SketchUp for Mac

SketchUp is a 3D modeling software built for a wide range of users, from architects to casual hobbyists. Originally developed for architectural work, it now covers everything from interior layouts to creative builds. With a browser-based free version and more advanced desktop options, it allows you to create models quickly without technical overload, even enabling animation.

Features like drag-and-drop modeling, realistic textures, and augmented reality viewing make SketchUp flexible across design workflows. The software handles many 3D file formats, supporting integration with other tools. It’s focused more on visual modeling than technical drafting, offering a lighter alternative to CAD-heavy platforms.

Tools built for practical modeling

SketchUp’s interface uses a drag-and-drop approach to building, making it easy to use and functional for more advanced tasks. You can create shapes, stretch surfaces, and combine parts with simple gestures. The workspace supports direct modeling to click and edit elements freely. The Push/Pull tool to extrude shapes with a single action. While it avoids complex command lines, its toolset is structured to support rough sketches and refined architectural shapes.

It supports detailed editing without deep menus. You can add precise dimensions, customize textures, and break models into grouped components. The layer system helps organize elements logically within a scene. You can also apply visual styles, shadows, and section planes to present your models in different views. These features are focused on layout flexibility and presentation, not back-end data or advanced engineering. Adjustments are visual and spatial rather than specification-heavy.

It includes basic animation features using scene transitions and section plane reveals. You can create walkthroughs or camera paths across multiple viewpoints. Though native animation is limited to static camera and visibility changes, plugins like Animator and Keyframe Animation add support for moving objects and timed sequences. Animation export options are available, but advanced rigging or physics aren’t part of the default package.

Focused design without overload

SketchUp allows you to model visually and fluidly, but it doesn’t cover every niche of professional design. It works for conceptual modeling, quick drafting, and presenting visual ideas. It isn’t suited for tasks that require in-depth systems design. Still, its direct modeling tools, scene-based animation, broad file support, and web-based accessibility make it a useful platform for 3D planning and visualization, serving various skill levels and project types.

• Limited support for detailed technical design
• Fewer advanced tools in the free version
• Full object motion requires external plugins
• Introduction of physically-based rendering
• Support for 360-degree HDR image
• AI-powered generate textures
• New material and environment libraries
• Improved IFC compatibility
• New component dictionaries
• Trimble connect integration
• Improved move tool rotation grips
• Improved rotate protractor alignment
• Dynamic values in the text tool
• Arc tool enhancements
• Improved tool consistency