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Sketchup Resources

News

January 2019

11 easy to use & helpful SketchUp Plugins

SketchUp Warehouse is full of different useful extensions that are used in modeling in SketchUp by users but there are 11 extensions which are used frequently.

Five ideas to innovate Floor plans and Elevations

The SketchUp Hub has arranged many courses and tutorials for designers to upgrade their capabilities and here are five tips to innovate Floor plans and elevations.

SketchUp Talk: About Mastering SketchUp with Matt Donley

SketchUp team has been focusing on making their website and tools easier to use for their users, the also started a page called SketchUp Talk where people will find relative matters.

Methods to design moving parts in SketchUp for 3D Printing

SketchUp is famous for its 3D printing models and objects but the method of creating design moving parts in SketchUp for 3D printing is a matter of practice.

December 2018

SketchUp’s Advanced Camera Tools

SketchUp’s Advanced Camera Tools is an amazing extension that is used from loose storyboarding to advanced shot analysis in the planning time of any film, video or photography.

SketchUp Skill Builder: building section animations with Scenes

SketchUp Skill Builder is used to support each other in a friendly way while building up the SketchUp skills and Josh Reilly has shown the method of building section animations

Extension Inspection: SketchFX

Aaron Dietzen is a passionate designer in SketchUp who has done many videos in SketchUp Live about SketchUp Skill Builder and made many video tutorials to describe them.

Effecting a Serpentine shaped drawer in SketchUp

Aaron Dietzen is a passionate designer in SketchUp who has done many videos in SketchUp Live about SketchUp Skill Builder and made many video tutorials to describe them.

December 2017

Angular Dimension in SketchUp

SketchUp stores the most needed application to design some serious works. SketchUp users often face difficulties in inserting an angle correctly to the design.

About Fred Bartels and his creation

Fred Bartels is an educator, builder, artist, maker and a very old member of the SketchUp community.

Christmas story in SketchUp

SketchUp is one of the most used software for 3D modeling and design tools across the world and SketchUp team works with a motto that is “SketchUp for everyone”.

Using Tape Measure Tool in SketchUp

The Tape Measure Tool in SketchUp is used in SketchUp to scale or measure between the points and also it is useful to create construction lines.

October 2017

How to Configure SketchUp for Your Design

SketchUp stays at the top place when it comes to the 3D modeling applications. Smartly and easily, SketchUp performs the tasks that need less knowledge and more imagination.

Design building: Leers Weinzapfel Associates

Leers Weinzapfel Associations is mainly a Boston-based award winning method which has specialized in architecture, urban and framework projects.

CleanUp3 and Solid Inspector2 in SketchUp

Introduced by Thomas Thomassen, both tools are important to erase the errors of your design.

A brighter future for one SketchUp classroom in Brazil

Previously in some areas of Campinas, Brazil, it was hard to find the experienced in software and technology but two Trimble colleagues in Brazil, Isabella Glacomin and Lais Tatagiba took an initiative to change this scenario.

September 2017

Augmented reality on the desktop

Augmented Reality or AR is a live direct or indirect view of a real-world; physical environment whose elements are enlarged by a computer generated sensory input like sound, video, graphics etc.

Career Options SketchUp Users Have

SketchUp is not only a 3D designing tool but also a way leading to many career options. The best thing about the application is that you can learn easily how to design 3D models without having prior knowledge.

Project Management Modeling at Trilogy Partners

About Trilogy Partners: It is a design-build firm situated in Breckenridge, Colorado and is specialized in arranging residential projects.

SketchUp to VR in 10 seconds

This article is about the new SketchUp tool VR that is a very useful helping hand for the science fiction fans and have some really great features.

SketchUp vs. Revit – Which is the Better Application?

If you have a passion for designing 3D models, you may have some preferences in choosing the 3D modeling software.

Waybe: to build with SketchUp models

As we all know that SketchUp is the awesome software and the helping hand of the architects or designers and with its new and improving features it creates the design process more easy and lively.

August 2017

MakeVR Pro 3D Released by Vive Studios

MakeVR Pro 3D comes up with a real promise to transform your world of 3D into the virtual reality where you can flawlessly design models while strolling inside the work.

Release 3 of VUE 2016 and PlantFactory 2016 Introduced by E-on Software

Being a leading name of software development for animation, creation, rendering and Integration, E-on software always keeps a game changer attitude with the new application for the users.

SketchUp for Ruby Code Editor

Ruby Code Editor has been a popular extension that helps SketchUp users add fine and in-depth detailing to their 3D design.

Printable for 3D warehouse

3D modeling has become easier with the introduction of many new software applications. The complex things seem easier with the tools and extensions.

SketchUp Makes 3D for All

Nowadays 3D designing has become a widespread topic, and everyone wants to learn designing with three dimensions.

SketchUp Menu Bar – Know How to Use

SketchUp offers a straightforward approach in every feature so that anyone can design anything without having any prior knowledge.

SketchUp Web Exporter

SketchUp has numerous extensions and tools to make 3D designing a fun-loving task. Behind each release is an expectation of offering a simpler way that helps artists and designers...

June 2017

PlaceMaker on Sketchup Recreates a 3D City Model Just by a Few Clicks

Sketchup application is a phenomenon in the world of 3D designs with which you can give dimensions to your imagination.

Pre-Release of Carbon Scatter and CloudFactory Ozone 2017 Plugins by E-on Software

E-on Software is one of the leading development companies renowned globally. Lauded with many successful ventures in the field of creation, animation, rendering...

Yulio launches SketchUp plugin

It is a brief description about the Yuilo Technologies’ newly launched SketchUp plugin that will change the view of the designers and develop their designs.

Verto Studio 3D for VR Is Done Now You Can Build 3D Models in HoloLens or VR

Vetro Studio 3D promises you to provide an ultimate thrill of 3 Modeling world by offering a real-time experience like nothing before.

September 2016

The FoxRenderfarm Cloud Rendering for SketchUp Launched

SketchUp is considered as a most recognized and exceptional software for 3D architectural designing. It is known as the “pencil” in CG designing industry because it is user-friendly and feature-rich.

