SketchUp Hooks Up With Google Earth

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."

Comments

Vs. SketchUp Pro

[chroma]

Unfortunately, the pro version offers one critical feature that the free version doesn't:

• Access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX.

If you're going to have something manufactured from a SketchUp design, you'll need to be able to export in a format that can be read by something other than SketchUp. I'll save you the trouble of looking it up: the Pro version is $495.00 for both Windows and Mac. You can get a free trial of the pro version, though.

Re:Vs. SketchUp Pro

[eMartin]

"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.

free trial..

[joeldg]

if you have not tried out this program.. download it now..
the push/pull tool is amazing and so intuitive it is like .. "magic".. has been a long time since I have been that impressed at a program.

read some of the reviews out there and see what people are doing with it. The online galleries are inspiring..

you can import almost any model, export to almost any kind of model..

amazing amazing program I have been using for a few months now..

This is what makes Google kewl

[GillBates0]

While there's definitely a market for a product like Sketchup, Google usually goes a step further and introduces features that may not necessarily make money for them, but are cool to use and fun to understand for regular geeks and lay-users.

In this case, it's the free version of Sketchup, the free design warehouse and "geolocation" feature within the free version of Google Earth. Quite cool, IMHO.

Blender is Already Free

[plaidhacker]

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

Anyone tried Wings?

[Peepsalot]

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.

Re:First Impressions

[zxnos]

but I think anyone serious about 3D will give it a pass

as an architect, i use it all the time. i can spend 4 hours in sketchup creating a decent model with people and trees for a client to see the massing and a walkthrough of their house or office building. all kinds of other studies can be done quickly in sketchup.

or i can spend 16 hours in formz or some other rendering program. guess what the client usually wants early in the game... ...when marketing the slick image comes in. but then i can import the sketchup image and apply textures, lights, etc.