Google SketchUp is an easy to use application that willl help you learn to create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects – even space ships.
You can add details, textures and glass to your models, design with dimensional accuracy, and place your finished models in Google Earth, share them with others by posting them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies. Google SketchUp (free) is a great way to discover if 3D modeling is right for you.
SketchUp (free ) includes these tools:
￭ Drawing and modifying geometry: Polygon, FollowMe, Offset, and Intersect with Model.
￭ Construction: Dimension, Tape Measure, Protractor, Section Slice, Layers, Area & Length Calculation
Using SketchUp you can:
￭ Draw, modify, measure, rotate, and scale geometry.
￭ Place section slices to view and work on model interiors.
￭ Add pre-made textures to your models, or create new ones.
￭ Add pre-made components like trees, cars, doors and windows, and people to your models, or create new components.
￭ Soften and smooth faces.
￭ Cast real-time shadows for any location on earth.
￭ Simulate movie camera placements.
￭ Perform walk-throughs.
￭ Create presentation tours.
￭ Import 2D images (.jpg, .png, .tif, .tga, .bmp) and 3D models (.3ds, .dem, .ddf, .dwg, .dxf, .skp).
￭ Export your models to Google Earth.
￭ Export 2D images of your models (.jpg, .bmp, .png, .tif).
￭ Print your models.
￭ Create add-on programs using the Ruby programming language.
SketchUp is the 3D modeling tool for design professionals
The professional version of SketchUp empowers design professionals to explore and communicate complex design concepts.
SketchUp users have the ability to:
￭ Export models in 3DS, DWG, DXF, OBJ, XSI, VRML, and FBX file formats.
￭ Export animations and walkthroughs as MOV or AVI files.
￭ Use organic modeling (Sandbox) and Film & Stage (pre-viz) tools.
￭ Import and export GIS data.
￭ Print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution.
￭ Receive free email technical support for two years after purchase.
￭ Use the software for commercial purposes (the free version is approved for personal use only).
NOTE:
- Google SketchUp is free for personal use.
- No registration is required.
Requirements:
· 600 MHz Pentium III processor
· 128 MB RAM
· 80 MB of available hard-disk space
· Video card that is 100% OpenGL compliant
· Windows compatible pointing device
· Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
· Windows Media Player or QuickTime 5.0 and web browser for multimedia tutorial.
What's New in This Release: [ read full changelog ]
Improved support for large models:
· We overhauled SketchUp's rendering engine to make it easier to work with big models. With the right setup, operations like orbiting, zooming and drawing can be quicker and smoother in 7.1.
Photo Textures:
· Use Google Street View imagery to add real-world photo textures to your geo-located SketchUp models
Nearby models:
· Use the Component Browser to search the 3D Warehouse for buildings located near the one you're working on, then download the ones you want directly into your model. No more hunting around to find the context you need
Direct Component upload:
· Upload individual components to the 3D Warehouse without first having to save them out to separate files. Split up large city models into buildings, preserve Dynamic Component functionality and more
Import and Export COLLADA files:
· COLLADA is a 3D file format based on open standards. The data you create is yours; it shouldn't be locked inside a proprietary file type. COLLADA makes ...
Reasons why this program is marked as ad-supported:
· ADWARE INCLUDED - You can, however, UNCHECK that ADWARE at installation: Google Toolbar. You are also asked if you wish to set Google as default search engine in IE.
