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Sell Signs Brilliantly with Sketchup

Sell Signs Brilliantly with Sketchup

SketchUp makes great tools for 3D drawings – the perfect combination of power and simplicity. SketchUp users are architects, builders, teachers, makers, engineers and sign designers. With their efforts, the world is more impressive, more “human-centric” and safer. Each contributes to the built environment and our understanding of how to make things better.

Especially for sign designers, everything is part of visual communication: White space, letter height, visibility, materials, construction, conspicuity. These are the ingredients, the “secret sauce,” in the genetic code of every sign. Those sign makers who use SketchUp know that visual communication is everything. They use SketchUp to craft the most compelling sign, pylon, monument, building façade they can imagine. They can craft the impressive design unfettered, and win more bids.

Show and Tell?

Anyone who produces a sign design for client (or city) approval knows that a beautiful and accurate rendering of the final product goes a long way to winning the job. Yet, show and tell can be problematic. Most clients are looking at the job in an AutoCAD-like space, or worse, viewing on their cell phones. Even simple 3D lettering on a building can look very 2D through Illustrator –> PDF.

SketchUp is a commercial software for 3D modeling by Trimble. It brings together the best of leading programs like Rhino, 3ds Max, and AutoCAD into one package. It is a versatile, and relatively easy to use tool, used across a wide range of industries such as design and architecture.

As you might expect, the full versions, Sketchup Pro or Sketchup Studio, fall under an annual subscription model. Note, too, that there is are fully functional free trial versions of the 3D modeling software for you to test before you buy it. Moreover, Trimble offers a free version of SketchUp with the full feature-set to students. Another option is called SketchUp Free. A slimmed-down version that runs entirely in the cloud. It was November of 2017 when the free, cloud-based version was introduced. Sketchup’s community forum explains, “As SketchUp evolves, our free software is shifting from desktop to web, where we think more people will be able to access, learn, and master 3D drawing.”

Check out the free desktop version, which is called SketchUp Make. While the latest version is 2017, it works for everyone who is a fan of desktop versions. The Make program offers the functionality of the free, cloud-based version. Essentially, SketchUp Free (ore Make) is ideal for beginners, while SketchUp Pro is for more technical applications. The former provides all the commands you can use for 3D modeling, and the latter provides additional functions like printing in scale or exporting/importing to/from CAD software.

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One cool feature of Pro, when you are ready, is the ability to create a video of your 3D sign project. YOU control the animation, the “walk through,” and the end result plays well on mobile, laptops, and of course full-screen HD displays.

Becoming Brilliant with SketchUp

Our own School of Sign Arts FREE video series, a 4-part introduction (the essential tips and tricks to create your own models in SketchUp ) plus 12 videos ( deeper dives into special features) from SketchUp will allow you to capitalize on the many models, landscapes, buildings, sign models and “things” (such as trees, flower beds) to give YOUR sign proposal an edge. Upon completion of the exercises in this beginner’s guide to SketchUp, you will know the essential tips and tricks to create your own models in SketchUp.

So, let’s get started and learn the basics of this great 3D modeling software. In four easy steps, you will be producing refined site plans with 3D visuals you have exported from SketchUp!

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First: Download the software if you haven’t already. Click the button to see all download options, pick Make, or your plan for Pro or Education. Follow the steps, using a valid email address (required) and fill in the necessary information. All versions, including SketchUp Make 2017, are available here:

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Second: SketchUp allows you to select the workspace you want to use when you open the application. The SketchUp window shows three tabs: Learn, License, and Template. The Template tab displays a list of different presets to select from, configured to support the type of model you will be doing. Choose a Template, such as Simple Template – Imperial, and then click the button in the bottom right side of the window which says, Start using SketchUp.

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The presets/templates vary in backgrounds and edge styles – which only affects the visual aspect of your model (i.e. background color and line thickness), type of model to be done (i.e. landscaping, interiors etc.) and measurement systems (Imperial or Metric). I recommend that you explore these templates.

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Third: Simplify your menu options. On your first SketchUp workspace, you will see default toolbars on the upper part of your screen. Now click on View > Toolbars.

A window will appear with a list of toolbars. Starting out, I recommend you use the Large Tool Set. This toolbar contains most of the tools you need to build a 3D model. Check the Large Tool Set. I recommend you uncheck the other toolbars to avoid confusion.

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Fourth: Let’s start making something! If you are like us, you will soon be addicted to this new, high-quality, intuitive design tool! Click below to visit our video library section for SketchUp tutorials.

Start learning, watch our series of four introductory tutorials, and a further 12 Sketchup video tutorials — all for free! You will be amazed how fast you get up to speed with this incredibly fun, very versatile and powerful program!

About Trimble

Positioning-centric information is changing the way people, businesses and governments work throughout the world. By applying Trimble’s advanced positioning solutions, productivity increases and safety improvements are being realized.