August 2016

Sedus Sketch Multi Version sketchup extention to download sedus seating & office furniture products

EasternGraphics has developed Sedus Sketch. It is a useful sketchup extension that can be used to download separately configured Sedus seating and office furniture products.

July 2016

How to create the layout design of a ZipGrow Tower in sketchup

This useful sketchup tutorial is presented by Bright Agrotech. The video will introduce you the detailed processes for making the layout design of ZipGrow Towers in sketchup.

2016 3D Character Design Contest to gain a share of $4,000 cash

Reallusion and Polycount are jointly organizing the 2016 Game Character Design Contest toward all 3D artists, animators and game developers.

June 2016

ArtVPS introduced SHADERLIGHT 2016 (4.1)

ArtVPS recently launched SHADERLIGHT 2016 (4.0) with some new and advanced features. SHADERLIGHT 2016 (4.0) completely supports sketchup 2016 (sketchup make and sketchup pro).

How to apply texture mapping (UV) in sktchup to design a table

W Design Corp presents an exclusive sketchup tutorial for global sketchup users. This sketchup video is based on Texture Mapping (UV) in Sketchup.

Chaos Group launched V-ray 3.4 for 3ds Max

Chaos Group Recently Released V-ray 3.4 for 3ds Max that is known as V-Ray Denoiser. This newly launched v-ray software can automate the process for eliminating noise as well as reducing render time half of the actual timing.

Camera Spiral for Sketchup

Jeando for De Luminae is the creator of Camera Spiral for sketchup. This sketchup extension only supports sketchup 2016 as well as Mac OS X, Windows platform.

May 2016

Generate & export content to a 3d game engine with PlayUp Tools for Sketchup

Sushi 8 Studios develops PlayUp Tools for sketchup. This useful sketchup extension facilitates the sketchup users to generate and export content to a 3D game engine.

Sedus Sketch – The newest free sketchup extension

EasternGraphics, a renowned software company, develops Sedus Sketch, a free extension for sketchup.

November 2015

Learn to grid materials with v-ray for Sketchup

This nice sketchup v-ray tutorial is presented by W design corp. This v-ray tutorial will provide step-by-step guidance on how to grid materials in v-ray for sketchup.

The developers can now access Nvidia’s Iray Rendering Engine technology for creating stunning design and visual effects

Nvidia just declared that the developers can now directly access Iray rendering engine technology for the first time in their life.

Chaos Group Launches V-Ray for Revit Public Beta

Chaos Group announces the V-Ray for Revit Public Beta. Intelligently integrated into Autodesk Revit, V-Ray’s core rendering technology has been tailored to meet the needs of architects at all stages of the design process – from concepting to VR.

Chaos Group Labs Releases Virtual Reality Guide

Chaos Group Labs releases a free virtual reality (VR) guide that teaches artists how to create successful VR projects with pre-rendered content and V-Ray.

August 2015

How Sketchup Pro was utilized to create the design and modeling of a port handling facilities and instruments

SEA-Tech, a recognized port handling and engineering company having expertize in transportation, warehousing, and other port related works, has applied sketchup to make the port logistics process superior.

SketchUp Style Builder

Style Builder is new software to create your own unique styles that you can use and share for SketchUp. You can use strokes drawn in any medium (oil pastel, quill pen, burnt stick) to make your model look hand-rendered.

March 2015

An Important Association in 3D Printing to Creative Student, Formlabs Partners met Royal College of Art

The stories which are my personal favorite, that are included in the 3D printing space are the ones that focus on mainly showcasing the technology to the students all over the world.

The Common Problems of 3D Printing and Solutions

There are several of things that are awesome about 3D printing. It gives us the potentiality to hold any level of complication. It ensures pinpoint accuracy.

Trimble Expands the Construction Modeling Capabilities to HVAC Market

Trimble has announced that it is assisting the new construction modeling workflows with the grater integration between Bentley Systems' AECOsim Building Designer software and Trimble's Vulcan sheet metal cutting software for the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) market.

February 2015

3Dponics presents 3Dponics Customizer MakerBot-Ready App

3Dponics Inc., maker of the first-ever 3D-printable hydroponics system, is all set to release its first MakerBot-Ready App: the 3Dponics Customizer.

3DPonics Reveal New easiest 3D Modeling & Printing App

The 3D printed hydroponics system is now the subject to discuss. With the aim of making “open source learning”, 3DPonics has sustained to enlarge upon their designs, because of the open source community of developers who have taken part in the project.

Lots of new updates are included in sketchup 3d warehouse – latest announcement from Trimble

Trimble recently brings new updates to its online 3D Warehouse platform to optimize the process for distributing and downloading free 3D models and materials.

Designing Kitchen Cabinets with SketchUp

SketchUp is an outstanding tool for designing kitchen cabinets. The free version has abundance of strong features, and even professionals with access to $30,000 cabinet design software regularly use it.

Art of Illusion 3.0 – the newest free open source 3d modeling, rendering & animation studio

Java-based open source Art of Illusion, a free 3d modeling, rendering & animation studio, can transform your creativeness to the next level.

January 2015

How to Import a Map with Google Earth Terrain into Sketchup

The process of importing Google earth parcel and/or map into sketchup is pretty seamless (probably as a result of once Google initial non-heritable sketchup they were hoping to use it to populate the 3d buildings in Google earth).

Insert photo into Sketchup

In addition to operating with 3D models, Google SketchUp supports regular second photos within the JPEG, PNG, PSD, BMP and TIF image formats.

How to upload your Google Sketchup model to the 3d Warehouse

The 3D Warehouse could be a large assortment of 3D models that's searchable and, most significantly, free for everybody to use.

Some powerful architectural 3d modeling programs of the recent time

The technology is making a sea change in the functionalities of the various tools & software which are considered as the inherent part of the advanced architectural modeling.

