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SketchUp Hooks Up With Google Earth

Posted by Zonk on from the happy-couple dept.

zmarties writes "Having recently bought the company and 3d design product SketchUp, Google has now taken the next step of releasing a free personal version of the SketchUp software. Currently available for Windows XP, with a Mac version 'coming soon', the program allows for simple drag and drop design of 3d models - which amongst other uses can then be displayed in Google Earth. The pro version remains available for commercial use, with lots more features. Google are also introducing 3D Warehouse, designed as a repository for 3d models created in the program. The models can be viewed in Google Earth via a network link, so you can see geolocated models as you browse the world, rather than having to explicitly download them. Google has pre-populated the warehouse with a number of models which range from complete complex buildings, such as the Taj Mahal, through to individual design elements such as traffic lights and furniture."

3 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Blender is Already Free by plaidhacker · · Score: 5, Informative

    I recently wrote a KML (Google Earth) export script for Blender.org. Blender is certainly less intuitive than SketchUp, but its undeniably more powerful, as well as open source. It supports importing and exporting a number of other industry standards, so you could use it to transform models you already have.

    Blender KML Export
    Blender.org

  2. Anyone tried Wings? by Peepsalot · · Score: 4, Informative

    I haven't had a chance to use SketchUp yet, but from the screenshot it looks slightly similar to Wings 3d
    http://www.wings3d.com/

    I may be completely off comparing the two, but it's definitely a fun program to play with anyways. Open source and more intuitive than other alternatives such as blender IMHO.

  3. Re:Vs. SketchUp Pro by eMartin · · Score: 4, Informative

    "In other words, look at Sketchup - but don't touch if you want access to your data."

    Do you do 3D work?

    Some of us do. These days, we mostly "access" our data with 3D software. Not text editors. *Most* 3D programs use proprietary formats to store data specific to their own features.

    With that said, Sketchup offers several import and export options to other standard 3D formats, and can be extended with plugins to support more.