SketchUp Frequently Asked Questions
In this SketchUp FAQ, we quickly answer the topics users get stuck on most. Beginners and intermediate users ask the questions below all the time. So instead of asking the same question again and again, we recommend getting a solid grasp of the answers.
We grouped the questions by topic. That way you can find the answer you need quickly. For other questions, check the links at the end of the post.
SketchUp FAQ: getting started
1) What is SketchUp?
SketchUp is a 3D drawing program. In the early days, Google ran the program. It later passed to Trimble through a sale. It is a very easy program to use. Its intuitive drawing approach lets you draw even the finest details of a design.
2) What should I do before starting a 3D program?
Before you start a 3D program, we recommend reading the guide we prepared for you. You can read our articles on this topic at ufuksen.com.
3) Are there videos for SketchUp beginners?
Yes, you can watch the beginner videos in our category in numbered order. As with any program, in SketchUp you should first learn the interface and the basic functions. This foundation directly improves your skill with the program. The links at the end of the post also take you to other videos.
SketchUp FAQ: downloads and versions
4) Where can I download SketchUp?
This is perhaps the most common question in our SketchUp FAQ. Always download the program from its official website. When this post was first published, the free version was called Make, and every version had a Make counterpart. Today you can see the current plans and the free option on the SketchUp plans page. Downloading the newer versions in particular will serve you well.
5) What are the differences between SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Make (free)?
SketchUp Pro allows file import and export and animation output. SketchUp Make, on the other hand, could not import or export these files. In return, the Make version was free. So anyone curious about the program could try it at no cost.
File size and speed: SketchUp FAQ
6) My SketchUp file is huge and keeps lagging. What should I do?
Your file may have grown because of the components you added and the images you imported. If the file starts to lag, first open Window > Model Info. Then go to the Statistics section in the list on the left and click Purge Unused.
This clears unused components and unnecessary objects from memory. As a result, the file gets smaller and drawing gets faster. Also go to Window > Styles and uncheck every edge option except Edges. For more methods, see our tips for speeding up SketchUp.
SketchUp FAQ: AutoCAD files
7) Why can’t I open an AutoCAD file in SketchUp?
First, check whether your program is the Pro version. If you use the free version, you cannot import DWG files. In the Pro version, you bring the file in from File > Import. In this window, choose DWG as the file type and import your file. For the official steps, see the CAD file import page.
8) I imported an AutoCAD file but the dimensions are off. What should I do?
When you open an AutoCAD file in SketchUp Pro, always check the units. In the File > Import window, go to Options. If you do not set the units to cm here, the drawing comes into the scene without the right scale.
9) I can’t close the faces after importing an AutoCAD file. What is the fix?
Some AutoCAD drawings may have a coordinate offset. Because the line axes do not snap to the origin, you cannot close the faces and give them depth. The easiest way around this is: look at the file from the Top view in SketchUp. Then export the drawing as DWG and import it again right away. This resets the coordinates.
SketchUp FAQ: backups and drawing to scale
10) My SketchUp file got corrupted or deleted. Can I get it back?
For this, you need to turn on the backup setting before you start drawing. In Window > Preferences, on the General tab, check Create Backup. The program then places a backup of the original file in the same folder as your drawing.
If this option was already checked, you can recover your file even if the original is deleted. But if it was not checked, unfortunately the file is gone. That is why we recommend turning the setting on today.
11) Can I draw to exact dimensions in SketchUp?
Yes, you can. First open Model Info from the Window menu. Then choose the units you will work in under Units.
12) Why should I work to scale in SketchUp?
Many new users run into odd results in their renders because they do not work to scale. For example, the door does not match the size of a person, or the furniture does not fit the room. We covered this in detail in our post on why working to scale matters.
SketchUp FAQ: ready-made models and textures
13) Where can I download ready-made models for SketchUp?
To download ready-made models, click Get Models (3D Warehouse) in SketchUp’s top menu. Type a model name in the search box to find and download models. You can also use our own site, www.sketchupfreemodel.com.
14) Where can I download ready-made models besides 3D Warehouse?
For this you can use our site, sketchupfreemodel.com. You can add the models on the site straight into your SketchUp projects.
15) Where can I download textures for SketchUp?
For more than 1000 free textures, you can use bestsketchupplugins.com/tr/textures.
SketchUp FAQ: rendering
16) Which render engine should I use with SketchUp?
We can rank the render engines that work with SketchUp by difficulty and level of detail. For getting close to a realistic image, SketchUp V-Ray comes first. When this post was first written, the other leading options were:
- Unreal Engine: a free game engine.
- Maxwell, Thea Render and Shaderlight: paid engines known for their trial versions.
- Lumion and LumenRT: paid visualization programs.
- SketchUp Vue: an option used for nature and landscape scenes.
Beyond these, there are other engines, some popular and some little known. You can find most of them both on our site and on our forum. For an up-to-date comparison, see our post on the 5 best render engines.
17) Where can I download V-Ray for SketchUp?
You can download SketchUp V-Ray from its developer Chaos, on the V-Ray for SketchUp page. On this page you can sign up and get the trial version, and you can also buy it from the same page. For other render engines, we recommend downloading them from their own official pages.
More SketchUp questions and a video
The video below gives you a quick start with SketchUp.
YouTubeYour question may not be answered in this list. For example, we covered topics such as system requirements and the program’s price separately in our SketchUp questions and answers post. And if you post your question as a comment, we will add it to the list in the next update. (The video is in Turkish; this guide walks through the key steps in English.)