Take your 3d object modeling practice to the next level with SentiSculpt technology

Lithuania based Neurotechnology, having expertise in developing precision imaging software, recently introduced SentiSculpt Software Development Kit (SDK).

December 2014

Sketchup creates shaker bench

Preparing a custom project is not so easy. There is a requirement to ready every single part always. The project can be created custom.

Smoothie 3d the newest free 3d modeling software

Smoothie-3D, an exclusive free 3d modeling software that produces 3d printable smoothest 3d models. These 3d models can be used for advertising, 3D visualization, 3D games, web and any other field belongs to 3D design.

VisualARQ 1.8 - BIM and Architectural Tools for Rhinoceros

VisualARQ is a useful free-form architectural software for Rhinoceros that can generate architectural interiors instantly.

SketchUp 2015 Comes Out With a Colossal Popularity

An exclusive online video training course on sketchup 2015 conducted by Linda. George Maestri will perform as the course instructor.

Revolutionize your 3d modeling process with Augmented Reality App “Lego X”

Gravity, a London based studio, is going to introduce an augmented reality app alias Lego X to produce digital (and scalable) models of your design in reality through the use of location-mapping and gyroscopic sensors.

World Tallest 3D printed building in China

The Chinese construction firm that astonished the world last Gregorian calendar month by making 3D printing ten homes from second-hand concrete in twenty four hours...

November 2014

3D Printed Jewellery Collection for Men only

You can find it in the market now. Earlier we have heard about 3D printed jewellery. But those were all for women. This time it is for men have some of those collections with the attires.

Fast style of SketchUp 2015 and its working talent

In the hand-drawn visualization, it is not for all time, looked like it is completed. Here, the designers have to styling the SketchUp control show and the settings which changes the way the model appears.

3D Model and Gadget that Matters

Emirates 24/7 brings us some of the amazing gadgets some of which we cannot even visualize, a pen that recharge the cell phone or a wallet that alert you while lifting or it can even track the spot or a DVR recording TV programme.

October 2014

Beyond 3D: David O'Reilly’s Work

Los Angeles is now energetic with plethora of animation actions. The lo-fi absurdist animator David O’Reilly will be given the compliment and a mark of respect at the REDCAT theatre at Disney Music Hall downtown

Sean Wagstaff finds 3D Workflows under GPU Ray Tracing

Rendering the computer is a tedious job. Sean Wagstaff, a wizard in 3D technical directorship and visual effect, ProViz Tech Marketing at NVIDIA has some handy experience on it

Facilities of SketchUp on Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD or ArchiCAD

The SketchUp, and 3D modelling software, which suppose to be an antidote to do the complicated, expensive CAD software -- Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD or ArchiCAD.

September 2014

SightSpace view mobile augmented reality claims best new product award

A leading service provider of 3D mobile Augmented Reality, recently proclaimed that SightSpace View, its Trimble SketchUp plugin and companion mobile app that quickly and easily deploys designs to mobile

Best way to clean 3D printer

There are so many attractive technique to advance the performance, as well as strength and sturdiness, of a 3D printer.

How drones, digital photogrammetry & 3d printing technology can streamline the surveying process

Recently some significant changes are taken place in geological surveys with the introduction of drones and Digital photogrammetry that can substitute the old manual process of 2d mapping with 3d printed models.

Explore with various 3d modeling technologies

The Delaware Division of Libraries declares the availability of Delaware Libraries Inspiration Space.

August 2014

A wonder! 3D Printed Estate is coming soon in NY

Imagine a residential estate which features a 3D printed swimming pool, 4-bedroom, 2400 square foot home, and more

FabCafe Mini 4WD Cup: Team Honda took the 3D Printed trophy

The Japanese engineering spirit is great. Around 60 mini 4WD fans including children and professional car designers assembled Kashiwanoha KOIL to race their miniature cars customized by 3D printers and laser cutters.

Twilight render version 2.0 for sketchup

Twilight render is a photo-rendering plug in of Trimble SketchUp. Twilight puts power directly into Sketchup, making the model lively.

Arup Engineers has developed the world’s first ever WikiHouse in London

The first ever open source, digitally-printed 3D house alias WikiHouse is going to be constructed in central London. Arup engineers has developed this two-storied, two-bedroom house.

July 2014

Avail best-in-class web service inside sketchup with BIMobject® App 2.0

BIMobject® declares the availability of the latest app, BIMobject® App 2.0 for Trimble Sketchup. This newest application can be downloaded from the Trimble Sketchup Extension Warehouse.

An exclusive sketchup book ‘SketchUp 2014 for Architectural Visualization’ 2nd edition is just launched

Thomas Bleicher and Robin de Jongh have jointly published the 2nd edition of the exclusive book alias ‘SketchUp 2014 for Architectural Visualization’.

Computer Aided Design (CAD) programme for the 3D Printing

The computer aided designs (CAD) software program enables a designer to shape their models. One of the best among is TinkerCAD.

June 2014

SketchUp getting started

Getting started with SketchUp is a matter of getting familiar with the workspace and some simple navigational shortcuts.

Turn Your iPad into a 3D Scanner with Itseez3D

As 3D printing has become a more viable pastime for the technologically inclined, there’s a similarly growing need for quick, easy, and accurate 3D modeling.

Trimble Participates in First-Ever White House Maker Faire

Trimble is proud to be a participant in the first-ever White House Maker Faire, held today to showcase the Maker Movement — tinkerers, inventors, and entrepreneurs who promote entrepreneurship and innovation — and the tools and technologies they rely on to do so.

Inside3DP Exclusive : 3D Printing Maven Releases Four New 3D Printers

3D Printing maven and inventor Richard Horne released 4 new 3D printers today sharing the files for them so that anyone can use these designs.

3D modeling with Sketchup make Trimble

Basic Course organized by the Order of Architects PPC of the Province of Forlì in collaboration with Visuall SRL.S. have been recognized, no. CFP 6 from CNAPPC.

How Desktop 3D Printers are 100% Useful to Our Daily Lives

Lets face it – desktop 3D printers are far from meeting the standards of the average consumer.

