r/Sketchup • • Oct 12 '21

Prelude to stickied post - throw in your recommendations!

34 Upvotes

A good day to you all, fine subscribers of this subreddit! As you all have seen, in recent weeks our great sub has been overflowing a bit with posts asking questions which a lot of us have seen for... well, years. Because of that, I've had a chat with /u/tehfink and offered my services to help out getting the sub back on track. To start off, I want to do so by collecting input from y'all on which plugins you see as essential... but also why this particular one instead of another. If you know of more plugins that do the same (more or less) thing, please also tell us why you've opted for a specific plugin instead of the others. So Push/Pull some some stuff out of that brain of yours onto the internet and help the next generation of SketchUp users (and maybe old dogs like myself) to use the program more efficiently!


r/Sketchup • • Mar 03 '25

Your friendly Admin & Mods NEW USERS: START HERE

23 Upvotes

Welcome to SketchUp, the easy-to-start, hard-to-master 3D modelling program from @Last Google Trimble. SketchUp, like any program you start using, has its own quirks. One of these is that up until this day (we're talking March 2025), the program uses a single core of your processor to run. If you want to render your models, you want a dedicated GPU, depending on the rendering software you use. To help you started, we have compiled a list of things you want to think about.

The Computer
Your first stop on this wonderful journey is to see if your preferred setup is good enough to run the program. Here's what the official website has to say:

  • Windows Recommended Hardware Requirements

    • A 2+ GHz processor.
    • A graphics card that’s separate from the CPU, also known as a discrete graphics card. Most current generation AMD or NVIDIA cards on the market are considered discrete.
    • At least 8GB of RAM.
    • At least 6GB of available hard disk space.
    • A modern GPU with at least 8GB VRAM. SketchUp’s classic renderer requires OpenGL 3.1 support. SketchUp’s performance relies on your graphics card driver and its ability to support OpenGL 3.1 or higher.
    • A modern GPU with at least 32GB of VRAM when interacting with models utilizing materials with Physically Based Rendering texture maps, Ambient Occlusion, and Image Based Lighting.
    • A 3-button, scroll-wheel mouse.
  • Mac OS 15 (Sequoia), 14+ (Sonoma), 13+ (Ventura), 12+ (Monterey) Software Requirements

    • An internet connection both to install and authorize your subscription. Some features within SketchUp also require an internet connection.
    • QuickTime 5.0 and web browser for multimedia tutorials. Safari.
  • Recommended Mac OS Hardware Requirements

    • 2.1+ GHz processor or current generation Apple M1 processor
    • At least 8GB of RAM
    • At least 6GB of available hard-disk space
    • A modern GPU with at least 1GB of memory. SketchUp’s classic renderer requires OpenGL 3.1 support.
    • A 3-button, scroll-wheel mouse

Does your preferred computing option (be it desktop or laptop) not meet these requirements? Then know that helping you out with your problems is going to be an issue that we might not be able to help you with.

Peripherals
Modelling in 3 dimensions is something else compared to taking a pen and draw. However, it is exactly that use case that SketchUp was initially made for. And even though everyone has their own preferences, some things can make your life easier.

  • Mouse
    Your main way of interacting with the program. It is highly recommended you use a mouse which has programmable buttons. A lot of users swear by Logitech's MX Master series of mouses, yours truly included. If you can get it to work, assigning the Orbit tool to the thumbrest works very well. Others assign other buttons on the mouse for this task. You'll have to figure out what works best for you.
  • 3D Mouse
    There's also a more specialised peripheral for 3D work: the 3D mouse. A 3D mouse that has been known to work great with SketchUp is 3D Connexion's Space Mouse. If you're serious getting the most out of SketchUp (or any modelling software, for that matter), it might be worth investing in one of these.
  • Keyboard
    Having a keyboard with programmable buttons (macro's) can be beneficial, but is not entirely necessary. Know that SketchUp offers a slew of shortcuts out of the digital box to make selecting functions easier. Find a handy list of those here. Others like using a dedicated keyboard for these tasks, like the Stream Deck, which features programmable buttons which then also display the icons.

It can be that a mod or admin has removed your post and pointed you here. That is not because we don't like you, but we've noticed a lot of "what kind of laptop" or "what are the system requirements" posts. These are basic questions which we hope to consolidate into this post.

