Course Library
Browse our library of planning courses
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process. The first course introduces the software you’ll use to create analytical maps, 3D models, and 2D graphic designs.
Visual Simulation: Advanced Rendering in SketchUp
In this course, you'll learn to create an advanced rendering of a SketchUp site model, using a free third-party renderer called Kerkythea to design realistic lighting and shading. Then add components to your rendering in Adobe Photoshop.
Video for Planners
Video can be a highly effective tool for communicating planning issues and increasing public knowledge and participation. It's easier than ever to create videos yourself with little to no money. This video course will walk you through the three steps of creating a video: capturing the footage, creating the video with editing software, and distributing it across the web. We’ll look at examples of planning departments that have used video well, and review different content types that you can use as a model.
SketchUp for Planners - An Introduction
Get started using SketchUp, the popular, easy-to-learn 3D digital modeling program. This course provides an introduction to how planners and architects represent three-dimensional objects in two-dimensions, with step-by-step instructions for creating and using simple 3D models.