April 2014

Bluffton middle school students draw, digitize town landmarks

A year after Pam Davis' Google Apps class documented historic locations on Daufuskie Island, 150 of her students re-created historic landmarks closer to home.

Sketchfab aims to become the global platform for sharing 3D models

3D modeling represents next frontiers in technology and French startup Sketchfab wants to make it more accessible to the average internet user.

Rotary Lift expands digital offerings for facility planning assistant program

Rotary Lift is expanding the digital offerings available through its free assistPRO professional facility planning assistance service.

Boulder's concept3D gets cash infusion, expands mapping, energy application

The Boulder-based developers of SketchUp set off to build a 3-D modeling software program, they sought to create an application that would make 3-D modeling more accessible and they wanted to make a living in return.

Mini film made on Google Sketchup and a 3D printer

The small world of animation seen 3D printing with kindness. Gradually emerging projects and the web will quickly find themselves overwhelmed by the possibilities offered by these new tools of choice are 3D printers.

Portola High School in California Takes to Kickstarter to Fund a 3D Printer

3D printing in schools has only recently become a reality. While there are many schools around the world that have already had the opportunity to bring 3D printers into their classrooms, the majority of schools are not quite there yet.

Concept 3D Raises $1.25M to Advance Its Mapping and Energy Software

After years of working with universities to develop interactive maps and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop energy assessment software, Concept 3D is setting off to explore new territory.

March 2014

Trimble Delivers 3D Scanning Extension for SketchUp

Trimble announced today the release of Trimble® Scan Explorer Extension for SketchUp Pro; a powerful, easy-to-use tool enabling architects, engineers and geospatial professionals to create models from 3D scanning data.

SketchUp models become mobile augmented reality experience with sightspace

Limitless Computing Inc. of Boulder, Colo., a provider of 3D augmented mobile reality, announces the immediate availability of SightSpace View, its Trimble SketchUp plugin and companion mobile app created to quickly and easily deploy designs to mobile.

SketchUp Tutorial Video - A Practical Course

This SketchUp training course teaches you how to use this 3D modeling program designed for architects, engineers, designers. SketchUp comes in two versions, a free and paid version.

Jeff Gelles - The digital divide persists

The teens in Brian Cohen's math classes love to use SketchUp 8 for 3D modeling. They design their dream houses, then dive into the algebra and geometry problems their own imaginations create.

Create a Linear Array in SketchUp

I’m currently working on a variation on L & J. G. Stickley’s No. 220 prairie settle. The settle’s three sides consist of frame and panels. Because I’m building a shorter version, I need to shorten the rails and resize the panels.

February 2014

SketchUcation Tools 2.6 released

SketchUcation Tools 2.6 introduces faster downloads, up to 4x, device syncing of plugins, new API for plugin devs and tons of bugfixes, tweaks and improvements.

Google SketchUp for Interiors: A conceptual guide for modeling i – Paul Stefanik

Google SketchUp for Interiors: A conceptual guide for modeling i write by very good author that named Paul Stefanik are free for download now, many version are offered, PDF version...

DRS Releases Thermal Camera 3D Models Via Autodesk Web Service

DRS Technologies has unveiled a series of digital building product models of its infrared camera technology through an Autodesk web application service.

3D Design Software – Trimble SketchUp

This week, I am sharing about 3D design software that I recommend for those who want to get started with design and modeling for 3D printing.

Konstruieren in 3D mit Sketchup 2014

The 3D design program updates its programming to Ruby 2.0, gearing up for building information modeling and faster to render shadows. And: The Make-version remains free of charge.

OTOY 3D Rendering Software Now Free for Students

Students can now download OTOY's OctaneRender 3D rendering software, including OctaneRender plugins for Blender and Autodesk's 3ds MAX (and, shortly, Maya), for free.

3D printing in color with Photoshop CC, hands-on

3D printing is one of the most powerful new tools in the arsenal of many creatives, so it was only a matter of time before Adobe added support for it to Photoshop.

January 2014

How to make a Roof in Google Sketchup

Create a complex roof in seconds - just select faces and edges; then run Instant Roof. Hip, gable, shed, dutch-gable, mansard, plantation, gambrel, open-trellis, combined, more...

SketchUp Training for Home Energy Professionals RESNET 2014

This course is designed for HERS Raters or other energy professionals with equivalent experience with energy modeling. It has been specifically designed to help complete take-offs for quick from-plans rating data collection.

Create 3D Objects Without A Sketch Plane

This tip from David Edward Gaskill illustrates how to create simple 3D objects in Autodesk Inventor without starting with a sketch plane and a 2D sketch.

Bluebeam Software Launches Revu 12 for Better Field-Ready Document Management and Project Collaboration

Bluebeam Software, leading developer of PDF-based markup, measurement and collaboration solutions for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), oil and gas, manufacturing and other technical professionals.

To 3D Print Coney Island

One artist is recreating a 100-year-old amusement park with very new technology. Fred Kahl, a creative director and designer at New York media firm Funny Garbage, is using a very new technology to create a very old thing.

SketchUp 2014 is here

If you poke around SketchUp.com today, you’ll notice a few things are different. For one, a new version of SketchUp is available for download in ten languages.

Information Modeling in SketchUp

When SketchUp was invented more than a dozen years ago, our team envisioned a tool which was simple to learn and simple to use, but powerful and capable of building complex models of all kinds of real world things.

December 2013

Chaos Group Releases V-Ray 2.0 for Rhino

Popular Renderer for Rhino Gets Major Overhaul Across the Board; Speed, Workflow, Lighting, and Material Improvements; Free for V-Ray 1.5 for Rhino Customers.

Trelligence Affinity v8.1 Released for BIM Design

Trelligence, Inc. returned to Autodesk University 2013 with release update of Trelligence Affinity v8.1 functional design software. Trelligence demonstrated the full suite of Affinity 8 functionality throughout the expo at Booth 2003.

concept3D Releases Commercial Beta of simuwatt Solar

Concept3D has developed simuwatt® Solar to streamline commercial solar sales, design and permitting. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) partnered with concept3D to create simuwatt Solar.

