SketchUp for Mac
- By Trimble Navigation
- Trial version
- User Rating
Used SketchUp for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.
Key Details of SketchUp
- Create or download 3D models
- Last updated on 08/12/20
- There have been 1 update within the past 6 months
Editors’ Review
SketchUp for Mac is a 3D design app that allows you to create 3D models and, using an online service, get those models built. SketchUp for Mac installs easily but was not available from the App Store when we tested the software, instead requiring a download from the publisher. SketchUp for Mac is a free app, but there's a Pro version for additional cost with more features and capabilities.
You can use SketchUp on your desktop, iPad, or directly in your web browser. This lets you work from anywhere. You can manage who sees and edits your projects. You can also give feedback on models directly and keep your files updated across all devices with cloud syncing.
SketchUp lets you share your design vision in several ways. You can show detailed 2D plans, explore designs through 3D walkthroughs, or use extended reality to give a more immersive experience.
The tool is easy to use. You can start with basic tools that help you put your ideas into action. As you get better, you can use more complex features. SketchUp has built-in tools that make creating shapes easy. You can also add more functions with extensions and save time by using ready-made models from a large online library.
SketchUp for Mac lets you create surprisingly complex and detailed 3D models, but there's a learning curve to doing so. The interface is surprisingly clean and easy to work with. The top and left panes have colorful icons for the various tools, and a set of pull-down menus and pop-up dialogs let you control your illustration. It will take a few hours for anyone new to SketchUp for Mac to get comfortable with the software, but once you do there's a lot of power here. We went from simple models to relatively complex ones in a couple of days, and never felt limited by the program.
Here are the subscription packages:
Pro
- The Pro version offers comprehensive tools for detailed 3D modeling on both Windows and Mac. It includes:
- Tools to work with various file formats.
- A large selection of ready-to-use 3D models and customization tools.
- Project collaboration features through Trimble Connect.
Studio
- Designed for professionals, the Studio package adds:
- High-quality rendering with V-Ray.
- Point cloud management.
- Advanced tools for analyzing daylight in your designs.
Go
- SketchUp Go is ideal for mobile users and casual designers. It provides:
- Access on web and mobile platforms, ideal for making changes on the go.
- Cloud-based collaboration tools to connect with project teams anywhere.
- It lacks a desktop modeler, focusing on mobile and online use instead.
Free
- Replacing SketchUp Make, this free version is for non-commercial use and offers:
- Web-based operation with local save options.
- Basic drawing tools without support for extensions or material editing, perfect for beginners.
Bottom Line
Whether you are creating a new design for a chair or something far more complex, SketchUp for Mac is designed to allow you to create a model easily. If you have access to one of the new 3D printers, you can print directly from the app, or you can send the files out to a third-party print house and get a model back in the mail. While the Pro version has more features, most people will find that the basic SketchUp for Mac has more than enough to keep them happy.
SketchUp for Mac
- By Trimble Navigation
- Trial version
- User Rating
Used SketchUp for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.
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