SketchUp TutorialsRSS

SketchUp is a free 3D-modeling program, and Robert W. Lang, executive editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine, is an expert at using the program and at teaching it. This woodworking blog will help you learn how to use SketchUp to create models of your woodworking plans. It’s a great way to “build” a project and work out the design, details and joinery before you take tools to wood – that way, you can head to the workshop with a solid plan and the information you need to build any project with confidence.

Below are our most-recent articles about SketchUp. Here are some quick links to our key SketchUp Pages.

Resources for Learning SketchUpWhat is Google SketchUp?SketchUp Q&ASketchUp Models

SketchUp Shop Class on CD Available Now

My new video, Shop Class: SketchUp for Woodworkers Part 1, Getting Started has been a big hit, the on demand downloadable version is the number one selling item in our store, and I’m happy to announce that this same class is available on CD. If you’re on a slow internet connection, don’t like to wait … Read more »

SketchUp for Woodworkers: Review and FAQ

Last week we released the first of two SketchUp “Shop Classes” in the BookShop. In the first class, “SketchUp for Woodworkers Part 1: Getting Started,” Robert W. Lang teaches you the essential techniques to use SketchUp for a variety of woodworking applications. Many have already purchased the on-demand video download and others have ordered the … Read more »

SketchUp Shop Class Now In Session

We’ve been teasing our blog readers for a couple weeks now about our new online “Shop Class on Demand” for SketchUp and I’m happy to announce that it it now up and running in our store. If you’ve been wanting to learn how to use SketchUp, or tried it but gave up in frustration, this … Read more »

SketchUp Shop Class Coming Soon

Along with updating the look of the magazine, we’ve been busy working on some new ways to share knowledge. We’re big fans of the free modeling program SketchUp and in the next week or so you’ll have the chance to join me in a two-part online class. And a few weeks after the classes are … Read more »

New Models in Our SketchUp Collection

The Popular Woodworking Magazine collection of 3D SketchUp models has grown to include 168 models. We’ve been using SketchUp to plan our work for a couple years now, and it has made us all better and more accurate woodworkers. Shop time is precious and it’s nice to head to the shop with the wealth of … Read more »

SketchUp Collection and the Official SketchUp Blog

I’ve always felt a bit guilty about our collection of SketchUp models on Google’s 3D Warehouse. It is such a great resource for our readers (and us) that it doesn’t seem possible that it’s free. This resource is available to anyone with a web browser, we don’t have to pay for it and you don’t … Read more »

Building Strategies Part 1 Making a Cut List

The major effort involved in building a piece of furniture is problem solving and establishing a sequence for the work. After that, it’s almost all cutting to a line and repairing the places where I missed cutting to the line. I like to plan my work because I don’t always make good design or engineering … Read more »