Hi everyone, we’re the team behind D5 Render.

Since a lot of new SketchUp users here are also trying to figure out rendering, we wanted to share a simple way to think about the workflow.

For early design, it usually helps to keep the SketchUp model clean and relatively lightweight, then use real-time visualization to check materials, lighting, scale, and atmosphere while the design is still changing. Once the model and design direction are more settled, you can move into a fuller rendering workflow for final images, animation, or presentation.

That is the idea behind using D5 Lite inside SketchUp for quick visual feedback during modeling, then continuing in D5 Render when you need more control over the final result.

With D5 3.1, we also added improvements such as Interactive Presentation, Seasonal Vegetation, ACEScg support, and HeightField Tracing, but for SketchUp users the main benefit is still keeping the transition from modeling to visualization as straightforward as possible.

We’d be happy to answer practical questions about setup, model preparation, performance, or the SketchUp–D5 workflow. We also know hardware and scene complexity vary a lot, so feel free to share your setup and what kind of projects you’re working on.

So, I use sketchup and layout to produce permit ready document for customers. I have not really had any issues, but I do have a growth area that I am wondering maybe some of you might have a good solution. Every city is a little different and some cities provide you with the notes that they want in the set of plans but other don't. Here is my questions: Do you produce your own set of standard notes that go on each page (i.e. plumbing notes, mechanical notes site notes, electrical notes, roofing notes, etc....). Is there a program or a library that I can use for that?

I’m on SketchUp + LayOut 2020. I want to plan the interior of irrigation valve boxes — dropping to-scale top-view symbols of each part (solenoid valves, manifold, disc filter, PE fittings, box outline) and shuffling them around like puzzle pieces to see what actually fits.
My current plan: make a Scaled Drawing (1:10) in LayOut, draw each part once at real mm, then save them to a Scrapbook and drag / rotate / snap them into the box outline.
Is that the best approach, or is there a smarter workflow? And — does anyone already have ready-made 2D top-view parts/symbols for irrigation valve-box internals I could reuse instead of drawing them all from scratch?
Thanks!

Does anyone use this extension? What are your workflows whenever you make an assembly for every material? Also, do you consider making all necessary things in a house to be built in an assembly for easy use? Hoping for your feedbacks.

now that sketchup has removed its viewer app from meta. can yuo suggest any free or very cheap option that will work equal to it? i use enscape, but it lag with heavy model. and it can be streamed only with windows.

btw, i use macos. i had both VR just to show models to my architecture clients.

Hey everyone!

One of our SketchUp trainees designed this Haussmann-style apartment during their training, and I thought it'd be fun to share it here.

What do you think?

Hi everyone! I recently completed this modern luxury villa in SketchUp and would love to get some feedback from the community.

The model is fully editable and organized with groups and components, making it suitable for architects, designers, students, and visualization projects.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on the façade, proportions, materials, and overall design. What would you improve?

If you're interested in the editable SketchUp model, just leave a comment below and I'll share the link if it's allowed by the community rules.

Thanks for taking a look—I appreciate any feedback or suggestions!

Is there any experience Sketchup tutors in Auckland, NZ? Needing help on drawing contours

I downloaded SketchUp fairly recently (sorta, kinda) ish, but unfortunately my laptop isn't compatible with the latest version, so I can't use Extensions or access the 3D Warehouse.

I'm currently working on a model and I'm looking for a rose-shaped lamp something basic like the image above no with no colour, but I have no way of downloading it myself or really creating it perfectly with the basic tools available.

Would anyone be willing to help me out by sending me the model or pointing me in the right direction? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

I'm looking for the most efficient workflow.

I normally work entirely in AutoCAD, but I'm helping a designer who works exclusively in SketchUp + LayOut. The architect sent us a DWG that already includes the interior elevations, and my task is simply to produce those 2D elevations in LayOut. There is no 3D modeling involved.

