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April 24, 2020
We use SketchUp for design studies and renderings primarily. The flexible modelling system, easy navigation, and customizable views make SketchUp easy to teach and troubleshoot. We have used Vray and Enscape plugins with SketchUp for renderings, lately favoring Enscape for the speed and high quality. We design residential, office, and cultural projects, and SketchUp allows us to quickly get feedback from clients as well as make quick adjustments based on the feedback. We use Revit for design documentation, and the two tools are fairly compatible. Revit can be easily exported to SketchUp, although there are limitations.
- 3D modeling.
- Rendering.
- Walkthrough/Animation.
- Design review.
- View styles.
- Complex geometry.
- Parametric modelling (ex. adjustable profile extrusions).
- Additional views within the modeling window.
- Grouping views.
- Collaborative/simultaneous modeling.
March 12, 2020
Sketchup is used for early massing models and design studies in the conceptual phase of large scale commercial office projects, and in later stages of design for interior and retail projects. Sketchup models are often used as a basis for clean graphic exhibits, and for 3D renderings, fly-throughs, and virtual reality.
- Very easy to learn.
- Robust enough to manage various file types and modeling tasks
- Great graphics options, easy to get clean presentation exhibits from 3D models.
- Not very useful for document production, like scale drawings.
- It has limited file type compatibility.
- It does not have the tools for complex geometry.
February 23, 2020
- We use SketchUp primarily for mocking up tradeshow displays. It is a quick and easy way to get a visual of how the various components of our tradeshow presence will work on the floor of the exhibit hall. We can look at it from multiple perspectives. I'm able to render out 3D walk-through or walk-around movies so everyone on the team and get an idea of what the structures will look like.
- Additionally, we have also used SketchUp for television studio set mockups and graphics for printed publications, such as executive reports of projects that we've worked on.
- It is a very easy-to-use app, and with nonprofit discounts, it is very economical for us. Plus, the free viewer app on the SketchUp website allows anyone to interact with the models even if they are not a licensed user. The free app runs in the cloud, so it can be used from anywhere, without needing to install the software.
- Very easy to use compared to most other 3D modeling programs
- Works with a huge library of free 3D components (3D Warehouse)
- Sometimes SketchUp combines or joins objects in ways you did not intend and undoing that can be frustrating, especially if the Undo command is no longer an option.
- The process of creating photorealistic renderings is somewhat convoluted compared to other 3D apps.
February 22, 2020
In our company, we often use SketchUp to create 3D model concepts to help our customers have a better idea of or expand details for AutoCAD drawings. That is a good way to explain a difficult detail or structure. The biggest problem is that the layout and dimensions don't seem good and are hard to control. Many members must work in a separate file but cannot collaborate together in the same file.
- Build a model very fast and save a lot of time.
- Easy to change details, materials or scenes. Update in real time with layout.
- Layout is not easy to create or control.
- Not easy to do dimension in 3D view.
February 10, 2020
We use SketchUp internally to generate mockups or quick graphic representations when we don't have time to build an entire 3D model. I'll use it especially for landscape architecture demos, or anytime I need to put together a demo for a client or for marketing. It's not used by the engineers, it's really just over here in Environmental that we get more use out of it.
- Speedy modeling of simple shapes - You can very quickly get an idea sketched out.
- Rendering basic shapes to then export and use in other programs - If I need a specific background to pull into a photoshop drawing.
- SketchUp is very difficult to maneuver in - It can take ages to position objects correctly.
- It can also be tough to teach - l am working with engineers that are building models in MicroStation and AutoCAD and they can't understand how to build objects.
We use SketchUp in all phases of design and construction documents for both residential and commercial projects.
- 3D visualization.
- Clear communication of design and detailing.
- Over reliance on plugins vs. real product development.
- The inability to group and collapse scenes make navigation and organization somewhat complicated.
February 08, 2020
We've used SketchUp to create models of showroom displays for our flooring showroom. We use these models to develop a detailed plan of assembly and cut list. We've built a variety of displays to exhibit our tile products. We've also used SketchUp as an alternative to AutoCAD when doing some minor re-designs of our showroom and workspace.
