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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 hobbiest, 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.
Google SketchUp is free for personal use. No registration is required.
For more information, watch a CNET video tour.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 337 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 94 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Great Program"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
No problems downloading as some have listed. Program works great, easy to use and works on Vista. Very nice program to be free. This program is worth downloading.
Cons
None so far
Summary
I really like the pop up & rotate features. This is a very easy to use 3D modeling application. There also seems to be an endless supply of Models you can download from the internet.
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"cfgdfsg"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
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Cons
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"pretty good"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
this program is pretty good for free. but as a AutoCAD user i can't really rate this fairly. if your familiar with AutoCAD you know that there is a command line that really helps with design and there is also more tools that make drawing much easier. also the drawing space kind of confused me with all the different plot lines. anyway this is still quite a good free program.
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"The 'Mac' of 3D Modellers"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
1. It is a free program.
2. There are no viruses bundled with it.
3. It almost, kinda, somewhat lets you draw in 3D.
Cons
Like I said, it is the Mac of 3D modellers. Someone who doesn't know anything and likes to just play around will find it perfect. But for someone who has actually used a 3D modelling software package before, it is insulting. You can draw shapes and drag them as 3D, but forget about trying to size entities.
Overall, it is alright to play with, just like a Mac. But if you have real work to do, leave it alone. (just like a Mac)
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"so simple, fun and excellent quality"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
easy to use, excellent quality, quick download, easy to share creations.
Cons
not enough colour and texture and hard to move things with the mouse.
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"Extremely good user-friendly software"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
This software is fun for creating models of Things. It can accurately measure and has good tutorials.
Cons
Besides fun, the only practical use of it that I can think of is being an engineer or in another profession that requires this.
If you do have a practical use, you would probably be interested in the pro edition, cosing 500 dollars with enhanced abilities and the ability to export files.
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"Easy to use"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
Very easy to use. Very accurate on measure.
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"total waste of time"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
zero
Cons
wasted all kinds of time downloading the stupid piece of junk, finaly click the program to start it and a window pops up that says program expired must upgrade, click that and a firefox window pops up that says that it that the session must close, so total waste of time, kind of like google, google is just another example of the junk era in web 2.0 or 1.5 or whatever you call it, as a search engine google is a rediculously over rated dysfunctional piece of crap and this sketchup piece of crap experience is just another example of the junk era in the internet era of development, i think we will look back on this in another fifty years and think wow what a waste of time to be putting up with this crap
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"beware, ITS ONLY BETA"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
must be great but not this package as...
Cons
when u download this and install and finally run this application it starts well but a notification says the downloadede version has already expired; do u want to upgrade to latest version. if u click no the application closes if u click yes u are directed to the googles download page.
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"you get what you pay for"
Version: Google SketchUp 6.0.176
Pros
free!
easy to learn.
sticky parts; easy to connect one point of object to another.
good measuring tools; can give midpoints, paralle, etc.
real-time rendering.
I have all these designs in my head & I found this the best 3D application to bring them out.
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