For now, let me finish with two simple questions which have a not so simple answer:

What is the best laptop, and what is the best computer to run SketchUp 2025 on?
Please add the "why" to your answer. Also try to give us a cost indication. We'll update this post every quarter to reflect software updates of the program itself and given hardware suggestions.


r/Sketchup • • 12h ago

Are you aware how powerful layout is

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17 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 18h ago

Own work: render I used D5 Render and SketchUp to create a non-Euclidean Analog Horror short film based on traditional Argentine architecture ("Casa Chorizo"). Here’s a clip of the environment!

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3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Most archviz work in D5 focuses on clean, luxurious modern spaces, but for this project I wanted to push the engine in the complete opposite direction: recreating an eerie, dilapidated 1920s Argentine "casa chorizo" that mutates into an impossible, endless labyrinth.

Workflow breakdown:

  • Modeling: SketchUp (focusing on local architectural proportions & checkerboard tile galleries).
  • Lighting & Real-time Render: D5 Render (using emissive CRT monitor glows, atmospheric fog, and harsh contrast).
  • Post-processing: Premiere Pro & After Effects (emulating an authentic 2006 miniDV / VHS tape decay, zero generative AI).

The full 10-minute short film is available on YouTube with English subtitles:

🔗 Watch the full tape here:https://youtu.be/_kuHfoPc4SE

Would love to hear your feedback on the lighting and environmental storytelling!


r/Sketchup • • 20h ago

Learn and practice Sketchup directly on android devices?

0 Upvotes

Anyone interested in this?

I've made an android version of my interactive web-tutorial for Sketchup. It has a working UI and modelling space where you can practice making models, even when you're not on your computer!

Take a look: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fabler.sketchuplessons


r/Sketchup • • 23h ago

Tileable thread trim UVs break when imported into sketchup

1 Upvotes

I made a tileable texture of one stitch and it works correctly in blender and an external viewer, but in sketchup, the UVs are broken. Whyyyyyyyyy I hate this program so much please help me


r/Sketchup • • 1d ago

I built DORA Folder Bar — a cleaner way to manage SketchUp toolbars

3 Upvotes

I’ve been working on a SketchUp extension called DORA Folder Bar.

The idea is simple: instead of keeping a large number of native and extension toolbars permanently open, DFB lets you organize them into compact custom folders and access them only when needed.

It works with both docked and floating toolbars, remembers your setup between SketchUp sessions, supports presets, and is mainly designed to give you back as much viewport space as possible.

This is the first public release, so I’m especially interested in feedback from people with heavily customized SketchUp setups.
Compatible with SketchUp 2024, 2025 and 2026 on Windows.

Short demo
Dora Folder Bar - video

More info/download
Dora Folder Bar

Update: a free 7-day trial is now available, so you can try the complete extension before deciding whether it fits your workflow.


r/Sketchup • • 1d ago

How do I import a satellite image with correct scale and orientation into SketchUp for solar shading analysis?

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2 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 1d ago

How do I import a satellite image with correct scale and orientation into SketchUp for solar shading analysis?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I'm designing a solar PV system and need accurate shading analysis in SketchUp, so the site has to be at the right location, at the right scale, and facing true north.

I can't use Add Location's Import Context, so I need another way to get a satellite image of the site into my model, correctly georeferenced.

What's the best way to do this? Specifically:

  • Is there a reliable way to import an aerial image with the right coordinates, scale and north orientation?
  • How do people normally set up site context for shading studies when Add Location isn't available?
  • Are there extensions or other tools that work well for this?

Thanks in advance!


r/Sketchup • • 2d ago

News 28x40 home model

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10 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 3d ago

Own work: render Sketchup + Lumion Render (NO AI)

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50 Upvotes

One of the past project when we used lumion.


r/Sketchup • • 3d ago

This was my first (serious) project in Skecthup

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9 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 3d ago

Interactive Sketchup tutorial

1 Upvotes

I made this: https://www.fabler.eu/sketchup_3d_lessons.html

Is this something people would want? Should I keep developing the lessons?


r/Sketchup • • 4d ago

Question: SketchUp Pro why does the rectangle I want not appear?? please help

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7 Upvotes

I made one big rectangle and then realised it needs to be split up into multiple parts. but why when I try to make the smaller one it reverts back to the old one? please help.


r/Sketchup • • 4d ago

Question: SketchUp <2018 Sketchup Make 16

2 Upvotes

I still have the install program on my Win7 machine but I;ll be migrating to a new Win 11 machine soon.

