SketchUp 8 tutorials

These tutorials are based on the older SketchUp 8, not the new web based versions. I drew all my plans with the free Sketchup 8 from 2012 and continue to use that version. If you have the older version 8, I recommend sticking with that. If you know someone who has Sketchup 8, ask them for a copy. It's only 35 megabytes. On Jay Bates's SketchUp page you will also find a link to download the old version 8.

Sketchup versions from 2013 onwards only allowed you to install the much larger full pro evaluation version, which after 8 hours of usage disables the "pro only" features, but leaving you with much more stuff on your hard drive.

And at some point the free version became a version that only runs in your browser. I only briefly tried the web version and didn't like it, though it's a good if you only want to view an existing cad model.

Up until 2020, you could still download the old version 8 off the SketchUp website, but I think they removed that to force you to use a newer, less straightforward version and annoy you into paying for something better. But as of 2021, I still use the old version 8 myself.

Tutorial 1: Navigating a drawing, and objects.

The plan that I'm loading is this student desk plan

Tutorial 2: Drawing objects with accurate dimensions - drawing a simple table

Tutorial 3: Drawing mortise and tenon joinery

Tutorial 4: Embellishing the drawing - adding colours rounds and chamfers

You can download the SketchUp model that I finished in the above video.

Tutorial 5: Using scenes and layers together to make multiple views

You can download the model that I created in this tutorial.

Tutorial 6:

The behaviour of nested objects, layers, and colour inheritance

You can download the sketchup file that I started with in this tutorial.


Tutorial 7:

From SketchUp to SVG for laser cutter using FlightsOfIdeas plugin

Tutorial 8:

Drawing a clock face with SketchUp: Circles, Rotations, and objects


A bit more about how I use sketchup:

This video is a bit about how I make a printable 1:1 drawing using my BigPrint program



More videos with SketchUp:

3D reindeer on the bandsaw

Bandsaw sawmill CAD model flythryough


Also see Jay Bates Woodworking sketchup 8 tutorials for lots and lots videos showing specific techniques.

And here's another collection of SketchUp tutorials on YouTube

See also:

Make large 1:1 printouts using my My BigPrint program
Beginning woodworking
Bandsaw reindeer
Woodworking plans
Woodworking projects
Back to my Woodworking website