Kids always love working on the computer, but they won't stick with a project unless they're having fun. The models in these books are fun to make - they are designs we've seen kids invent on their own in school, and while they work with friends. What could be cooler than a house shaped like a rainbow, or designing your own bedroom with framed posters of your favorite singers?

Shhh, these books are also EDUCATIONAL.

While your kids are busy creating their 3D designs, they are absorbing many of the design concepts taught to architects, engineers, mathematicians, and artists. Teachers report that SketchUp helps develop both analytical and creative skills. (But you don't have to tell that to your kids.) If your kids are on the computer anyway, give them something to do that's both fun and intellectually stimulating.

Kids like "bite-size" chunks.

These books are not intimidating. ModelMetricks books range between 100 and 170 half-size pages. GeomeTricks books range between 40 and 100 pages. Each page is full of color pictures and short, easy-to-follow directions. A book can easily share space with a computer on a desk, plus it will lie nearly flat when open.

Kids work independently.

Teachers and students who have used our materials say they are great for self-learning; they are very easy to use with little or no guidance. Each step of each project is accompanied by a picture, plus a very detailed explanation of what to do and why to do it. Your kids can get started immediately on Page 1, and within minutes will have their first design. 

C o l o r is Cool.

SketchUp is colorful, and so are our books. Each step of each project has a detailed, full-color, eye-catching picture of what your screen should look like. Large, bright arrows are used to point out icons, window options, and whatever else is important to notice in a picture.

Progress builds skills and self-esteem

ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks books are divided into series, which start out with the basics and work up to advanced projects. Working through a series of project books like this serves two purposes. First, the books proceed in a logical order that builds up knowledge in stages. Second, it gives kids a great sense of accomplishment by completing one level before moving on to the next.

Review pages reinforce.

After you work through 30 or 40 pages, it's easy to forget what you just did. A little reminder helps immensely to reinforce what you've just learned. At the end of each ModelMetricks chapter is a bullet-item list of every new concept and tool introduced in that chapter.

Projects are great for all ages.

Kids can start with the ModelMetricks Basics Series as soon as they can read and use a computer mouse. And once they've used SketchUp a bit, they can work through the harder ModelMetricks and GeomeTricks projects. This doesn't mean that a 15-year old will find our materials too "young." Older kids can master SketchUp using the same approach, they will just take their knowledge farther and faster. (Adults love the books, too, even if they don't admit it to their kids.)

Your girls will love it, too.

As a woman engineer, 3DVinci founder Bonnie Roskes holds gender equity close to her heart. These books are perfect for sparking your girls' interest in geometry, computer modeling, and 3D design. When we see SketchUp in action in schools, the girls are just as engaged (if not more) as the boys. Girls and boys can each produce incredibly creative designs that reflect both geometric accuracy as well as personal tastes. All of our projects are gender-neutral, and both boys and girls can easily add their own touches and ideas to their projects.

 SketchUp paves the way to more advanced skills. 

SketchUp design skills lead to a natural interest in more advanced topics, such as 3D animation, geometry and higher-level math, physics, and robotics. In our increasingly technological world, acquiring these skills early gives kids enormous advantages in higher education and career choices.