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Week 1

Introduction to 3D Modeling & SketchUp Basics

What is 3D modeling, and how do I navigate SketchUp?

Welcome!

Have you ever wondered how video game worlds, animated movies, or new products are created before they exist in real life?

This week, you'll take your first step into 3D modeling — the skill behind games, movies, architecture, and even medical prosthetics. You'll open SketchUp for Schools, learn how to move around in 3D space, and build your very first 3D object.

No experience needed. Just curiosity and a mouse!

What You'll Learn This Week

  • What 3D modeling is and why it matters in real life
  • How to navigate SketchUp using Orbit, Pan, and Zoom
  • How to use the Rectangle and Push/Pull tools to build a 3D box

Let's Begin

15 minutes

1. Think About It: How Are Game Worlds Made?

Watch the short clip your teacher shows. Then think about these questions:

  • How do you think this world was created?
  • Where does it exist before it appears on screen?
  • What other things might be designed in 3D before being made?
Every 3D object in a game or movie starts as a 3D model — a digital object built on a computer.
▶ Watch the Video Clip
15 minutes

2. 3D Modeling in Real Life

3D modeling isn't just for games. Look at how it's used in the real world:

  • Architecture: Buildings designed before construction
  • Engineering: Car parts tested virtually
  • Medical: Custom prosthetics for patients
  • Products: Phone cases, furniture, toys
3D modeling lets people design, test, and improve things before spending money to build them. By Week 7, you'll design your own model that solves a real problem.
Fun fact: 3D modeling is also used in movies to create characters, props, and entire worlds that don't exist in real life.
20 minutes

3. Open SketchUp for Schools

Open SketchUp for Schools in your browser. Follow along as your teacher points out these parts:

  • Main Menu (top) — Model name, Undo, Redo, Save
  • Toolsets (left/toolbar) — Where your tools live
  • Panels (right side) — Entity Info, Materials, Instructor, 3D Warehouse
  • Measurements Box (bottom right) — Where you type exact sizes
Click each area so you know where it is. If you get lost, open the Instructor panel — it explains whatever tool you're using.
20 minutes

4. Learn to Move Around: Orbit, Pan, Zoom

Before you build anything, you need to move around in 3D space. Try each tool:

Tool What It Does Shortcut
Orbit Rotate around your model — like walking around a statue O
Pan Move your view left, right, up, or down H
Zoom Move closer or farther from your model Z
Zoom Extents Instantly see your whole model Shift + Z

Mouse shortcuts (much faster):

  • Orbit: Hold the middle mouse button and drag
  • Pan: Hold middle + left mouse button and drag
  • Zoom: Scroll the wheel

Your practice task:

  1. Orbit all the way around the object
  2. Pan to the left
  3. Zoom in on one corner
  4. Press Shift + Z to see everything again
Using a trackpad? Orbit can be tricky. Ask your teacher for the trackpad shortcut.
25 minutes

5. Build Your First 3D Object

This is the magic moment — turning a flat shape into a 3D object.

Step 1: Draw the base
  • Select the Rectangle tool
  • Click once to start, click again to finish
  • Want exact size? Type 5m, 3m and press Enter
Step 2: Push/Pull into 3D
  • Select the Push/Pull tool (or press P)
  • Click the rectangle face — it becomes shaded
  • Move your cursor up — the box grows
  • Click to set the height
  • Want exact height? Type 2m and press Enter
Step 3: Explore
  • Orbit around your new box
  • Press Shift + Z to center it
  • Try Push/Pull again to make it taller or shorter
You just made a 3D object from a 2D drawing. This is exactly how every 3D model starts!
5 minutes

6. Save Your Work

  1. Click the model name at the top of the screen
  2. Rename it: week#-studentid-firstname-lastname
  3. Click Save
  4. Check that it appears in your Google Drive
Ask a neighbor to confirm your file saved correctly. Saving now means you won't lose your work next week.

Check Yourself

Before you finish, make sure you can do all of these:

  • I can orbit around my model
  • I can pan my view
  • I can zoom in and out
  • I can draw a rectangle
  • I can push/pull it into a 3D box
  • I saved my file correctly

Key Words to Remember

Term What It Means
3D ModelA digital object with height, width, and depth
AxisThe three lines (red, green, blue) that show direction in 3D space
OriginThe center point where all three axes meet
OrbitRotate your view around the model
PanMove your view side to side or up and down
ZoomMove closer or farther from the model
Push/PullExtend a flat face into 3D (or cut into a model)

Quick Check

Answer these in your head or on paper:

  1. What does the Push/Pull tool do?
  2. Name one real-world job that uses 3D modeling.
  3. Which shortcut lets you see your whole model instantly?

Optional Homework

Coming Next Week

Week 2: Drawing Tools & Precision Modeling — You'll learn to draw accurately with the Line, Offset, and Circle tools, and build a simple table.

Teacher Instructions

  1. Follow the filename format strictly: week#-studentid-firstname-lastname. Points will be deducted if not followed.
  2. Late projects will be accepted with a corresponding point reduction.
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