3D Printing in the Classroom - 5 Tips for Bringing New Dimensions

When the New Media Consortium Horizon Project identified the technologies that were expected to have a major impact on STEM+ education in the next several years, its group of education experts around the world identified 3D printing.

Esri's CityEngine eases urban planning mapmaking in 3-D

Geospatial tech leader Esri released an updated version of its CityEngine modeling software that is used to generate three-dimensional designs for planning urban environments.

Spike smartphone app brings 3D laser modeling to the masses

The technology that goes into laser hardware for surveying and three-dimensional (3D) modeling has traditionally been the plaything of architects, surveyors, and engineers.

Formlabs releases PreForm 1.0 and begins accepting Bitcoin payments

Currently 3D printing isn't nearly as easy or as fun as it needs to be in order to catch on, but Formlabs is trying to change that. At CES 2014, the company released PreForm 1.0, an updated and simplified version.

October 2013

LightWave 11.6 and NevronMotion Final Releases Now Available

The LightWave 3D Group, a division of NewTek, Inc., has made available the final release of LightWave 11.6 software for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. In addition, the company announced today the final release

King Students Utilize Minecraft for 3D Modeling Education

Students at King High School will be taking part in a 3D modeling educational journey, using creativity and critical thinking skills to create an interactive learning environment based on a historic event.

Philadelphia University to Use LumenRT for GeoDesign

e-on software, the leader in 3D Immersive Nature technologies, recently announced that Philadelphia University has joined the LumenRT Luminaries program and has adopted LumenRT as part of its core GeoDesign graduate program.

Chenderit School's first 3D Print

Last week we brought you a blog from Anna Marriott, a teacher at Chenderit School who acquired a Cube for their Design and Technology course at TCT Show 2013. She talked us through the difficulties of getting the printer through the various bits of red tape.

Learning the Landscape Through Reverse Engineering Projects

The undergraduates in my Introduction to Education course at MIT are conducting observations and writing blog posts about their experiences. I'm reposting here a post from Jennifer Liu, who has some insightful observations about a Google SketchUp

Using Guides in Sketchup

With the Tape Measure tool, you can create an infinite guide line in SketchUp that allows you to use the power of the Inference System to snap to. I use guides all the time in my model to help me model accurately.

September 2013

Construction Documents Workshop across the US

Our friends at BrightmanTal have a great offer for our US members with $100 off the attendance fee for their Construction Documents Workshop for Architecture.

Artisan Organic Toolset for SketchUp

Artisan Organic Toolset - with powerful subdivision, sculpting, and soft selection tools, Artisan is ideal for creating: - Terrain and landscapes, Furniture, Characters...

Shaderlight helps to transform New York City

Ed Wonsek is a full time digital artist who specialises in retail marketing for exclusive New York City cliental. As an accomplished SketchUp user, it wasn’t until he started using Shaderlight

SketchUp 3D Basecamp 2014

The world’s most recognized event on sketchup is going to be held consecutively on 14th, 15th and 16th April, 2014 in Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Colorado, USA.

August 2013

E-on Software unveils Plant Factory

e-on software, makers of the leading solutions for Digital Nature, announces the immediate availability of Plant Factory, its revolutionary new technology for creating and rendering high-quality 3D plants.

A textbook for teaching SketchUp

We’ve spent a lot of time watching students of all ages take to SketchUp. Fearlessly, they dive right in, texturing polygons until they’ve created imaginatively robust landscapes, or even autofolding simple geometric structures

Teaching Dynamic Components to the web : a SketchUp summer research project

Hey there. My name is Brandon, and this summer I interned at SketchUp. I attend the Colorado School of Mines and, as you might guess, I study computer science. Regardless of your major at Mines, all students are required to take a class on drafting.

Abvent introduces Artlantis 5

Abvent has announced the launch of Artlantis 5, the latest version of the fastest, stand-alone 3D rendering application developed especially for architects and designers. Artlantis 5 combines the most advanced and efficient tools

RaySupreme v1.1 Released for 3D Modeling, Rendering

RaySupreme v1.1 is a major upgrade to BrainDistrict's 3D software, and includes new technology (text-to-3D) that enables users to create 3D objects and scenes by typing text via their keyboards.

Connect a laser distance meter and create SketchUp models

My name is Bert van't Veer and I am the lead developer of Yuzu, a software suite by Picard Innovations aimed at professionals in the field of measuring spaces and buildings. Part of this platform is an extensive SketchUp plugin

Milling Tools plugin

Creates Dog-Bone fillets on picked faces. Based a request for a milling tool plugin: SketchUcation Thread. Creates Dog-Bone fillets on the faces you click on.

July 2013

The 10 Free Tech Tools Your Class Should Be Using

Even the most tech savvy teachers face challenges when it comes to selecting and implementing the right tools to enhance instruction. One of the biggest: Engaging students in rigorous and relevant learning using tools

The SpaceNavigator remains the best way to use Google Earth

With the LeapMotion finally launching soon (hopefully), I thought it’d be fun to once again take a look at the current king of Google Earth controls — the 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator. It’s been nearly seven years since

Undergrads triumph in Google contest

Undergraduates worked on this 3D rendering of the Dartmouth campus throughout the Spring term. As one of seven winning teams they will travel to the Google headquarters in California. A team of 13 Dartmouth

Sefaira Concept Release - SketchUp 2013

Sefaira Concept now fully supports SketchUp 2013. You can now upload SketchUp 2013 files directly to Concept, and use the Sefaira SketchUp Plugin with SketchUp 2013. Our customers can download the plugin

Model Your Renovation in 3D With SketchUp Make

I might have found my next favorite tool. SketchUp Make, released last month, is 3D design software that you've probably heard of. If you're like me, you might have even tried it. Various versions of SketchUp

Land F/X - A complete landscape architectural add-on to create planting and site plans

Land F/X is the leading landscape architectural add-on for AutoCAD. This plug-in allows anyone to create Planting or Site plans within SketchUp, accessing our vast content library. It also has tools to connect SketchUp

RIP Google Reader, ignored by many, loved by few

If you have a Google account, and if you're reading this on a computer you most likely do, you'll probably have used it to sign in to Gmail, or maybe YouTube, Google Maps or its burgeoning social network Google+.

