Hot Software Tips How-Tos

How To: Move components the way you want in SketchUp

You may find when you are working in SketchUp that you can't get certain components to move the way you want - this is because when you first use them, by default they are automatically stuck to the surface you first put them on (glued). This video that accompanies Chapter 16 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies will show you how to get around this.

How To: Keep your SketchUp model organized

This video series explains how to keep your SketchUp model organized. The videos correspond to Chapter 5 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 explains how to group things together. PART 2 shows you how to select and replace instances. PART 3 covers making new components (like groups but changing one changes them all). PART 4 shows you how to make your own doors and windows. The last part, PART 5, shows you how to put it all together.

How To: Present your models in SketchUp

This video series shows you all the steps involved in properly presenting your models inside SketchUp. The videos correspond to Chapter 10 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 discusses standing in the right spot and how to use the position camera tool. PART 2 explains how to walk around your model using the walk tool. PART 3 shows you how to stop and look around. PART 4 shows you how to set your field of view (how much you can see). PART 5 talks about creating actual scenes. PART ...

How To: Model with photographs in Google SketchUp

This video series shows you everything you need to know about completing a model from photographs in SketchUp. It follows Chapter 7 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 shows you how to add photos to faces. PART 2 explains how to move, scale, rotate, shear and distort your texture. PART 3 shows you how to stretch a photo over a face (of your object that is)! PART 4 shows you how to stretch or scale the model until the photo texture looks right. PART 5 covers how to map photos to fa...

How To: Establish the modeling mindset for SketchUp

This video series helps you understand and get in the right mindset to model in SketchUp. It accompanies Chapter 2 of Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 explains the relationship between edges and faces. PART 2 shows you how to give instructions with the drawing axes. PART 3 explains about keeping an eye out for inferences which help with accuracy. PART 4 shows you how to use those inferences to help you model - specifically locking and encouraging them. PART 5 covers how to get the best vie...

How To: Model a dog house in SketchUp

This video series will help you get started learning SketchUp by showing you how to make a dog house. The videos correspond to chapter 3 of Google SketchUp for Dummies. In PART ONE you build the model, PART TWO you slap on some paint, and in PART THREE you switch on the sun (creating shadows).

How To: Build a building in Google SketchUp

This video series takes you through every step of building a building in SketchUp and is taken from chapter 4 of "Google SketchUp for Dummies" in case you want to follow along. PART 1 explains how to switch to a 2D view to get you ready to build the floor plan. It's a good idea to have accurate measurements of everything you want to build before starting this project. PART 2 familiarizes you with the tools available in SketchUp to help you create your floorplan. PART 3 shows you how to draw t...

How To: Use particleIllusion

This tutorial is in the? tutorials map that comes with particleIllusion, but now available here! Check it out and learn the basics of how to use this particle generating plug-in software for After Effects, Sony Vegas and more.

How To: Fix Z fighting in SketchUp

Overlapping objects or surfaces (faces) can cause a flickering/flashing effect when you move around the object. This is a result of Z fighting. Z fighting is when two faces occupy the exact same space. This video from Chapter 16 of the book "Google SketchUp for Dummies" explains how to get around the problem.