Google SketchUp Cookbook

This was one of the best books written on Googles 3D design program. SketchUp was one of Google's amazing offshoots. The fact that they made a fully functioning version available for Free and then staffed the development team with high quality Google programmers was rather out of character for current day American corporations. Their actions and the open source software attracted a huge following and many additions to the program that made it useable and useful for the common person. The Cookbook addressed a number of operating issues in a different, often clearer, manner than other how-tos. For most of us amateur 3d designers the Cookbook was an essential part of the library.Sketchup has now been sold to a private company that has put out a new version (2013) and altered somewhat the nature of its free version of the software. The last version that Google published was version 8 and the Cookbook was written to deal with an earlier version than that. I don't know that it has been revised and am pretty sure that it has not been revised to deal with 2013. There have been some complaints that the new version 2013 should really have been labeled 8.1 because the changes, in their opinion, were not sufficient to warrant a new version number. However, some of the changes are more significant than others. Apple, which a favorite platform on which to run Sketchup, also made changes to its operating system Mountain Lion that impact how the computer deals with certain files. Like all things in technology, the how to books need to be up to date and this one may not be. The interested buyer should check first to see if the version being sold is corrected to deal with the new version 2013. Older versions are no longer being supported by either Google or the new company.If the book has been revised to deal with 2013 specifically, I would buy the new edition myself. She does a wonderful job with the subject

If you've been trying to learn Sketchup with the on-line tutorials and just aren't getting anywhere, look no further than this book. It does assume you know some basic Sketchup functionality (like how to use the orbit tool), and then proceeds with dozens of examples in a stepwise manner. The examples start with relatively simple concepts, and then advance to more complex models, often assuming that you will remember concepts from earlier models (a good thing in my opinion - but sometimes hints are provided to jog the memory - and you can always flip back if needed). This is one of those few computer books that delivered just what I needed.

This is a rudimentary explanation of functions that can be found in Sketchup help menu or in their web site training material, all of which is freely available. Consequently, after reading the many five star reviews and ordering this book I found it to be a huge disappointment.Published in 2009 this book has not aged well and feels like a relic from Sketchup 5.With Sketchup's 8 new features and the many plug-ins, it's capabilities have expanded dramatically since 2009.Here are some notable developments:- SketchupPro 8 now has solid tools, very important for efficient modeling- There are many free plug-ins like BezierSpline or Jiontpushpull or Toolsonsurface which are essential for most modeling- Plus many polished pay-for plug-ins are now available, such as Artisan's powerful organic modeling tools or the many rendering plug-ins which transform Sketchup far from it rudimentary push-pull roots.All of these new developments could benefit from a cookbook approach but you will not find them here.For the material covered by this book you can find it at Sketchups web site in the self paced tutorials which guides you inside Sketchup using scenes(pages)to learn step by step the concepts of modeling. Then for more insight in technique or practical recipes, you should move on to the latest and greatest at SketchUcation.com and study the many examples there.

I have SketchUp Pro 2015. I have been using SketchUp since Pro 7. This book has taught me more than other books I own on SketchUp.

I knew a little bit about SketchUp from playing with it, but I wanted to learn how to use it as a real tool. This book is a great way to learn from the basics to more advanced subjects, with a clear descriptive narrative and illustrations for each step along the way. All the sample models are easily obtained from 3D Warehouse and everything is well referenced. Highly recommended!

Great book. Could have included more working examples.

Great book, full of usefull exersizes and tips

I use this book for teaching in my SketchUp class