Introduction to Google SketchUp

Must compliment Aidan, Laura & Chris for this book, the Second Edition.I am a practicing architect. Own firm, specializes in Architectural Interior Design; we fancy our team at 3DADS ([...]) to be somewhat advanced/ expert level workers on Sketchup since we use it profusely for our bread-and-butter, presentations to clients of all strata and genre, producing work on Sketchup in conjunction with rendering plugins such as SU Podium & Vray, and various advanced modeling plugins (Fredo/TIG/Thom/Dale and the other masters...)Frankly I picked this book up reluctantly, looking at the title reading "Introduction"..., compelled only after having viewed some of Aidan's Basecamp Videos on SU at Youtube, and was intrigued and impressed by his powerful elocution and witty sense of humour. I bought it despite the "beginner" heading suggestive it being intended for beginner-students, along with other books purchased from Amazon on sketchup by Daniel Tal and Alexander Schreyer.While the other books too are very good and EXCELLENT value for money, I truly am compelled to write a review for this one in particular. The book is like a packet full of surprise revelations (even to users such as us, the 'self proclaimed advanced users' of SU if you would have it); It not only explains the tools, methods, processes of using sketchup's tools in the various ways they can be, & are used ubiquitously (sans plugins), but goes well beyond the fundamentals/basics, (and my 5*s for this!), by providing advanced info on ways of HOW NOT work with and HOW NOT to use the workflows and tools in the "not so useful" (or worst) possible ways (which we at our office had been doing for years together and simply never realized so). We must have wasted days in modeling Buildings & other objects on SU in the (worst possible workflows) & ways they shouldn't be done! And with Aidan explaining it all in his inimitable, humerous but witty style (Should see him speaking at the Basecamp summits), this veritably is 5 star material and an extremely good buy even for professionals!Aidan has a way to tell something that simply is his, and one which ties you up to listen to what he has to say, & while he takes you into mastering a process, tip or trick, his sidenotes on "Tips from Professionals", "Pathways...", "In the REAL World.." keep you reading on and hooked-up like you're reading a Harry Potter book. The tome reads like a lightweight novel full of hidden tips-tricks-treats which you'd not normally get to discover even after years of advanced sketchup use.While it says "Introduction" to Google Sketchup, I'd rate it good for all levels, from beginners to experts. I will recommend this blindfolded for everyone working/ intending to work professionally on sketchup.Good work Aidan & team ! Keep it coming !Ar. Nitin Sharma"Macho3001" on sketchucation, Vray & Podium Forums

I'm finding what I wanted to know with ease, and the spectrum of info it covers is very good. Plus the cost of the book is a better deal than your average class.

Great introductory book. Covers all the basics in a clear way. The included quizzes and exercises are a great help.

This book is a great learning tool. It's easy to read and understand. I would reccommend this book to anyone, student or not to invest in this book if they want to learn SketchUp.

This is a good overview for novices to 3-D rendering, but perhaps a little too advanced for someone who is not already pretty program literate.

The book shows how to use sketchup even if you have never used it before. But if you already have a knowledge of sketchup, you'll find yourself reviewing your skills with this book. The book came on time. I'm pretty much satisfied it.

WANT TO USE layout TO MAKE SITE PLAN. FOCUS SEEMS TO BE ON sketch-up. need more examples and link to web

Admittedly a complete beginner, I am reading an earlier version. I am into the third chapter and find the book to be excellent so far. Most of all, I find that Aidan has an exquisite sense of topic-sequencing. Describing something like Sketchup can be so complex and yet he communicates complex ideas extremely efficiently by saying just the right things. I will read on and update the review, but was so impressed that I felt compelled to wrtite a review at this early stage of my progress through this book.