an array Select the floorboard using the Select tool

Select the Move tool

Press the Ctrl key. A plus sign should appear next to the Move
tool cursor

Move the duplicate floorboard a given distance by either moving

and clicking to place, or by typing in a distance

Then type /10 and press Enter

This will create an array of 10 duplicates spaced equally in between

Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Wall

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 03.skp
Task Steps

Create the 2 basic Use the Front view and Parallel Projection
shapes (wall and
window opening) Use the Rectangle tool

Begin by creating 2 rectangles with the following dimensions:

Wall = 5000 x 2500 mm

Window opening = 2000 x 1000 mm

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Create measuring Use the Tape Measure Tool

points

Create 2 measuring points as shown in the diagram below:

One point 1000 mm in from the top left corner of the wall

The other point 1000 mm up from the bottom left corner of the
wall

Task Steps

Create guides Use the Tape Measure Tool

Create 2 guides from the two measuring points you created in the
previous task

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Move the window Use the Select tool to select the window opening rectangle
opening rectangle
into position Use the Move tool to move the window opening rectangle into
position:

Use the Shift key and inference points to align and snap the
rectangle into position using the guides you created in the previous
task

Task Steps

Extrude the wall Use the Push/Pull tool

Extrude the wall by 300 mm

Task Steps

Delete the window Use the Select tool to select the window opening rectangle
opening rectangle
Press Delete to remove it

Select and delete

this rectangle

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SketchUp TIMZC

Note: you can also select and delete the guides and measuring
points you created in the previous tasks
Task Steps

Convert the wall into Select the wall using the Select tool
a component

Then select the Make Component tool

This will launch the Create Component dialogue box. Name the
component Wall 01
Task Steps

Move the wall into Use the Move tool

position

Move the wall and snap its bottom corner to an end corner of a
floorboard (see diagram at the beginning of this exercise to see how
it should all fit together)
Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Window Frame (Offset)

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 04.skp
Task Steps

Create the basic Use the Front view and Parallel Projection
shape
Use the Rectangle tool

Create the rectangle to fit the window opening by using the

inferences to help you snap to the corners
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Hide the wall Use the Select tool

Select the wall and choose Edit>Hide

Task Steps

Create the inner Select the rectangle you created for the start of the window frame
rectangle for the
window frame Select the Offset tool

Click on the selected rectangle and begin moving the mouse

Type 50 to offset an inner rectangle 50 mm inside the original

rectangle
Task Steps

Extrude the window Use the Push/Pull tool

frame

Extrude the window frame by 40 mm

Task Steps

Delete the inner Use the Select tool to select the inner rectangle, inside the window
rectangle frame

Press Delete to remove it

Task Steps

Convert the window Select the window frame using the Select tool
frame into a
component

Then select the Make Component tool

This will launch the Create Component dialogue box. Name the
component Window Frame 01
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Move the window Unhide the wall by choosing Edit>Unhide>All

frame into position
Using inferences to help you, move the window frame into the
middle of the window opening in the wall
Optional task Create a second, smaller, inner frame and/or a sheet of glass to
finish the window
Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

You can also hide components by right-clicking on the component in the Outliner dialogue
and choosing Hide

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Sphere and Vase (Lathing)

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 05.skp
Task Steps

Create the path circle Use the Iso view and Parallel Projection

Use the Circle tool

Create a circle with a radius of about 400 mm. This first circle is
the path circle
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Create the profile Use the Circle tool

circle

This second circle has to have 3 properties:

• It must share the same centre as the first circle. Inferences

will help with this

• It must be perpendicular to the first circle. Use Shift to lock on

to an axis

• It must be smaller than the first circle

Create the second circle with a radius of about 200 mm. This
second circle is the profile circle

Task Steps

Create the sphere Use the Select tool

using the Follow Me
tool

Select the first (path) circle

Use the Follow Me tool

Click on the second (profile) circle with the Follow Me tool

The second circle will be spun (lathed) around the first circle to
create a sphere
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Turn the sphere into Turn the sphere into a component and name it Sphere 01
a component
Task Steps

Move the sphere onto Use the Move tool to move the sphere onto the table
the table
You will find inferences and changing views will help you
achieve this
Optional task You will need to use a mixture of the Line and Arc tools to create
a profile
Create a vase
Remember that the path circle will need to be larger than the
profile shape and they must share a common centre point, see
diagram below:
The edge of the profile
(what will become the
middle of the resulting
lathed object) must line
up with the middle of the
path circle below

