SketchUp tutorials for complete beginners? where to start?

SketchUpEssentials on YouTube is an excellent starting point. They have really well-organized tutorials that walk you through everything from absolute basics to more advanced techniques. Since you're working with woodworking, their furniture and cabinet modeling tutorials might be particularly useful for you.

Also important to know - find out if your new job uses the free web version or the Pro desktop version, as there are some significant differences between them. You should tailor your learning to whichever version you'll be using.

Here's the link to their channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thesketchupessentials/playlists

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) has some really good structured courses if you have access. Many public libraries offer free LinkedIn Learning accounts with your library card, so check that out. Their courses are well-organized and you can follow along at your own pace.

Trimble (the company that makes SketchUp) also has their own set of tutorials called "Skill Builders" on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bndkJaV8A7R2t970OmHY6kPGJwTfGP2

Since you'll be using it for woodworking, I'd focus on:

1. Basic navigation and interface
2. Creating and modifying basic shapes
3. Groups and components (SUPER important for woodworking)
4. Dimensions and measurements
5. Basic joinery techniques

One week??? Good luck with that 🍀

There's a medicine cabinet tutorial at mastersketchup.com that I found incredibly helpful when I was starting out. It covers all the basic tools, and importantly, it teaches you about groups vs. components, which is essential knowledge. Here's the link: https://mastersketchup.com/sketchup-tutorial-medicine-cabinet-walkthrough/

Learning groups and components early on will save you HOURS of frustration. Trust me on this.

Thanks for all the suggestions! This is really helpful. I checked with my employer and I'll be using the Pro version. I've already started watching SketchUpEssentials videos and they're great.

I'm learning SketchUp too! Following this thread. 👍