Discover VJTI on Google Earth

Have you ever tried the ground level view on Google Earth? Google Earth - a virtual globe of stitched together sub-meter high resolution satellite photos of the Earth. This geographical information program also

June 2013

Trimble Extends Survey and Engineering Workflow Support with SketchUp File Integration

Trimble introduced today integration of SketchUp file import and export capabilities in its Trimble Business Center office software.

Ruby Scripts - Add extra functionality to SketchUp

Ruby is a programming language that anyone can use to write plugins (scripts) for SketchUp. Once installed, Ruby Scripts can add tools, simplify multi-step operations, and

Blue Marble to Present at MAPPS 2013 in Rockland, ME on 3D Flood Modeling Tool

Blue Marble Geographics (bluemarblegeo.com) has been selected to present on the COAST Tool at the 2013 MAPPS Summer Conference.

SketchUp at Maker Faire

I will be attending Maker Faire in Detroit at the end of this month, I am really excited about it. I came across this neat interview of all the uses of Sketchup at Maker Faire.

BuildEdge for SketchUp

There among the AEC software giants whose towering booths are metaphors for the huge buildings they will help create, was Aaron Dietzen in a 10'x10' space showing

480 Thea Presto GPU Rendering for SketchUp

Thea Render v1.2 and it's new GPU plugin Thea Presto were finally released late last week. This update to Thea Render is the most comprehensive to date with the whole

May 2013

Trimble Delivers SketchUp 2013, New Version of 3D Modeling Platform for Architecture, Design and Construction Professionals

Trimble introduced SketchUp 2013, the latest version of the popular 3D modeling platform used by millions around the world, including architects, engineers, building and design professionals and members of the fast-growing maker community.

3D Model Marketplace CGTrader looks for the next 3D Printable Innovation

The next industrial revolution already has a name - 3D printing. 3D printing is affecting how products are created and consumed. In order to work, this technology needs professional-level 3D models

New tool lets you create 3D-printed models with a literal wave of your hand

Like any trade, once you learn the ropes of 3D modeling and do it enough, it becomes second nature. Certain college programs even dare to think they can teach it to you in just a semester or two.

PlusSpec - New SketchUp Plugin

Now this is no ordinary plug in. This Plug in is called PlusSpec. PlusSpec will draw walls, add windows, add rooves, add textures, add framework, internal linings and do an estimate on the materials with one click.

Architecture Unchained Visualization Contest

After a very long break in contests, we are back with the new one. I was working hard to make this one happen, and I am sure you will be as excited about it as I am :)

SketchUcation releases new SketchUp plugin that makes managing plugins much easier

3D modeling is an essential part of being a Maker or Modder in today's world. We use it for everything from mocking up projects, to designing objects that our 3D printers will make into physibles.

Architectural program takes shape in Western Springs District 101

Squares, triangles, right angles and straight lines are each concepts of geometry. They also happen to be basic architectural concepts incorporated into houses, schools and other buildings.

Trimble SketchUp - World Renowned 3D Modeling Tool

SketchUP is a 3D modeling program used by millions of people worldwide. Sketchup allows you to design and build basically anything imaginable.

Sketch2Scene : Sketch-based Co-retrieval and Co-placement of 3D Models

This work presents Sketch2Scene, a framework that automatically turns a freehand sketch drawing inferring multiple scene objects to semantically valid, well arranged scenes of 3D models.

Making our space at Maker Faire Bay Area

SketchUp Maker Faire checklist: SketchUp design, Engineering toolbox plugin, Cutlist plugin, Lumber cutlist, Miter saw, 18-bolt cordless drill, Gorilla glue, Safety glasses and Band-aids.

LumenRT 4.1 Now Available!

We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of LumenRT 4.1 Studio! LumenRT 4.1 Studio adds extended capabilities for large MicroStation models and Revit export.

Depicting Architecture - Enter the Riba Journal Eye Line Competition

However you design – on paper or on screen, through collage or any combination of these – depicting your intentions as an architect is often about more than communicating information.

April 2013

Learning SketchUp Training Video

A Practical SketchUp Training Course That Teaches Real World Skills. In this project-based Learning SketchUp video tutorial series, you'll quickly have relevant skills for real-world applications.

AW online workshops SketchUp

Beginner’s SketchUp Webinar:This is a beginner’s webinar in Trimble SketchUp. No prior experience with SketchUp is needed, but the student must be able to download and install SketchUp and be familiar with a computer.

Super Modeler Weekend for SketchUp users

On Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of May, the SketchUp Pro Super Modelers will organize a special modeling party in Eindhoven. This event is sponsored by Design8.

Architectural 3D Awards 2013

The CGarchitect Architectural 3D Awards are the largest awards event for the architectural visualization industry.

Trimble Acquires Vico Assets to Extend its Design-Build-Operate Capabilities for Building Construction

Trimble announced today that it has acquired assets of privately-held Vico Software, Inc. (Vico) of Boulder, Colorado, a recognized leader in 5D virtual construction software and consulting services.

SketchUp 3D Challenge 174 - Water Slide

We're gearing up for Summer (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) and now it's time to start thinking about your summer activities.

New Plugin: Canvas v1.0.6 Beta

An extremely cool, new plugin (albeit still in beta phase) has been released by Renderiza (Rafael Rivera) lately. Canvas can Interactively paint groups and components in spray type manner.

TopoShaper, a powerful terrain maker for SketchUp

Fredo6 on the Sketchucation Forum has created a new terrain maker called TopoShaper. It will take your grouped contours and create a terrain surface from them.

March 2013

3D Modeling With Daniel Tal and Google SketchUp

Daniel and Ambit-3D create virtual 3 dimensional site plan models for architects, landscape architects and developers working in both the private and public sector.

