{"id":1230,"date":"2017-02-21T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-21T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/architizer.wpengine.com\/a-love-letter-to-sketchup\/"},"modified":"2022-05-31T07:31:21","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T11:31:21","slug":"a-love-letter-to-sketchup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/practice\/tools\/a-love-letter-to-sketchup\/","title":{"rendered":"Architecture\u2019s Gateway Drug: 4 Reasons Why I Love SketchUp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael LaValley is an NY-state registered architect, career strategist and the blogging entrepreneur behind Evolving Architect<\/a>. Michael is launching a new SketchUp Training course for aspiring architects \u2014 click here for more information on how to sign up<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

When I consider all the software programs that I\u2019ve had to learn in order to practice architecture, the one that I always think fondly of is SketchUp<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the first software I ever learned by any means, but it\u2019s the first that really opened my eyes to the possibilities for architectural design.<\/p>\n

Way Back When<\/h2>\n

A little over 12 years ago, I found myself at the desk of a fellow student, looking over his shoulder as he created a breathtaking landscape and conceptual house design. He was deftly moving the computer mouse\u2019s cursor across the screen, manipulating lines and planes to form three-dimensional wonders.<\/p>\n

I had already been at school for three semesters before that and only had brief glimpses at similar computer programs. I had tried to teach myself the animation software Maya before that. That\u2019s another story, though, for another time. (Fun Fact: \u2018Maya\u2019 is also the name of my cat. I wonder where that name came from. \u201cSketchUp\u201d didn\u2019t really have the same ring to it.)<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t believe how simple he made it look. It was almost like he had just willed the design into being.<\/p>\n

Having just completed several semesters of freehand and hard-line drawing (oh, how I remember drawing sections of green peppers), I could tell immediately what a tool like SketchUp could do for me.<\/p>\n

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We discussed it for a few hours. I needed to understand everything about it.<\/p>\n

I went back to my dorm and researched it. I began to dive deeper into my search, finding fantastical images and concepts that had been generated by it. \u201cMildly obsessed\u201d would be a fair description of my behavior at the time.<\/p>\n

A few weeks later, a new studio project was on the horizon. I knew exactly what I needed to do. I created a SketchUp model. The first one wasn\u2019t pretty. In many respects, it was probably the worst 3D model known to man up to that point in history.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that what I had intended as a magnificent fa\u00e7ade cascading across the street edge was no more than a glorified awning that resembled something you\u2019d find on some old-time nickel and dime store. It didn\u2019t matter, though. I saw past the imperfection and realized the absolute potential of 3D modeling in my future as an architect.<\/p>\n

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Paper vs. Clay<\/h2>\n

But Wait!<\/p>\n

SketchUp isn\u2019t really a modeling program. That may sound counterintuitive based on what we\u2019ve discussed so far, but stick with me here. If I had to describe it, I\u2019d say that SketchUp is more akin to the way we draw than the way we sculpt. Other 3D modeling programs provide you with tools to add and subtract solids as their primary method of creation.<\/p>\n

At the other end of the spectrum, SketchUp allows you to draw shapes in three dimensions that result in volumetric solids. That\u2019s not to say that you can\u2019t draw in 3D with the other programs; it\u2019s simply that they\u2019re not built that way from the ground up.<\/p>\n

Two Flavors<\/h2>\n

Like a good ice cream brand, SketchUp comes in two flavors: Make and Pro. SketchUp Make is Trimble\u2019s free version, meant for hobbyists and those looking to learn the program for the first time. SketchUp Pro on the other hand is for professionals who need additional functionality and commercial use of the software.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve found that you can do about 90 percent of everything you would ever need to in SketchUp\u2019s free version, making it a great tool for such a steal. You can\u2019t beat \u201cfree\u201d when the product is that good. But what makes SketchUp so great? For me, it boils down to four key factors:<\/p>\n

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1. Accessibility<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re new to 3D modeling, SketchUp is one of the easiest software packages out there to start with. It\u2019s one, if not the most, important characteristic of the program.<\/p>\n

The advantage you have because of SketchUp\u2019s limited cost of entry cannot be understated. Most other modeling programs require you to spend tens of hours before you even start to get what they\u2019re about.<\/p>\n

Not with SketchUp. You can basically pick it up and go.<\/p>\n

The user interface has very simple command buttons that lead to simple tools, which in turn will help you manifest new creations quickly.<\/p>\n

2. Versatility<\/h2>\n

SketchUp can be used to realize almost any concept. Whether it\u2019s architecture, woodworking, film production or any other of a hundred practices, SketchUp can help you realize the ideas that are in your head.<\/p>\n

If you want to design a new house, go ahead. If you want to fabricate a new chair, that\u2019s fine, too. The limits you have with SketchUp are only the ones you place on your own imagination.<\/p>\n

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3. Practicality<\/h2>\n

SketchUp allows me to design what I need so that I can further explore my ideas in meaningful ways. It gives me the freedom to understand my design while also creating a quick mock-up that I can use to champion my designs to others.<\/p>\n

The models I create can establish design commitments by an owner or even decide a project\u2019s fate. I can quickly take the information from the exercise to make the model and develop the design by coordinating what I\u2019ve learned with others on my team.<\/p>\n

4. Cost<\/h2>\n

When it comes down to it, SketchUp is among the most affordable programs you can buy. It\u2019s important to have access to the program, especially when you\u2019re first learning it.<\/p>\n

For comparison, below is a list of prevalent drafting and modeling software. (Costs as of Feb. 9, 2017)<\/p>\n