Should you be using SketchUp extensions? We created a new SketchUp tutorial called 10 SketchUp Extensions Every Architect Should Know that covers the extensions that help solve the biggest and most common problems architects run into. Inside the video, we show you extensions for:

• Roofs

• Doors & Windows

• Stairs

• Fencing & Railing

• Profiles & Assemblies

• Site Context

• Terrain & Organic Shapes

• Site Grading

• Roads, Paths & Waterways

• All-in-one tools for Design, Documentation & Reporting

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtpEmbteWW8

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

Have you ever thought about rendering your SketchUp models in Photoshop? We created a new SketchUp tutorial that will show you the key things you need to do in SketchUp first to set yourself up for success in Photoshop. In the video, we cover how to:

1. Split Your SketchUp Image into Photoshop Layers
2. Export Transparency & Alpha Channels
3. Create Selection Helper Scenes
4. Use SketchUp’s Horizon
5. Isolate SketchUp Tags for Reference
6. Turn SketchUp Fog into a Depth of Field Effect
7. Streamline Your SketchUp to Photoshop Workflow

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8RAHxl057o&feature=youtu.be

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

The decision about whether to choose Blender or SketchUp comes down to how much importance you place on key differences between the two.

Perhaps price is most important to you, and so you would choose the free option over the paid one. Or maybe ease of learning is highest on your list, so you would pick the one that is faster to learn.

Or you might take the longer view and try to figure out which is best for the types of projects you work on.

To help folks better compare the two, we created a YouTube video called “Blender vs SketchUp – Which is Right for YOU?” that covers 8 key differences between SketchUp and Blender that should help you choose the best option for you. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP4Afo0rUuQ

Ever get stuck trying to model something difficult in SketchUp? We’ve just published a new SketchUp tutorial video on our YouTube channel that covers 7 fundamental concepts you should know before tackling more advanced modeling challenges.

Inside this video, we cover these 7 key concepts:

1. SketchUp Uses Polygons
2. Connected Polygons Create Meshes
3. The Shape, Orientation & Number of Polygons Matters
4. Every 3D Object is Wrapped in a Mesh
5. Wrapped Meshes Can Have Edge Loops
6. Follow Me Creates Edge Loops
7. Use Intersect Faces to Create Edge Loops

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG-YNxtT6bs

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

Do you need to render exteriors with V-Ray for SketchUp? We’ve got a new video for you. It walks you through 7 key things to know for creating successful exterior renderings with Vray for SketchUp.

Inside this video, we cover these 7 steps:

1. Compose Your Shot
2. Choose the Right Lighting
3. Use realistic materials
4. Fill in the Environment
5. Add the Smaller Details
6. Set-up Your Final Render settings
7. Make Basic Image Adjustments

Plus we offer notes that include recommendations for where to get HDR images, realistic materials and SketchUp extensions to help with your exterior renderings.

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyAqx6VGGnw

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

Are you new to rendering interiors using V-Ray for SketchUp? If you are, we’ve got a new YouTube video that walks you through 7 key tips for creating an interior rendering with V-Ray for SketchUp. This is the video we wish existed when we first got started with V-Ray… Watch this before you create your first interior rendering and you’ll avoid the problems people often run into.

Inside the video, we cover these 7 steps:

1. Start with Draft Settings
2. Use Material Override
3. Figure out Your Key Lighting First
4. Add Fill Lights Next
5. Use Realistic Materials
6. Mind Your Background
7. Choose Good Render Settings & Make a Few Easy Adjustments

Plus we offer notes that include recommendations for where to get additional rendering assets like HDR images and realistic materials.

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B0Sen0ZRr8

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

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Do you ever need to create a floor plan for a client? As you probably know, LayOut is a great tool for the job… but what if you just needed to do a quick floor plan using only SketchUp? We’ve just released a new YouTube video and in it we’ve shared a technique from a paid course we teach. Watch and you’ll avoid problems people run into when learning how to create a professional floor plan with SketchUp.

Inside the video, we cover how to:

• Choose the best template to start your floor plan

• Draw the floor shape, exterior walls and interior walls from field measurements

• Organize your floor plan using Groups and Layers

• Create your own 2D symbols for windows and doors

• Import 2D symbols for things like furniture and fixtures

• Turn your floor plan into a professional-looking PDF to share with clients

Plus, we share a starter 2D symbols library you can use on your next floor plan.

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/KVDnb47KBy8

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

For new or self-taught SketchUp users: We’ve created a brand new YouTube video to help you avoid struggling when you’re first getting started. It’s called Watch This Before You Get Started With SketchUp (2019 Update).

Inside the video, we cover these 7 critical concepts:

Which template you should use when first getting started
Why you need to use a mouse, and what type you need
How to use SketchUp’s drawing tools the right way
How stickiness works (and why it’s a good thing)
Why Grouping geometry is critically important
How to accurately use the Move tool, with less frustration
How to navigate like a pro in SketchUp

You can watch the new video on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=022dqcoi05k

When you get a chance to watch the video I’d love to hear from you with any questions or feedback you have. Thanks!

LayOut is a great tool for creating design presentations and construction documents from your SketchUp models. But for new users, it can be frustrating to learn. That’s because there are 7 common mistakes that can trip you up when you’re getting started with LayOut, and all of them have to do with things you need to get right in SketchUp before you dive into LayOut.

If you’re new to LayOut or have struggled trying to learn it, we just published a new video on our YouTube channel for you called Watch This Before You Get Started with LayOut for SketchUp Pro. The goal of the video is to help you avoid the frustration most new LayOut users experience and get you headed down the right path and on your way to creating design presentations and construction documents with LayOut for SketchUp Pro.

Inside the video, we cover:

• Why your Floor Plans, Elevations and Sections need to be turned into Scenes in SketchUp before you get to LayOut
• Ideas for setting up and managing Section Cuts
• Strategies for using Layers in SketchUp to help you in LayOut later
• How to combine SketchUp Styles, LayOut Line Scale and Stacked Viewports to manage your drawing’s line weights
• Why it’s a better idea to draw some of your 2D symbols in SketchUp rather than LayOut

You can watch the new video here: https://youtu.be/ilMHyhu1V14

When you get a chance, watch the video and then be sure to let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thanks!

The first step to fixing the rendering shown is to balance your lighting with your camera exposure. Right now, the image is quite dark, yet the light source in the upper left is looking blown-out (too bright). There are a few ways to handle this, but first I would try adding an Area light that shines from behind the camera back into the room (to add more light into the scene). Then adjust your exposure to get the brightness of the image correct, and perhaps lower the light power for the upper left light. You should be able to balance it all out to get a better image.

Note: We created a YouTube video that shows the technique for adjusting lighting issues like these. You can take a look at that video here: https://youtu.be/yYZuVpddCgk