A new way to great 3D textures!

PixPlant 2 is a smart 3D texturing tool that creates high quality normal, displacement, specular maps and seamless textures from plain photos.

DAVID Structured Light Scanner

The new DAVID-SLS-1 scanner employs the innovative Structured Light technology, which allows precise 3D scanning in a matter of seconds. The scanner is mobile and can be placed easily in front of the surface to be scanned.

Solid plugin for Google SketchUp

SuSolid is a fusion of 4 plugins related to Solid entities of Google SketchUp: Solid Check Plugin that shows you all the causes that makes your model a non solid.

Rendering In Sketchup

For those of you who work in Sketchup and are new to rendering, or are confused by all the different rendering software packages available, a new book is coming out March 25 that will help.

eDrawings Publisher SketchUp Google

eDrawings for Google SketchUp provides an innovative way to share your designs. You can publish your SketchUp models to eDrawings files that can packed into a self-executable (.exe).

February 2013

School Tool - 3DTin Provides Free, Online Modeling Environment

Freemium 3DTIN is an online 3D modeling tool that allows users to render designs as intricate as the Taj Mahal or playful as Super Mario. The feature set more closely mirrors Google SketchUp than the costlier AutoCAD (or SketchUp Pro) but designs can be exported in a variety of formats if another modeling tool is required.

Want to get into 3D printing

A DECENT COMPUTER Even though software programs like Blender, Google SketchUp, TinkerCAD, and the like are free, they still utilize 3D graphics, for obvious reasons, and unless you have a decent processor and graphics card, you're going to get frustrated in a hurry.

InfiniteSkills Release "Learning SketchUp Tutorial" A Comprehensive Training Guide to Mastering This Intuitive 3D Modeling Program

Software training firm InfiniteSkills Inc. this week introduced its "Learning SketchUp Tutorial," a course designed to assist beginners and experienced users to maximize the capabilities of the user-friendly 3D modeling program. SketchUp is a 3D modeling program with a wide range of applications in architecture, civil and mechanical engineering

17 Fantastic Sketchup Plugins, Bundled into one for your easy use

We have been using sketchup more and more often, we we always feel there is a lack of proper tools, especially where freeform design is concerned. This is true even for the pro version. Luckily, Sketchup is open source in that in allows ruby script by unapproved 3rd parties to be added onto the software.

3D Modeling - Google Sketchup

Before I homeschooled I worked as a mechanical engineer. 3D modeling is a way engineers and others in technical fields explore new concepts, design products and provide instructions for manufactures. New parts are modeled in three dimensions by first sketching them in two dimensions and then giving them depth.

Free Google Sketchup Tutorials Full 2013

Three-dimensional models are constituent if you're in the pattern tract. Google SketchUp gives you the noesis to easily make your own 3D models. With an easy-to-use program and a beamy path of Ameliorate features, it's the perfect agency for tyro and middle designers like.

Mansycom to market Google SketchUp Pro in India

Yash Birla Group company Mansycom Consultants today said it had partnered with Google to market and distribute the search engine giant's premium 3-dimensional modeling software package 'Google SketchUp Pro' in India.

SketchUp for crime scene reconstruction

We’re never surprised to hear that SketchUp is being used in ways we didn’t expect, but we were particularly impressed when we came across this article about SketchUp’s knack for reconstructing crime scenes. We wanted to learn a bit more about how 3D plays into crime scene reconstruction.

January 2013

Sefaira Concept + SketchUp for Green Building Design

Traditionally, thermal simulation packages or energy models assess compliance at the end of the design process. Booth Hansen selected Sefaira Concept to rapidly analyze and evaluate “what-if” options from the earliest design stages, to provide its clients with relative energy savings of many sustainable design strategies.

Public Digital Humanities for Lunch - A free tour of 3D modeling software

This January, Public Digital Humanities for Lunch (PDH4L) gives users a free tour of 3-D modeling software. Cory Taylor kicks off this year’s PDH4L series with “(Re)creating the World: Modeling for Google Earth with Trimble SketchUp."

How to utilize Google SketchUp for 3D Printing

With the fast growing popularity of 3D Prototyping, a lot of 3D modeling tools and software have been developed in recent years. 3D modeling software plays a crucial role in creating 3D prototypes, as it is only with the use of the right 3D modeling tool that someone can design a perfect prototype.

Shaderlight version 2.4 has been launched for sketchup users

Users of Shaderlight can now render faster and more efficiently, thanks to the release of version 2.4 of the leading interactive and intuitive rendering plug-in to SketchUp.

Google SketchUp Video Animations Explain Basic Sustainable Landscape Design Concepts

The Urban Forests = Cleaner, Cooler Air video, one of five new animations from ASLA, explains the importance of trees in urban areas to mitigate the heat island effect. All the videos are geared to the general public and give a basic understanding of sustainable practices of landscape architects.

Workshop taps into spatial-visual strengths of children with autism

The University of Utah's iSTAR educational program focuses on children with autism; specifically teaching them how to use computers for 3-D modeling. The university held a demonstration for parents and teachers Thursday to show how SketchUp, a free downloadable design program, could help children at home and in the classroom.

PolicyPak Locks Down Settings in Google Sketchup

PolicyPak Software, a leader in desktop management and Group Policy, recently released a management Pak for Google Sketchup. PolicyPak can deliver settings using Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy, Microsoft SCCM, Dell KACE, or any other management tool.

Create a Land Subdivision Concept 3D Model In Trimble SketchUp

Landon Blake will be giving a talk entitled “Create a Land Subdivision Concept 3D Model in Trimble SketchUp”. The talk will be given at the 52nd CSUF Geomatics Conference, in Clovis California.

