Getting+Started

If you have not already downloaded the software, go here and follow the download directions.

Once you have the program on your machine, Open the program and you will see this,

If you do not want to see these every time you open the program, uncheck the Always Show on Startup, otherwise it might be good to leave it to have the links to the videos and tips and tricks.

From here you can click the Start Using SketchUp, or you can Choose Templates (either by the button, or from the lower left corner of this screen. If you Choose Templates, you will see this,

There are about 14 templates available. For starting out, the first one in the list will do just fine. Highlight it (if it is not already) and then click Start Using SketchUp. Next you will see this,

So lets talk about the areas of this screen.
 * Icon of person in middle.
 * 3 colored axes
 * tool bars (top and left side)
 * menu system
 * Measurements box (lower right)

Now lets take a look at the tools. Here is a picture of the default tool bar, In order from left to right are,
 * 1) Select Tool (arrow)
 * 2) Line Tool (pencil)
 * 3) Rectangle Tool (the 4 sided thing)
 * 4) Circle Tool (do I really have to describe it?)
 * 5) Arc Tool (half circle)
 * 6) Make Component Tool (glowing blue box)
 * 7) Tape Measure Tool
 * 8) Paint Bucket Tool
 * 9) Push/Pull Tool (box with red arrow pointed up)
 * 10) Move Tool (red arrows pointed like a compass)
 * 11) Rotate Tool (2 red arrows chasing each other)
 * 12) Offset Tool (2 arcs with a small red arrow)
 * 13) Orbit Tool (2 blue arrows)
 * 14) Pan Tool (white hand)
 * 15) Zoom Tool (magnifying glass)
 * 16) Add Location ... Tool (yellow arrow pointed down on a map)
 * 17) Toggle Terrain Tool (brown bent paper looking object, should not be selectable by default)
 * 18) Add New Building Tool (small brown building rising out of a flat surface)
 * 19) Photo Textures Tool (that orange figure on a green location icon)
 * 20) Preview Model in Google Earth Tool (Google Earth with orange arrow)
 * 21) Get Models Tool (open box with yellow down arrow)
 * 22) Share Model Tool (open box with orange up arrow)

Try not to be overwhelmed by this list. You can do many things without using half of these. A more detailed explanation is covered on the Tools page on this site.