Book Companion Pages

The most complete reference for anyone using SketchUp, fully updated to cover the latest features, with a new chapter on drawing preparation using LayOut 

This newly updated and revised Third Edition of Architectural Design with SketchUp covers all the topics that students and professionals use daily, such as 3D modeling, extensions, photorealistic rendering, and drawing preparation. It features more than fifty easy-to-follow tutorials that first brush up on the basics of the program and then cover many advanced workflows (including digital fabrication and scripting), offering informative text and full-color illustrations side-by-side to clearly convey the techniques and features any reader needs to excel.

The leading guide to SketchUp for architects, interior designers, construction professionals, makers, and many others, Architectural Design with SketchUp is the key resource for students using SketchUp in a course or studio, and professionals looking for a thorough desk reference that covers the latest SketchUp features.

Topics covered in Architectural Design with SketchUp include:

• 3D modeling and design approaches with SketchUp, such as conceptual massing, geo-based modeling, component-based assemblies, point-cloud- and script-based modeling. 
• Creating stunning photorealistic renderings and presentation-ready illustrations from your SketchUp models and using LayOut for 2D graphics and construction-documents. 
• Using extensions to enhance SketchUp’s core toolset and provide advanced functionality. 
• Making physical objects from your designs with common digital fabrication tools, such as 3D printing, CNC fabrication, or laser cutting. 
• Differences between SketchUp Pro, web, and iPad versions, and integrating SketchUp into workflows with other BIM software and various Trimble products and services, such as Trimble Connect. 

This Third Edition of Architectural Design with SketchUp includes hundreds of full-color images that show SketchUp features, many example projects, and cookbook-style approaches to common tasks, which is supplemented with additional tutorials and sample files on a companion web site.

ISBN: 978-1-394-16113-3 (print), 978-1-394-16115-7 (e-book)
Published: July 2023
Pages: 464

You can now get this book from:

and many other sellers. E-Book and Kindle versions are also available.

Reviews and Testimonials

“This is a great reference book for different SketchUp workflows.”

Justin Geis, The SketchUp Essentials

“I recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who really wants to be able to make SketchUp do everything it’s capable of doing. It’s clearly written, well-illustrated and comprehensive.”

Aidan Chopra, SketchUp Evangelist on the SketchUp Blog

“Overall, Alex’s book on Architectural Design with SketchUp is a winner. Well structured, illustrated and most of all easy to read and understand. While the overall theme is based in architecture, the techniques can be applied to any discipline and the wide range of topics covered are excellently delivered.”

Review by the SketchUcation folks

“Architectural Design with SketchUp is a must have for any level of designer, artist, student or architect.”
“I am finally in the possession of a salient, perhaps the best manual on SketchUp!”
“Purchased literally the day it was available… and it just gets better and better in its deep information and value. Hands down “the” best SketchUp publication in some time.”

Reviews on Amazon

On this Site

This section of the site serves as companion to the book “Architectural Design with SketchUp”. It provides updated links, free resources, downloadable SketchUp files, videos, corrections, and more. Feel free to browse it by chapter while you are working with the book (using the links below). In addition, there is some sample content, a page on changes and errata, and a collection of freebies.