The Complete SketchUp Guide 2026

Geolocate a site by setting the address or latitude and longitude, drop a pin, and add context with terrain, elevation, and shadows to inform north orientation and sun study.

Explore site placement in sketchup by importing site traces and property lines, aligning geolocation and 2d plans, and establishing civil and architectural levels for topography and building orientation.

Organize SketchUp modeling tags by establishing layers for facade, a floor level, rail, glass, doors, vertical structure, beam structure, concrete, piles, and site grids.

activate geolocation and elevation to generate topo lines for an elevated site. build levels, intersect with the model, and create section cuts to reveal accurate 3d topography and reference ground.

Select a local zero level for site elevation and align the building with nearby topography, using a 30-foot reference to position edges.

Set up precise views in SketchUp by aligning axes with grouped objects. Create front elevation, side elevations, and overhead plans with clean scene transitions for clear design.

Create a site section in SketchUp by using a 2D plane as the cutting surface, set the active cut, and view the elevated site and geolocation to reveal house levels.

Create and differentiate levels in SketchUp by defining a 100 by 100 foot level group at zero, measure heights, and use a site section to locate upper and basement levels.

Explore program considerations for an A-frame base, address upper-level space with dormers, visualize layout, and plan site orientation, roads, and feature divisions using reference geometry.

Create a simple frame structure for a 30 by 50 footprint using 12 by 6 members at 4–6 ft on center, with a SIP panel exterior and an A-frame ridge.

Set up the base structure and base floor in SketchUp, set the floor height to 12 inches, add piles, and create a facade group with a massing layer for organization.

Create structural piles as placeholders on an untagged layer using a 24 by 24 reference, switchable between concrete and wood. Align at 10 feet and plan for a deck outside.

Set up reference levels and section cuts in SketchUp, assign L0, L1, and L2, and adjust active cuts to visualize B1 plans from level 0 to level 2.

Create and stack floor levels in SketchUp by copying down 12 feet and 24 feet up, align edges, define three levels (b0–b2) with site, planning a 4–6 inch panel facade.

Plan vertical circulation by sketching a stair system between levels, using measurements and reference points to align floors and exterior access, including stair footprint and deck connection.

Plan programming space in SketchUp using elevations to establish the six foot eight line and a three foot four inside safety zone; place casework and kitchen accordingly.

Explore how to manage light access and shading in a SketchUp model by planning façade openings, stairs, and bays, and evaluating light distribution and site adjustments.

Adjust the structure for efficient circulation by aligning copied sketches to the ground-floor footprint and refining a 24 by 24 base plan with a separate base model for site cuts.

Explore vertical circulation in SketchUp by defining levels and footprint, organizing edges with groups in the sketch layer, and modeling a sloping stair that connects upper and lower levels.

Model vertical enclosure using massing concepts. Reference site and floor-plan layers, set level one height, design roof details, glass accents, and outline structure and circulation for exteriors.

Apply intersection and subtraction in SketchUp to remove blocking site elements, refine the footprint, and manage layers for a clean, editable site model.

Discover the sandbox workflow for stamping a site in SketchUp, using footprints, stamping from a mesh, paste in place, and precise subtraction to recreate site geometry.

Model a road from topo in SketchUp by creating a base site, extruding a 3d road, applying a six-inch offset, and using boolean intersections to produce a continuous road surface.

Refine interior spaces by detailing doors, windows, and stairs, copy massing elements to match the site, and align internal and external plans to support visualization and floor-plan views.

Move misplaced items to the correct layer or floor, remove unnecessary offset, align to the right level, and sketch the road to continue modeling.

Apply exterior design planning by using levels to map upstairs and lower areas, determine deck placement for shade, and locate exterior features to connect with the road.

Plan exterior elements in sketchup by saving the model and cleaning up extra geometry. Evaluate the base level to design entry paths and access to the road below.

Model an exterior deck in sketchup by creating floors on a base orthogonal, setting level one for a 12-inch deck, and detailing an l-shaped deck with site lines.

Model the upper deck by preserving orthogonal working, organizing elements on the floor and sketch layers, and linking interior and exterior space with stairs, a deck, and balconies.

Use the side elevation to set floor-to-floor height, then model stairs in a stairs group labeled A. Use 20 steps per level with a 12-inch step, deriving height by division.

