Welcome to How to SketchUp!
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of 3D modeling? Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, webtoon artist, woodworking enthusiast, or simply someone with a passion for 3D, SketchUp offers an easy-to-use tool to bring your ideas to life.
Who Am I ?
My name is Timothée, and I am a 3D modeler and SketchUp instructor.
Eight years ago, I knew nothing about SketchUp or 3D modeling, for that matter.
At that time, I worked in an artist’s studio.
Nothing too glamorous. I was a student, mainly answering the phone (which never rang).
The Call to Adventure
One day, my boss asked me, “Do you know how to do 3D modeling?”
I panicked.
I said, “Yes.”
I lied.
He said, “Okay, in that case, you need to do a 3D model of the Opéra Garnier.”
I thought to myself the same thing you would have thought in my place: “I’m screwed.”
Just a reminder, the Opéra Garnier looks like this.
Well, to reassure you, I had to make a simplified version.
But still!
I had work to do.
For two months, I worked on SketchUp all day.
And I became addicted.
It really amused my friends. I always had the “Master SketchUp” book with me. It kept me busy on the train.
Day after day, I learned how to use this software. I not only practiced what I learned for my boss but also for my own projects.
The Cold Shower
And then the big day came. I had to submit my 3D model of the Opéra.
And it was a huge disappointment.
The scenographer in charge of the project looked at it and said, “You have to redo everything.”
Damn.
I was devastated, and so was my boss.
Learning from a book and dodgy English videos on YouTube wasn’t enough.
The scenographer, a real SketchUp master, saw that 3D and I had a love affair.
I asked him to teach me.
I thought he would refuse. Would someone with a salary of over 20,000 euros a month have time to give me advice?
But he did.
I started taking on more modest 3D projects and sent him my models.
By email, he sent me his corrections.
And little by little, I improved.
The projects I was given became bigger and more ambitious.
Without realizing it, I had made it my profession. I was no longer answering the phone.
Hasta la Vista, Bye Bye
But one day, I received an email.
“We have no more work for you. We’ll contact you if we need you.”
I was out of a job. No savings to fall back on.
The bills had to be paid, so I sold everything lying around my house to get a bit of advance cash.
This gave me a little time to find a solution.
In the meantime, I took a survival job and became a waiter again. Two weeks earlier, I was working as a 3D modeler.
Harsh.
The Comeback
I had my 3D skills and a decent portfolio.
I needed to find new clients! I couldn’t go back to being a waiter…
So I started pitching on freelance platforms and began signing new contracts.
Goodbye to the waiter job and the annoying customers in Paris.
I worked for architects, decorators, scenographers, filmmakers, museums around the world, and major companies I won’t name.
Between clients, I enjoyed sharing videos on YouTube of my new models.
One of my videos, with no sound or explanations, managed to get 60,000 views.
I received questions daily.
I thought: why not create tutorials in my free time?
Gradually, I started gathering many SketchUp users online.
3D Teacher?
One day, I received an email request:
“Hi Timothée, I really like your SketchUp videos. Would you be interested in teaching classes?”
Six years after starting SketchUp, I became an instructor in architecture and film schools!
It was quite amazing when you think about it.
In training centers, I taught architects, scenographers, artists, decorators, and directors of photography.
One Blog to Rule Them All and in the Darkness Bind Them
To answer my students’ frequent questions, I launched a small blog: apprendre-sketchup.com.
Little by little, I noticed that my students weren’t the only ones visiting the blog. I went from 10 visitors a day to 100, then 200, reaching 300 visitors a day.
Everything was going perfectly. I had many freelance clients, I was teaching SketchUp, and the site was starting to take off.
The Normandy Call
But my partner was getting tired of Paris. She wanted to move back to her native Normandy.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Follow her? Or stay in Paris? After all, my life in Paris wasn’t really satisfying. But would my clients still call on my services?
So I moved to a village of 1,000 inhabitants with her.
Curiously, I continued working for my clients as a freelance, but remotely now. I had fewer clients, but the biggest ones remained loyal.
And the site kept growing.
From a Tiny Site to a Platform
I decided to dedicate my free time to its development.
I wanted to make it the go-to online learning resource for SketchUp.
Today, I can tell you that I have a peculiar lifestyle: I spend my days doing 3D modeling and, in the evening, I walk in the forest and take care of my vegetable garden.
The Apprendre SketchUp team has grown, and we are now four people working remotely. There aren’t three 3D modelers in my village, you know…
Apprendre SketchUp now has 800 visitors a day, hundreds of students, nearly 100 free articles, and hours of available training.
Apprendre SketchUp, a small blog initially intended for my students, has become a great exchange platform and a must for SketchUppers. And all of this, made in Normandy in a village of 1,000 inhabitants.
Honestly, I never could have imagined it would grow this much.
So, welcome to the adventure.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to take care of my tomato plants.
Our mission
At How to SketchUp, we’re on a mission to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to unleash your creativity in 3D. Our tutorials, blog posts, resources, and courses are carefully curated to provide you with clear, concise, and practical guidance on mastering SketchUp.
Never used 3D software before? Consider yourself in good hands.
Beginner super friendly
Our beginner-friendly approach ensures that you’ll quickly grasp the fundamentals without any prior experience holding you back. With each tutorial, we break down complex concepts into easy-to-follow steps, so you can progress with confidence and enthusiasm.
Already familiar with 3D ? Looking for a more intuitive and versatile tool? SketchUp’s user-friendly interface and robust features make it a refreshing choice for seasoned professionals and newcomers alike. Say goodbye to cumbersome workflows and hello to seamless creativity.
Join us at How to SketchUp, where your journey from novice to expert begins. Let’s unlock your creative potential and transform your ideas into stunning 3D models together.