3D Basecamp 2018: What You Missed

October 31, 2018

Aaron Dietzen

It was apparent the second you walked in the door that you were at the greatest place on earth.

3DBC... in 3D!

Well, it finally happened: 3D Basecamp 2018 has ended. After nearly a year of scheduling sessions, ordering swag, and swapping emails with the venue staff, the best week of the year has come and gone… and what do we have to show for it? Plenty!

Full disclosure: I am totally biased and I love all things Basecamp. But, I can say that this year’s event in Palm Springs was something very special. Those of you who were there know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you who couldn’t make it, let me fill you in on a few things that made this Basecamp so amazing (and if you want to be in the know about Basecamp 2020, sign up for event updates.)

Incredible Content

A packed room of 3D Basecampers absorbing SketchUp knowledge

It was pretty much impossible to NOT learn something.

At its core, 3D Basecamp is—and always will be—a learning event. People of all experience levels and backgrounds come to Basecamp with the intention of learning and sharing SketchUp skills.

This year, we provided more learning opportunities than ever before. Over 70 presenters showcased their workflows—from architecture and interior design, to prop design and low-poly modeling. This accounted for over 120 hands-on workshops, presentations, and panels. It was an amazing display of practical knowledge. You couldn’t go a day without learning something new.

Learning for All

A SketchUp product manager hops in to help a SketchUpper get oriented around the axes.

Some of the best trainers weren't even the speakers!

We did our best to recruit presenters who would cover a broad set of topics and present information appealing to all experience levels. We had everything from SketchUp 101 classes to advanced topics like organic modeling and rendering in SketchUp. As hard as it is to imagine, we had a number of new users come to Basecamp (48% of attendees, to be exact). Some attendees had never used SketchUp before they stepped into the intro workshop!

And that was only the formal learning opportunities! This year’s Basecamp had even more spaces for attendees to get together and share what they do. Whether it was sharing a modeling tip in the Knowledge Cafe or explaining their workflow at the Trail Mixer happy hour, attendees could not help but share their SketchUp passion.

3D Basecampers relax around a faux campfire during an evening happy hour.

Chilling by the camp fire... in the 101 degree afternoon.

Amazing Community

Users dance the night away during the Desert Glow: Party in the Palms event.

Wednesday night's Desert Glow: Party in the Palms event was amazing!

Sure, 3D Basecamp is the best way/place/time to learn SketchUp. But it’s also a place to make memories with other passionate creatives.

Modelers test their skills in a fierce game of modeling-Pictionary, a.k.a. SketchUp Shootout!

Of course, it would not be 3D Basecamp without the SketchUp Shootout, our Pictionary-esque 3D modeling challenge.

We tried to keep the learning-relaxation ratio balanced with happy hours and parties. We set the stage, and wow, did our attendees show up! Whether playing a fierce game of giant Jenga, testing their modeling skills during the SketchUp Shootout, or dancing the night away with a live band, our users took bonding to whole new heights.

A flamingo-dressed stilt walker greets guests at the Desert Glow party.

Yes... there was a stilt walker dressed as a flamingo at the party. Why do you ask?

And, these were just the big events where our community came together. The entire week attendees organically got together for drinks or dinner.

It's just not that often when “users” take over a “user conference,” but that’s just what SketchUppers did.

Next time?

If you did not get a chance to attend this year, the good news is that we are doing it again! Well… not until September 2020 in Vancouver, Canada… but it WILL happen again and we would love to see you there!