- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP
- Date added: October 09, 2009
- Total Downloads: 1,109,131
- Downloads last week: 5,437
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 262 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This sketch-based 3D-modeling program offers a suite of powerful drawing tools that add an intuitiveness many design programs fail to achieve. On first impression, Google SketchUp may look like it sacrificed function for simplicity, but that's not the case. Despite the extremely user-friendly interface, SketchUp offers a suite of powerful 3D-drawing tools that let you experiment and play with new designs.
Using basic shapes in 3D space for your outline, you can then extrude those shapes to make buildings, houses, or really anything. There are actually a number of methods to build models and they're all covered by an excellent tutorial when you get started. You can pick from a number of true-to-life textures to simulate wood, concrete, grass, and several others. When your model is finished, you can save and print it, or you can even see it on a real map in Google Earth.
We really like how easy it is to create models using this program and recommend it to anyone from the hobbyist, for experimentation and fun, to the professional, who can use this app for preliminary concepts for larger projects.
Publisher's description
From Google :Google SketchUp is a free, easy-to-learn 3D-modeling program with a few simple tools to let you create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects, and even space ships. You can add details, textures, and glass to your models, and design with dimensional accuracy. You can place your finished models in Google Earth, share them with others by posting them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies. Google SketchUp is a great way to discover if 3D modeling is right for you.
What's new in this version:
Version 7.1.4871 improved support for large models and Use Google Street View imagery to add real-world photo textures to your geo-located SketchUp models.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.7 stars out of 262 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 7 user reviewsSee all 7 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Google SketchUp 7.1.4871
Pros: works like the dear cads with the beauty of a free price tag
Cons: you still have to work with geometical shapes instead of using object oritaintation
Summary: if you can desgin using cad software you will be able to use this just as easily when it comes to cad modeling this one easily compares to the paid ones with some feature you may not find in some of the others as well enjoy
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Version: Google SketchUp 7.1.4871
Pros: SketchUp is much easier to use than other CAD programs, but that isn't to say that it is simple. Read tutorials from Google to learn tons of simple, useful tricks they put into this program. Google Warehouse allows you to download tons of objects.
Cons: Precision measurements are difficult. Another problem is trying to move things where you want them. It's difficult at first, but you get the hang of it fast.
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Version: Google SketchUp 7.1.4871
"Excellent for anyone wanting to learn basics of c.a.d."
Pros: Great for practice on the basics of drawing objects in 3D. Helps to learn about the use of cad programs.
Cons: not able to scale or record measurements of items that have been drawn. It's not a useful woodworking program.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Google SketchUp 7.1.4871
"Fun to play with, not terribly feature rich.."
Pros: It's simple, fun to play with and free! With enough patience.. can model just about anything.. Integrated with Google Earth and 3D warehouse.. Decent online help and video tutorial available..
Cons: It is NOT a full featured 3D CAD program, and that's ok.. it's free.. If you are lookin' to design your future dream house, for free, I would instead use the Project Dragonfly web app by Autodesk.. Less hassle..
Summary: It's cool, fun to play with, and free.. You are free to build whatever you like.. Decent documentation.. Integration with other Google-ish things.. Exporting and Sharing.. but NOT a full featured 3D CAD program.. If yer lookin' for that, spend a few... read more >>
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Version: Google SketchUp 7.1.4871
Pros: It will allow you to throw together a quick representation of what is in your mind. Then measure, and scale it to help with the constuction.
Cons: ... I'm thinking ...
Summary: It's not the "be-all-end-all" of cad type programs, but what do you want for nothing?
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