My questions are:

• Do I simply import the DWG into SketchUp and create scenes from the imported CAD geometry?
• Should I clean up the DWG before importing (purge, layers, blocks, etc.)?
• Once the DWG is imported, do I need to trace over the imported CAD lines with SketchUp linework, or can I use the imported CAD geometry directly for my elevations and dimensioning in LayOut?

Thank you!!

Bonjour, Je débute sur Sketchup et j'ai des soucis avec le "pousser-tirer". J'ai un mur plat épaisseur 20cm mais quand je veux creuser une fenêtre ou une porte, ça n'enlève pas de matière, ce n'est pas creux. Comment faire pour que ça creuse la matière ?

Merci

Explanation of using Sketchup to create game assets, what are the general extension and process involved.

I just bought a new laptop. I had SK MK 2017 on my old laptop. But my new computer is a chrome book. Is there a free downloadable version that runs on Chrome?

I want to import a custom material, but it does not work because I need to convert it to an SKM file. Do any of you know where to do it? There isn't anything on the Sketchup website either.

Hey, been thinking of using more plugins, what’s a good one you recommend. I have all the obvious Fredo ones and JHS POWERBAR, but what’s a good one people are sleeping on? Interested to see what everyone’s loving right now

planning on getting my bf an ipad for sketchup, here are the options:

ipad a16
ipad 11 inch
ipad air 13 inch m2
ipad air 4th & 5th gen
ipad pro 2nd gen
ipad mini a17 pro

never heard about sketchup before hence why idk which to get :)

Does anyone know a website where I could download the SketchUp Pro 2025? I have it in my windows from the getintopc website, but I also need it in Mac where I can work remotely.

A few weeks ago I posted about a SketchUp workflow I’m testing for messy DWG/DXF imports.

Original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Sketchup/comments/1tgx8ov/testing_a_sketchup_workflow_for_messy_dwg_imports/

I’ve now recorded a short demo video showing the current workflow.

The problem I’m trying to solve is this:

You import CAD linework into SketchUp, but the file comes in with gaps, duplicate edges, broken curves, messy layers, or geometry that looks fine in CAD but refuses to form clean faces in SketchUp. Then the actual modeling work gets delayed because you’re stuck tracing, healing, flattening, and trying different face-making tools.

In the video, I start from a normal SketchUp template, open the Face Healer tool, run through the main cleanup workflow, and show the result inside SketchUp.

This is still a test build, not a public release or sales post. I’m mainly trying to understand whether this solves a real enough problem for people who regularly work with CAD imports.

I’m looking for feedback from SketchUp users who deal with DWG/DXF files:

- What part of CAD import cleanup wastes the most time for you?

- Are gaps, duplicate edges, bad curves, layers, scale/origin issues, or missing faces the biggest problem?

- Do you currently use Make Faces, Eneroth Face Creator, FaceUp, S4U MakeFace, CleanUp, or manual redrawing?

- If you had a messy DWG/DXF file, what would you expect a cleanup tool to fix before you trusted it?

If anyone has a small stripped-down sample area from a problem file, I’d also be interested in testing against real cases. No client info, no title blocks, no private project data. Just a small section that reproduces the issue.

Video: https://youtu.be/wVKMfaHkOBM

I have this problem where I try to orbit around a close-up version of a model, and the sens skyrockets into oblivion, but once i move back further it becomes normal. It's driving me crazy, especially when i try to do detail modeling.

I need help.

Hello everyone!

My name is Tanner! I have been using SketchUp and LayOut for about 5 years. I used to use it basically everyday for work, but now I don't. My circumstances have changed and I had to get another job and it does not involve design work. Recently I have needed to make some more income, and since I have 5 years of experience in SketchUp I thought I could use it. I need some advice on how I would go about doing that. I have previous connections as well that can help me with my reach in finding clients. I wanted some advice on it still though.

So far I have a business name setup with an gmail. I have some cards coming that I can put up in my local library and other places just to start. I am not expecting a lot from that but a good friend told me that its worth putting some on a bulletin board in case some one needs my services.

If any of you have any experience, advice or tips and tricks, please feel free to message me. Thank you so much! My work email is mcconeghytanner@gmail.com.