Model 3d stairs in sketchup by creating stepped groups with defined treads and lips, and aligning landings with offsets for a crisscross stair. Test within the model and manage massing.

Adjust floors and landings in SketchUp by grouping the existing floor, removing areas under the stair, and choosing between a jog or extended landing, using a stair component for clarity.

Model 3d stair stringers from a front elevation sketch in sketchup, using the underlying structure angle, creating groups, and copying 1.5 inch increments for trim and three stringers.

Create a reusable stair system in SketchUp by defining a base center stringer, converting it to a stringer set, duplicating units, and aligning floors for future exterior rails.

Plan exterior walls by aligning with the site, setting floor levels, and using a simple system for retaining walls below, with concrete or rustic materials as the project evolves.

Plan exterior wall type details by modeling a base 2 by 6 wall on the zero level, detailing exterior sheathing, weather barrier, and a 1.5 inch installation depth for siding.

Draw on a wall layer and measure eight and three eighths. Copy to save progress, and use components and exterior wall type one for a retaining wall and windows.

Select exterior materials, set the exterior type to hardy panel, and duplicate materials to create exterior finish one and interior finish one for drywall.

Plan and model a CMU exterior retaining wall in SketchUp, define wall type and thickness, add core and face options, include wiring spacing, and save dimensions to track wall types.

Model a retaining wall in SketchUp by defining exterior and interior wall types, applying stucco, setting insulation and thickness, and aligning sections with a grid.

Repair the model by aligning dimensions, enforcing orthogonality, and matching walls and floors on the base layer to ensure accurate structure throughout edits.

Create a working layer for walls by hiding nonessential elements like the elevated site and facade, then add walls modeling as the design basis and maintain a clean, organized model.

Align exterior wall geometry with the first level, add second-level walls, and verify exterior finish, then turn off shadows to view a consistent color and plan the window placement.

Plan windows and doors by selecting parametric windows from the SketchUp component library, position and size them with center lines, and subtract them from walls using booleans for clean modeling.

Check and align edges and points to ensure accuracy, then rotate objects to the correct angle and adjust base geometry as needed for clean alignment in SketchUp.

Center the extruded mass, align to the midpoint, offset eight inches, duplicate twice, then subtract intersected faces to form a flush window opening and simple wall framing.

Add a door component in SketchUp by selecting a simple glass door with skylights, centering it on the footprint, and subtracting it from the wall for a flush fit.

Explore detailing an exterior storefront by planning the exterior panel system for an A-frame, outlining cladding and whether to use storefront or curtain wall to maximize natural light.

Explore exterior panels by adjusting the facade layer, placing a structurally insulated panel six inches from the structure, extending it two feet for shade near knee wall to bring light.

Learn to subtract envelope openings in SketchUp by cutting openings from the mass, refining the facade and storefront wall, and creating inset doors and light-friendly stair towers.

Organize your SketchUp model by grouping walls into level-based elements, separate level views, and visualize level 1 storefront massing for efficient design workflow.

Plan a storefront wall by shaping a triangular a-frame and a 12-foot floor-to-floor line, and explore door choices to organize living, dining, and kitchen spaces.

Explore storefront component modeling in SketchUp by creating reusable groups and components, applying transparent materials for glass, and adjusting dimensions to build a cohesive facade.

Model upper exterior wall elements in SketchUp by configuring storefront glass patterns, center-line alignment, and modular components for clear fit and pricing takeoffs.

Model the stair tower base as a mass, subtract excess areas, and plan a glass facade with framing and a supporting structure, including a retaining wall.

Master adding and managing section planes in SketchUp to model with orthogonal cuts. Use the outliner to control visibility, duplicate and rotate sections east and west for interior views.

Model the storefront envelope by framing and glazing within a storefront system, align walls, and create a six-inch framing layout with aluminum and glass components.

Execute a final envelope edge strategy by offsetting six inches and detailing joints with an aluminum storefront, resolving edge conditions.

Fix interior clearance by updating the exterior footprint and stair landing to regain a one-foot setback. See how exterior systems, aluminum and roof, integrate with lighting and site design.

Adjust the storefront to add a door by aligning exterior panels, offsetting lines six inches, planning a seven-foot entry with a header unit and transom, and considering glazing.