In praise of SketchUp

 
3D modeling software can effectively help people visualize an object or structure before it's actually built, but this type of software often includes a steep learning curve and hefty price tag.  Fortunately, Google SketchUp addresses both issues. It's free (the feature-rich Pro version costs ~$500) and it has a surprisingly intuitive interface that can be mastered relatively quickly. Basically, you create a 2D object like you would in any drawing program and then you simply "push/pull" or extrude the object into 3D and suddenly you're working with 3D objects. There's a plethora of instructional video tutorials, as well as user-generated videos, that help users become proficient in limited time and without delving into user manuals. This video is the first of a 7-part series depicting the digital creation of a tiny home. SketchUp enables users to create complex models with different layers so you can, for example, examine only a building's framing by simply hiding other layers. Users can also import (or export) models from the 3D warehouse, a vast repository of everything from simple objects to entire cities modeled in SketchUp.

OK, I know what you're thinking: if SketchUp is so intuitive and I'm always yammering about a tiny home then why don't I have my own model to show here? Fair question. Rather than do a quick mockup, I plan to digitally prototype the home by building it from the ground up with digital 2x4s, sheets of plywood, etc. and using exact dimensions (similar to this video but I'm not nearly as adept). This will take some time and it requires me to carefully consider design decisions including specific dimensions. Nonetheless, I will have something to show before I start the actual build. In the meantime, if you haven't done it already, I encourage you to give SketchUp a try.