Remember to turn your finished vase into a component

Then place it on the table alongside the sphere

Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Roof (Protractor)

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 06.skp
Task Steps

Create guides with Use the Front view and Parallel Projection
the Protractor tool
Use the Protractor tool

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Steps (continued)

Create a diagonal guide using the following steps (see diagram

below, numbers in diagram correspond to numbers in list below):

1. Position the Protractor tool over the top left corner of the wall
(the inference will help you)

2. Click and move the Protractor tool to the to right corner of the
wall

3. Click and move up, you will see a diagonal line following your
cursor

4. Type 20 and press Enter to set the diagonal guide at 20 °

3
1 2

Task Steps

Create a diagonal Repeat the process to create a diagonal guide going the opposite
guide going the way
opposite way
The two guides should intersect above the middle of the wall
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Use the protractor Use the Line tool

guides to create a
roof line

Create a line as shown in the diagram below. The protractor guides

and inferences will help you

Task Steps

Offset the line Select the line with the Select tool

Offset the line by 150 mm using the Offset tool

Task Steps

Join the two lines Join the two lines by creating connecting lines with the Line tool

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Extrude the roof You have two options:

shape
1. Extrude the roof shape using the Follow Me tool so that it
covers the room below

2. Extrude the roof shape, using the Follow Me tool, by about 80

mm so that it resembles a rafter. Then turn it into a component
and create an array of rafters similar to the diagram below:

Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Creating a 3D model – Finishing touches

Task Steps

Continue with Continue working with your existing project. Alternatively open
existing project Advanced Techniques - Part 07.skp
Task Steps

Finishing touches Finish your scene by:

• Setting up lighting and Shadows (Window>Shadows and

View>Toolbars...>Shadows)

• Applying Materials and colours (Window>Materials)

• Choosing a Style (Window>Styles and

View>Toolbars...>Styles)

• Setting up an interesting viewpoint (consider the perspective

options under the Camera menu)

Then Export a 2d image of your scene and show it to the lecturer

Task Steps

Save your project Choose File>Save

Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

* Section Planes

Task Steps

Open an existing Open the SketchUp file called Space Shuttle Atlantis 01.skp
project
Task Steps

Set up the view Use the Front view and Parallel Projection

Zoom out a little

Task Steps

Set up a Section Select the Section Plane tool

Plane

Move your mouse cursor in the scene to place the Section Plane

Avoid moving the mouse cursor over the model of the shuttle
otherwise SketchUp will try to align the section plane to various
elements of the model
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Task Steps

Change view Change the view to Iso then Zoom Extents

Task Steps

Move the Section Select the Section Plane with the Select tool
Plane
Then move the Section Plane with the Move tool
Note: you can also rotate the Section Plane with the Rotate tool
Task Steps

Export your scene as Set up Shadows, viewpoint and Styles

a 2d image
Then choose File>Export>2D Graphic...
Notes

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SketchUp TIMZC

Appendices
Further reading Google SketchUp: The Missing Manual by Chris Grover
Downloadable Course These course materials, plus the files you need to complete the
Materials exercises, are available through the ITLP Portfolio.

You can enter the Portfolio at http://portfolio.it.ox.ac.uk/

Field of View table

Focal Length Field of View
(mm) (degrees)
13 118
18 100
20 94
24 84
28 74
35 62
50 46
85 28
105 23
135 18
200 12
300 8
500 5
600 4
1000 2

Notes

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SketchUp: Your safety is important
SketchUp – advanced techniques -
modelling Where is the fire exit?
Carl Wenczek Beware of hazards:
Tripping over bags and coats
Please report any equipment faults to us
Let us know if you have any other concerns

IT Learning Programme

Your comfort is important

The toilets are along the corridor outside the

lecture rooms
The rest area is where you registered;
it has vending machines and a water cooler
Model
Components
The seats at the computers are adjustable
You can adjust the monitors for height, tilt and
brightness
vertex

edge
face polygon
object Model components

Follow Me - Lathing Where next?

• SketchUp – Advanced techniques – materials

• Layers
• Scenes…
…leading to animation
This presentation is made available by Carl Wenczek under a Creative
Commons licence:

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
CC BY-NC-ND