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Accessibility
SketchUp provides accessibility features for users with specialized needs where possible. The Accessibility section in Preferences is where you will find options that make SketchUp’s color-based modeling cues even more accessible.
Getting started
Creating and Editing Shortcuts
You can create and edit shortcuts in the Shortcuts section of Preferences. There are a few limitations to what you can do with shortcuts, so here are some guidelines to help you understand what you can and can’t do:
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Default Keyboard Shortcuts
Using shortcuts is a great way to model efficiently, and SketchUp’s default shortcuts can help you get started.
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Dialog Boxes and Trays
Dialog Boxes and TraysSketchup organizes available features into modeless dialog boxes. Modeless dialog boxes help keep many SketchUp features, like Materials and Styles, easy to access while modeling.In MacOS, dialog boxes appear as independent windows that can be moved around the modeling window as needed.
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Drawing
The Drawing section offers several options to help you customize SketchUp in a way that works best for the way you want to draw.Click StyleThe Click Style options help you customize how the Line tool cursor responds to your mouse clicks:
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Entity Context Menus
SketchUp’s context menus offer different options depending on what type of entity you are working with. Knowing what’s available when you context click an entity can help you skip a few clicks and model with better precision. Note: Not all context menu options will be available for every entity of the same type.
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Files
The Files section provides options allowing you to choose where SketchUp locally saves different types of files.Each option designates where a specific type of file will be saved:
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General
The General tab contains a few different categories, each with options that adjust SketchUp’s basic functionality.
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Getting Started in SketchUp
Getting started with SketchUp is easy, and we want to make sure that everyone, no matter their skill level, has all the information they need to begin creating their own awesome models.
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Getting Started with AI Render
System RequirementsSketchUp AI Render is available on SketchUp for Desktop, SketchUp for iPad, and SketchUp for Web. AI Render requires:An active SketchUp Go, Pro, or Studio subscriptionAn internet connectionGenerating output with AI Render costs SketchUp AI credits each time you use it.
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Getting Started with Gaussian Splats
With the Gaussian Splatting extension, you can view and manipulate high-resolution, photorealistic 3D environments in your SketchUp models. To help you, we’ll walk you through installing the extension and loading up your first splat.
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Getting Started with Sefaira
Getting Started with SefairaTip: If you need some guidance, are running into an issue, or want to learn more about all Sefaira can do, see the dedicated Sefaira Help Center.Using Sefaira with SketchUp starts with the Sefaira plugin. To download the plugin, click one of the following download links:
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Getting Started with Trimble Site Contractor
Trimble Site Contractor (TSC) is a SketchUp for Desktop extension that helps integrate SketchUp with Trimble Siteworks. It converts 3D geometry into accurate, reliable, and actionable field data for layout and earth-moving workflows.
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Graphics
The Graphics section of Preferences provides settings that can help you improve performance based on the graphics capabilities of your device.Graphics SettingsUnder Graphics Settings there are 3 options:
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Importing and Exporting Shortcuts
SketchUp saves your shortcut preferences when you make any changes. If you use SketchUp on different computers, or are upgrading to a new one, you may want to export those preferences and import them into SketchUp on the new device.
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Improving Performance
Whatever your experience level or modeling style, the way you model impacts SketchUp’s performance. Using the recommended system requirements helps, but there are a few other things you can do to optimize your SketchUp experience.
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Managing Dialog Boxes in Mac OS
Managing Dialog Boxes in MacOSThe SketchUp dialog boxes available in MacOS appear in the Window menu. Clicking an option opens the corresponding dialog box. These dialog boxes are independent windows and can be moved anywhere on your desktop, even outside the modeling window.
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Managing Dialog Boxes in Windows
Managing Dialog Boxes in WindowsIn Windows, dialog boxes can be managed using customizable trays. SketchUp provides a default tray with pre-selected dialogs and that tray will appear on the right side of the modeling window by default.
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Managing Units of Measurement
For most SketchUp models, the unit of measurement you use is critical to the success of your final project. In SketchUp you can control what units of measurement are used for each model you create. Units and Precision in Model InfoIn Model Info you can view and change the units of measurement in your model.
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Model Templates
The template you choose when you first create a new model determines a lot of your model’s settings. SketchUp includes a few templates that represent the most common applications including architecture, construction, urban planning, and landscaping among others.
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Navigating the SketchUp Interface
Getting to know the SketchUp interface is a great way to start understanding all the tools and features available to you. After all, it's the first thing you see when you open a new SketchUp model.
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Opening a Saved Model
SketchUp provides a few different ways to open a saved model. Welcome WindowThe most recently opened files appear in SketchUp’s Welcome Window under Recent Files. Clicking the tile or listing for a model will open it in SketchUp.
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Preferences
The Preferences window is where you will find all the customization options to fine tune your SketchUp experience. You’ll find these options by clicking Preferences from the Window menu on Windows or Settings from the SketchUp menu on MacOS.Each section of Preferences covers specific settings:
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Quick Reference Cards
SketchUp Quick Reference Cards are a great way to keep the shortcuts and icons available at a glance as you're learning to navigate the interface or to use SketchUp and LayOut tools. They're also super handy for more experienced users as a reminder of tools you might have forgotten.
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Saving a Model
SketchUp saves your model using the versionless .skp format. The .skp format is both forward and backward compatible with any supported version of SketchUp.Saving .skp with older, unsupported versions of SketchUp is no longer available.
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Searching in SketchUp
SketchUp provides you with all the tools and features you need to start creating awesome 3D models. Knowing how to search for them is a great way to set yourself up for success.The Search tool appears by default on the left side of the Getting Started toolbar.
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Shortcuts
One of the best ways to model efficiently is by using keyboard shortcuts for the commands you use most often. The Shortcuts section of Preferences offers a list of every tool or command you can assign a shortcut to.
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SketchUp Compatibility Considerations
View SketchUp's supported operating systems, including macOS and Windows compatibility, unsupported virtual environments, and multi-monitor display guidelines.
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SketchUp Hardware and Software Requirements
SketchUp requires certain hardware and software specifications to install and run. These are basic requirements. You may want to use our recommended suggestions to improve performance.Note: To authorize your SketchUp subscription, you must have internet access.Supported VersionsThe following versions of SketchUp are
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Tips and Tricks
If you are just getting started with SketchUp you may not even know where to begin. To help things get moving in the right direction, we want to cover some common snags that users who are new to SketchUp may encounter, and the best way to move past them or avoid them altogether.
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Toolbars
SketchUp’s tools are sorted into several toolbars. The Getting Started toolbar is the default toolbar seen when opening a new model. All other toolbars can be activated using the View menu.In the example below we’ve activated the Standard, Styles, Large Toolset, and Warehouse toolbars.
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Using SketchUp
SketchUp is one of the most popular and easy to use 3D modeling applications in the world. We want to make sure that you are set up for success, and have already talked about a lot of ways to start off on the right foot.
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Using SketchUp in Virtual Environments
Virtualization policyIf you are using a supported version of SketchUp, using SketchUp in virtual environments is allowed as a product-specific exception to Trimble's General Product Terms.
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Using Your Mouse
Modeling in SketchUp is easy to learn but can be hard to master. One of the most common tips SketchUp pros will offer to other users who are looking to up their SketchUp game is to learn how to use a 3-button scroll wheel mouse.
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Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires any Information and Communication Technology (ICT) developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies to meet certain accessibility standards.
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