- Relatively simple to learn and use as compared with other 3D modeling tools.
- Ability to share and access other models using the 3D Warehouse.
- Sometimes I have to hunt around for ways to do stuff. I can usually find a solution on YouTube.
- Sometimes some of the more complicated controls are counter intuitive.
In our architectural practice, we rely heavily on Sketch-up. It allows our designers to work in three dimensions from the start and affords them the opportunity to shift back and forth from AutoCAD to design the interior and exterior simultaneously. It also allows us to work with clients in what we call "architecture live', where the client can see changes and options immediately.
- 3D Visualization.
- Provides the ability to see the structure at real life angles.
- More photo-realistic options.
- More downloadable images from the 3d warehouse.
We have rarely needed customer support. There are really no occasions where we had an issue with the program.
January 29, 2020
I use SketchUp designing 3D contents for my clients' projects. SketchUp provides quick 3D model creation possibilities via its useful mouse commands. I only use SketchUp since MiniFabrikam is a small online desktop 3D printing company. I use SketchUp mostly on architectural projects. SketchUp provides many ready-made 3D models for all kinds of things in its 3D model repository called 3Dwarehouse. This feature saves you a lot of time on your projects. You select the ready-made models from the 3Dwarehouse and could use your own projects.
- SketchUp has a vast 3D model repository. You don't need to design the wheel from scratch.
- SketchUp's extension warehouse provides a lot of solutions for different design problems. You could solve your design bottlenecks via extensions. I often use SketchUp's STL exporter extension to get 3D printable designs for my business.
- It is a little bit hard to get manifold 3d files from SketchUp. Manifoldness is a must-have rule for a 3D printable file.
- SketchUp cannot import well-known CAD file formats.
January 28, 2020
It has been widely used in multiple disciplines, especially those that are associated with design including architecture and interior design, structural design, landscape design, manufacture design, etc. SketchUp helps to create 3D drawings for any given design to satisfy varying design requirements.
To provide a visual assistant to the test setup, I have used SketchUp to build a 3D model of the test unit along with a lab picture to show how the elements in the test setup were connected and transferred forces from the applied load. Apart from modeling, SketchUp was also used for sketching a building in my course project. Following the design requirements, I created sketches of plan-view and elevation view of the designed building in SketchUp to build a 3D model of the design. Based on these models, my project team and I can have a 3D visualization of the AutoCAD drawings and better understand the structure of the building which helped improve the design eventually.
To provide a visual assistant to the test setup, I have used SketchUp to build a 3D model of the test unit along with a lab picture to show how the elements in the test setup were connected and transferred forces from the applied load. Apart from modeling, SketchUp was also used for sketching a building in my course project. Following the design requirements, I created sketches of plan-view and elevation view of the designed building in SketchUp to build a 3D model of the design. Based on these models, my project team and I can have a 3D visualization of the AutoCAD drawings and better understand the structure of the building which helped improve the design eventually.
- SketchUp is relatively easy to start learning how to make 3D graphs compared to other programs that are designed for specific disciplines.
- SketchUp is a free software for all users to download and use.
- SketchUp drawings can be directly imported to some more advanced software to further edit.
- Built-in models and elements are limited in this free-edition software to offer help in the computer-aided design.
We use SketchUp to design different types of prototypes. I also used SketchUp to develop design demonstrations. It is a helpful tool with less technical aspects and the design flow is easy to understand. I did the design and modeling of my Do It Yourself kits and basic model sketch using SketchUp.
- Easy work flow for developing the design and models.
- Less complex work area.
- Can not add specified details and dimensions.
- Detailing becomes difficult as the complexity of project increases.
February 24, 2020
We use SketchUp for building our 3D models of new and existing dams. It’s used in the final stage of building our 3D dam models, where we put all the individual pieces of the dam together and organize and line everything up in coordinate space. It is used across multiple offices in the firm for many different applications related to 3D modeling and dam engineering.
- Organization.
- Ease of use.
- Not very detailed.