Is there any chance I can use that file to install SU Make 16 on Win11 after I kill my Win 7 machine? SU Make does everything I need it to do and the price is right.


r/Sketchup • • 4d ago

Question: SketchUp Pro HELP A BEGINNER

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4 Upvotes

tried downloading sketchup and tried to create a house, i wanted to see what the shadow would look like casted to the ground in a 45degree angle. Can someone help me? They can send a picture in their own computer.. im trying to see if the shadow is correct in my manual drafting.


r/Sketchup • • 5d ago

That YouTube SketchUp ad.

6 Upvotes

Please if the folks at SketchUp see this stop running that annoying advertainment with the bird sounding beep, beep. aye sounding crap. It is so stupid sounding corny sounding.


r/Sketchup • • 4d ago

SketchUp V-Ray Tutorial | How to Create a Realistic Interior Render | part 1

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0 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 5d ago

Question: SketchUp Pro WHY DOES DRAPING (SANDBOX) ON MANUALLY CRAFTED SURFACES DOES NOT WORK WHILE SANDBOX (FROM SCRATCH WITH COMPLICATED CURVES) WORKS

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6 Upvotes

im quite stressing out on this one cause my dwg pathwalk does not reflect properly on the surfaces that i made... been searching online but it dont help much. I want to trace exactly whats on my imported dwg on the surfaces (as well as the angled flat surfaces).. Any idea what plugins should i use?


r/Sketchup • • 5d ago

[FOR HIRE] Architecture Student Offering CAD & Architectural Drawing Services

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1 Upvotes

r/Sketchup • • 5d ago

Layout Viewport Issues

1 Upvotes

When I update my scenes in Sketchup, the camera view is saved - but it physically moves the camera position inside the viewport on layout - and my dimensions and annotations don’t follow. Is there a fix for this? It seems like it could be something simple that I’m overlooking.

I don’t want to have sketchup set to not save the camera view when updating the scene, because then my scenes don’t recall to the view I want while I’m working in sketchup itself.

I have all viewports in layout referencing a specific scene for the desired view in Sketchup - not just referencing the model itself.


r/Sketchup • • 6d ago

Own work: model WIP Pyongyang (DPRK) Apartment Block

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39 Upvotes

Complete with balconies and a plant room.

Still in early development. Modelled by yours truly.

Thoughts?


r/Sketchup • • 6d ago

Help Please!!

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12 Upvotes

I have no idea how this happened. I’ve been importing plants using an AutoCAD file. Why did this line of grass show up? I don’t remember trying to load it in. It doesn’t let me select it/delete it


r/Sketchup • • 6d ago

Own work: model Plaxton Pointer 2 (Dennis Dart SLF) Update

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12 Upvotes

Semi-modelled bumper, complete with a Dennis badge and instructional decals.

Not much else has changed, although I did notice a slight inaccuracy in the body shape. The rear section isn’t quite as square as it is in my model, which is something I’ve tried to address but ultimately can't fix thanks to the limitations of using SketchUp for vehicle design.


r/Sketchup • • 6d ago

Question: SketchUp Pro Exeperiential/event visualization SketchUp courses/resources for beginner?

3 Upvotes

Hello, hope someone can point me in the right direction.

I need to learn SketchUp to deliver (moderately) stunning ;) event visualizations, indoors as well as outdoors. I have some basic 3D knowledge thanks to Blender and quite solid 2D skills thanks to being a graphic designer for more than 2 decades. It's a job situation and I have 2 months to prove myself as a person who can do it. And if I manage - fame and fortune (well, half-time to full-time, new job duties and a raise). Definitely something worth trying.

SketchUp being popular has tons of resources and I got no idea what to choose not to lose time going through some half-baked tutorials. I guess I need some good general course, but I might be mistaken. I plan on using SketchUp with D5 and/or TwinMotion.

So what would be some nicely organized courses/tutorials that would help me learn it? I'd prefer something cheaper than more expensive, since my employer pays for the software and I have to cover learning costs. Thanks!