Ge�ng Started in SketchUp:
When you first run SketchUp,
the Welcome to SketchUp
dialog box appears, as shown
here. This dialog box is your
star�ng point for crea�ng a
model and appears every �me
you start SketchUp (unless you
clear the Always show on
startup check box).
In the Welcome to SketchUp
dialog box, you can choose a
template for your model,
license a copy of SketchUp Pro,
and learn more about
SketchUp.
Selec�ng a template:
Every model in SketchUp is
based on a template, which has
predefined se�ngs for your
model’s background and units
of measurement. Here’s how to
select a template in the
Welcome to SketchUp dialog
box:
1) At the top of the dialog box,
the Default Template field tells
you the name of the currently
selected template. To change
the template, click the Choose
Template bu�on or click the
arrow next to the Template tab.
The Templates tab opens with a
list of templates that come with
SketchUp, as shown here.
2) Scroll through the list and
select your desired template.
(Note that the examples in the
rest of this PDF are based on
Simple Template - Feet and
Inches.) We typically use
Architectural Design - Feet and
Inches.
3) Click the Start using SketchUp
bu�on.
Exploring the SketchUp
Interface:
1) Title Bar
2) Menu Bar
3) Ge�ng Started Toolbar
4) Drawing Area
5) Status Bar
6) Measurements Box
7) Default Tray (Windows Only)
Title Bar:
The �tle bar contains the standard window controls (close, minimize, and maximize) and the name of the currently open
file. When you start SketchUp, the name of the currently open file is Un�tled, indica�ng that you have not yet saved your
work.
Menu Bar:
The majority of SketchUp tools, commands, and se�ngs are available within the menus on the menu bar. The menus
are: SketchUp (Mac only), File, Edit, View, Camera, Draw, Tools, Window, and Help.
Ge�ng Started Toolbar:
When you begin using SketchUp, the Ge�ng Started toolbar is the one you see by default. It contains the basic tools you
need to begin crea�ng 3D models.
To display addi�onal toolbars, select View > Toolbars. In the Toolbars dialog box that opens, select the toolbars you want
to see and click Close. In macOS, you can display tool pale�es by selec�ng View > Tool Pale�es.
Drawing Area:
The drawing area is where you create your model. The 3D space of the drawing area is iden�fied visually by the drawing
axes, which provide a sense of direc�on in 3D space while you work.
The drawing area also contains a simple model of a person to give you a sense of 3D space.
Status Bar:
When you’re ge�ng started with SketchUp, the two important elements on the status bar are the �ps in the middle and
the Measurements box on the right:
Tips for using the tools: In the middle area of the status bar, click the ques�on mark icon to display the Instructor
window, which offers basic informa�on about using whatever tool you select in the toolbar. The middle area also displays
a brief sentence about using the selected tool. This area is helpful when you’re not sure how a tool works.
Measurements box: This box is a cri�cal tool for crea�ng accurate models. The box displays dimensions as you draw. You
can also use this box to manipulate currently selected en��es (such as crea�ng a line that’s a specific length) or to create
evenly spaced copies of en��es (such as columns, fencing, or housing blocks in a post-industrial dystopia).
On the le� side of the status bar, you find bu�ons to geo-locate, claim credit, and sign in to your Google Account,
respec�vely. These op�ons help you work with advanced SketchUp features that are beyond the scope of this ar�cle.
Default Tray (Windows Only):
In Windows only, on the right side of the screen, you see a tray of panels, including the Instructor, Materials, Styles, and
so on. The Default Tray appears when you open SketchUp, but you can close it by clicking the Close bu�on in the upper
right of the tray. Toggle the tray so it's visible or hidden via the Window > Default Tray submenu.