- Drawing can be finicky.
December 11, 2019
SketchUp creates comprehensive, organized, responsive models used to generate line drawings, general marketing content, and an assortment of renderings with the help of 3rd party crowd-sourced tools.
- Quick product creation with use of components, grouping, and the unique hide rest of model tool
- Great Maxwell add-on application to create photo-realistic renderings
- Some sudden application shutdowns make auto-save an important feature to turn on
- Complex warehouse models greatly reduces the speed of the model. In some cases, this makes the model unusable
December 06, 2019
We use SketchUp as our main visualization and 3D modeler. We build 3d models and then use V-Ray or other rendering methods for client presentations and internal study. It is our 3D solution when the major design is being done in 2D software such as AutoCAD. That about sums it up.
- Quick modeling of simple shapes
- Easy visualization of spaces
- Easy walk-through animations
- Good interface with other software
- Modeling complex geometries
- Better ability to set tolerances
- Snapping feature could be vastly improved
February 25, 2020
The design department is using SketchUp 3. It's a great and easy CAD software.
- You can create different types of 3D models, from architectural sketches, as it is widely used, to furniture, toys, mechanical parts, that is, whatever you want.
- I don’t have anything to complain about SketchUp 3D, is a straightforward software that everyone can learn.
January 30, 2020
SketchUp is used for various purposes in our architectural office, but mostly for 3d rendering to visualize a space. It is a great tool that is easy and enjoyable to use.
- User-friendly.
- It's easy to make 3d shapes and design buildings.
- It's sometimes tricky when lines don't connect.
I haven't really needed to use support.
It is being used across the whole organization, but ks primarily used as a tool in our design department's workflow.
- Extremely rapid modeling.
- It's simple to learn, understand, and use.
- The floating licensing easy to use.
- No real performance improvements in recent years.
- No Microsoft SharePoint/OneDrive integrations.
- The present and past few releases have had severe performance issues on high-end systems.
SketchUp is the primary design tool used in my practice. I have over 30 years of experience with BIM software including Microstation, Vectorworks, Architrion, Archicad and the original Revit product. I have found SketchUp to simply be the fastest means to a product end. My practice develops shipping container homes and I use the software to design every aspect of the building, furniture, equipment, even the brochures used to describe our work. The price of the software and the ease of training has allowed us to get our clients engaged and using it. Our consultants use the free viewer version to see our design intents.
- Conceptual studies, master planning, massing studies are fast, ideas can be rapidly evaluated.
- Does not require significant ram or graphics card enhancements.
- License cost is dramatically lower meaning more staff using the software at the same time.
- Ability to import Revit files and libraries.
- Ability to export true curved vector linework. There are some workarounds, needs to be refined.
- Create an OPEN MAPS connection. Since the split from Google, the source for high-quality aerials is limited.
- Ability to dock all menus to the master window on a Mac
- Ability to develop dockable menu trays on a Mac
February 20, 2019
SketchUp is able to provide quick 3-dimensional ideas that can be used to help further conceptualize an idea from paper to reality. It's primarily used by 3D designers and architects at my small company. I generally saw it being used in early planning stages, occasionally being used in-depth through the end of a project.
- 3D modeling.
- Spatial planning.
- Visualizations.
- Online tutorials from beginner to advanced level.
- More plugins.
SketchUp is one of the tools we use to generate quick concepts that require fast representations. I mostly use it during concept and schematic design phases where creativity is stronger than technical requirements. Typically we use Sketchup for architectural representations of interiors and exterior environments.
- Easy import/export features with CAD files.
- A very intuitive set of tools. Requires fewer operations to generate a solid volume than other software.
- Instant feedback in sections and cut-throughs in modeling.
- Basic tools are limited, I wish they'd have more features like a mirror function, chamfer or round edges function.
- Backup copies for file crashes could be improved.
November 16, 2018
I use SketchUp Pro and its associated 2D construction documentation software LayOut to build house plans for clients. I do work for clients locally and across the US and Canada. In all cases the SketchUp software is crucial for developing models that can then be used to build plans for printing.
