SketchUp Drone Modeling Course
In our SketchUp drone modeling course, you learn to model a non-architectural, technical object piece by piece. In this post, we share the first lesson of the series and the eleven-lesson playlist. We also explain how we approach parts like the body, arms and propellers. You’ll see how symmetry and components make the job easier.
We explained why we made the series, and showed the reference model, in our drone modeling course post. This post focuses more on the modeling method. Read both together and you’ll get much more out of the series.
SketchUp drone modeling 01 video
The first lesson of the series runs about nine minutes. The link also opens the playlist with all eleven lessons. So after the first lesson, you can carry on where you left off.
YouTubeBreaking a technical object into parts
At first glance, a drone looks like a complex object. But once you break it into parts, the job gets much simpler. There is usually a central body, arms coming out of the body, motors at the ends of the arms, and propellers. Each part is made of simple geometry. (The video is in Turkish; this guide walks through the key steps in English.)
So before you start modeling, sort the object into groups on paper. Then model each group in turn. That way you know what to do when, and you keep the model organized. And when you make a mistake in one part, you only fix that group.
The general method for SketchUp drone modeling
The general method we use for technical objects has a few steps. You can follow the same order in your own models:
- Start the body from a profile: Draw the top view of the body and raise it with Push/Pull.
- Work with one half: For symmetric objects, model only half.
- Mirror it: Copy the half model and flip it with the Scale tool using a value of -1.
- Make the arms components: Model a single arm and multiply it by rotating or mirroring.
- Add the details: Leave the motors, propellers and screws for last.
The big advantage of components is that a change you make to one arm shows up on every arm. You save time and keep the model consistent.
Curved surfaces and a smooth body
Drone bodies often have soft lines and curved surfaces. Building these surfaces with SketchUp’s basic tools takes some effort. This is where some extensions help a lot. For example, there are extensions that soften a boxy body into a smooth surface.
If you’re curious about this method, take a look at our Subdivide and Smooth lesson. To download extensions safely, use the official Extension Warehouse store.
How much detail should each part get?
In technical models, it is tempting to model every screw and every cable. But that makes the file heavy for no reason. So first decide where the model will be used. In a scene where the drone is far from the camera, the main lines are enough. In a close-up product image, the details come to the front.
As a general rule, model the large parts like the body and arms with care. For mid-size parts like the propellers and motors, pick a balanced level of detail. For screws and small raised details, use a texture if needed. That way you get a model that is both realistic and light.
The scale problem with small objects
Small objects like a drone often run into one problem. SketchUp struggles to create very small faces, and some faces go missing. A practical fix is to draw the model much larger than its real size. For example, you draw the model ten times larger and shrink it with the Scale tool when you’re done.
Also keep the segment count of arcs and circles balanced on small parts. Too many segments make the file heavy. Too few make round parts like propellers and motors look faceted.
Rendering after SketchUp drone modeling
Once the model is finished, material choice matters in the render stage. Drone bodies usually have matte or semi-gloss plastic, and the motors have metal surfaces. You show this difference with the reflection setting in the materials. A plain, studio-style background also shows off technical objects best.
Before you render, orbit the model and check it from different angles for gaps or overlaps between parts. In technical objects, these small mistakes stand out right away in a close-up.
From here, you can continue with our SketchUp Gazebo Modeling Course post and then move on to our SketchUp Mosque Modeling Course post. To see every topic in one place, check our SketchUp tutorial guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many lessons are in the SketchUp drone modeling series?
The series has eleven lessons. The first lesson runs about nine minutes.
Which tool do I use to mirror the model?
You use the Scale tool. When you scale the model by -1 along one axis, you get a mirrored copy.
Why do faces go missing on small parts?
SketchUp struggles with very small faces. Drawing the model at a large scale and shrinking it at the end solves the problem.