- The 3D modeling capabilities of SketchUp are superb.
- SketchUp has a large community of professionals and enthusiasts that share component models. These can be useful for quickly developing working 3D models.
- Rendering is limited. Photo-realistic images are not possible using SketchUp alone.
- Unlike traditional architectural software SketchUp is not automated. You need to understand code to a high degree in order to be able to draw models correctly.
- More development of the software would be nice.
November 13, 2018
We use this software in the company in the engineering department. This excellent program allows us to conceptualize and model 3D images of buildings, cars, people and any other object that we are required to project. In addition, the program includes a gallery of objects, textures, and images that are very useful in working the designs. SketchUp is a program internationally recognized for its extensive capabilities to make 3D designs easily, and it is one of the most popular programs used by architects, engineers, industrial designers, among others.
- You can customize it with plugins to have functions specifically designed for your work area
- Its main feature is to be able to make 3D designs in a simple way.
- This tool allows integrating Google Maps designs, using the 3D building layer.
- The payment method does not work as well in some operating systems.
- SketchUp does not produce very realistic results compared to other similar tools.
- You cannot execute very complicated 3D design tasks.
February 07, 2019
We use SketchUp for EVERYTHING! we love it! We can show clients everything, from design concepts to space planning! It's Very user-friendly and I recommend it to everyone!
There are plenty of plugins one can use to achieve the look they're going for and there's no limit to this program. I learn something new everyday.
There are plenty of plugins one can use to achieve the look they're going for and there's no limit to this program. I learn something new everyday.
- Space planning
- Design concepts
- User-friendly
- you should make a way we can edit objects by using points, not just the edges.
- It is hard to make spheres.
September 07, 2018
Sketchup is used in the design and production department, all the designers in the area manage the program to make the 3d designs of furniture for offices, it is one of the most useful tools to carry out the design of different products in a quick way for later proceed to make the prototypes.
- The side toolbar is very complete and very intuitive.
- Your 3d warehouse market is full of very well developed 3d models that are very useful.
- It allows you to incorporate extensions and plugins that improve the performance of the program and its options and commands.
- Allows you to import and export files from different software, which makes it very flexible to work together with other programs such as AutoCAD, 3d max, Blender.
- The sandbox toolbar is not very useful does not meet expectations.
- It does not have specialized commands in the parametric design, so you should always look for extensions and plugins that fill that gap.
- The layout and style builder has not left me satisfied with the professional result.
- The default textures are of layout professional quality, so you should always look for external links.
My company uses SketchUp to make sketches of the cabinets for the electronics that we develop. Before final production, designs that are developed and tested from 3D printing are designed in this program. The main problem this tool solved was the time that elapsed from when we made the order for the design team to when we had the completed prototype. Now we ourselves are the ones who design, thanks to SketchUp, and then we print to test them.
- It helps to visualize objects in three dimensions.
- It has a very user friendly interface that has to use all its commands.
- There is a large community of people who use it willing to help, and also a great official technical support.
- It offers great compatibility with most 3D design CAD programs.
- The work area is small, not supporting large projects.
- You need a computer with a video board powerful enough to take advantage of the entire software.
- It does not have enough materials to render, and those that are not realistic enough.
SketchUp Scorecard Summary
What is SketchUp?
SketchUp is 3D modeling software with an emphasis on usability. SketchUp is a Trimble product.
Categories: Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
SketchUp Video
Sketchup Demo
SketchUp Pricing
- Does not have featureFree Trial Available?No
- Has featureFree or Freemium Version Available?Yes
- Does not have featurePremium Consulting/Integration Services Available?No
- Entry-level set up fee?No
| Edition | Pricing Details | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0.00 | per year |
| Shop | $119.00 | per year |
| Pro | $299.00 | per year |
| Professional | $299.00 | per year |
| Studio | $1199.00 | per year |
| For Students | $55.00 | per year |
| For Educators | $55.00 | per year |
SketchUp Technical Details
| Deployment Types: | SaaS |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems: | Unspecified |
| Mobile Application: | No |