December 2012

Lynda – Google SketchUp 8 Essential Training

In this course, author George Maestri explains how to model and render 3D objects and scenes using Google SketchUp 8. The course covers the fundamentals of the application, from navigating the user interface, manipulating objects, and building basic shapes

New Book - Architectural Design with SketchUp

Back in March of 2011, when Wiley (a publisher of many books about SketchUp, including my own) asked me to review Alex Schreyer's proposal for a new title, I jumped at the chance. Alex's outline was mouth-wateringly full of promise; aimed squarely at architects and other designers

SketchUp program helps open new communication doors with grandparents of autistic children

For three years, University of Utah researchers have been deploying a computer-based design program called SketchUp in workshops to teach and develop life skills for youth on the autism spectrum.

Visualizing the future of Toronto through Google Earth

The 17-year-old high school student from Uxbridge is demonstrating a 3D model of the downtown core he built on his laptop using SketchUp, free 3D modeling software formerly owned by Google.

SB2 Offers Render[in] Licenses to Students, Teachers for $50

During the month of December, SB2 is offering Render[in] licenses to students and teachers for the low price of US$50.00 (SRP US$160.00). Render[in] is a fully-integrated, real-time radiosity engine developed for SketchUp Free and Pro users.

November 2012

Balancing Interior and Exterior Lighting in SketchUp

Balancing interior and exterior lighting in SketchUp is a challenge many 3D designers face. The question of how to do it recently popped up in our IRender nXt forum so we decided to cover it here.

SketchUp 3D Basecamp - A Brief Roundup

Earlier last week the SketchUp team and Trimble hosted 3D Basecamp in Boulder, Colorado. For avid SketchUp users 3DBC is a great time to network with and learn from other SketchUp users.

Using SketchUp for 3D Printing

SketchUp is a free 3D modeling tool that is quite often the very first exposure to 3D modeling for many people. But is it appropriate for producing 3D models for printing?

Raylectron Render, photorealistic 3D rendering plugin for Trimble

Component and Group instancing is another unique feature of Raylectron for Sketchup which allow you to duplicate any component or group without actually duplicating that group or component.

Stunning models of an equally stunning town - a visit to Getaria

Back in May, we announced the winners of the 2012 Model Your Town Competition, Josetxo Perez Fernandez and Pedro Domecq Aguirre, who modeled the beautiful town of Getaria, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

Sketchup 7.1 for architectural visualization - beginners guide

Among the numerous exotic travel mementos on her navel and sucked on it, it wasn't in any way, be it funny back in 2003. You will be able to find a guy sitting down outside a stall.

Truckee architect presents at SketchUp Basecamp

With more than 30 million new users in just the past year, SketchUp continues to call on the expertise of longtime Truckee architect Nick Sonder.

October 2012

Google Sketchup for Building Professionals

This seminar is open to the public and offers up to 6.5 continuing education hours to architects and 6.5 PDHs to professional engineers in most states, including Wisconsin.

Free SketchUp Screen Recorder

SketchUp is an awesome program for creating 3D models and buildings. Whether you want to create a speed art video, or share some tips in a tutorial, screen recording SketchUp has never been as easy as it is now – thanks to Ezvid.

SoB generator SketchUp plugin

This is a simple Sick of Beige case 3D Model generating plugin for SketchUp. It allows you to generate a 3D model with just a few clicks

SimLab Composer 2013

SimLab Soft has two products relevant to SketchUp users: SimLab 3D PDF Exporter for SketchUp and SimLab Composer (which also includes this feature). SimLab 3D PDF Exporter does what it says: exports a PDF file viewable in 3D - which you can also insert into a html page.

Spread3D 1.2 has been released!

Spread3D 1.2 has been released! Many new features are available. Spread3D Plugin For SketchUp: store objects positions and orientations in SketchUp and replay the animation in Spread3D. Free plugin for SketchUp

General SketchUp Resources

Note that with the acquision of SketchUp by Trimble, many of these below links may soon be deprecated and changed. We will strive to keep everything on this page updated as much as possible.

Create Google Sketchup files that can be printed on a 3D printer

Before I ever had access to, or knew what a 3D printer was I used sketchup for various reasons to build things, and while I know there are better programs to use to build 3D designs its simplicity mixed with my experience covered all of my possible 3D needs.

Creating a plan of your SketchUp model in Layout

Creating a plan in LayOut is a snap. In this tutorial we will take a pre-formed model, apply a Section Cut and create a Plan Scene for display in LayOut.

Sunglass Takes Its Browser-Based 3D Modeling Platform Out Of Beta, Keys In On Communication

Sunglass, a company that made its private beta debut back at TechCrunch Disrupt New York, is announcing its official, wide public launch today.

Google SketchUp 8 Certification

Brainmeasures is a leading online certification and employment testing company which has helped millions of people achieve their goals by giving them the platform to showcase their knowledge and skills to prospective employers.

Live SketchUp Classes & Learning Resources

SketchUp, the free 3D modeling software is one of my favorite woodworking tools. It doesn’t cut joints or finish projects, but it helps me make sure the joints I cut are in the right places, and the experience building a project on the computer screen first makes valuable shop time more efficient and error free.

Shaderlight heads to SketchUp 3D Basecamp 2012

Next week sees some of the Shaderlight team returning to Colarado for the fourth ever SketchUp 3D Basecamp. The three day event attracts SketchUp fans from all over the world and is one that we wouldn't want to miss.

Urban 3D modeling with Sketchup

When the developers of Google Earth made it possible for anyone to send models of real buildings for its 3D world map, they probably had people like Steve Cline in mind.

September 2012

LumenRT is a gate to a new World of emotions! Architecture is all about emotions

Marcin Rybak is a Polish Designer and Architect with over 14 years of experience in this industry. In this interview he explains how LumenRT revolutionized his approach to Architecture, and helped him sell his designs faster and more effectively.

WalkAbout3D Real-time SketchUp Walk-throughs in Stereo 3D

The program WalkAbout3D is an interesting software that acts as a real-time walk-through type of viewer for SketchUp and it comes with stereoscopic 3D support as well. The software offers you an intuitive and easy to use full-screen interface where you can explore projects made with SketchUp

SketchUp Tips Hand – 3D Basecamp Registration

Registration for SketchUp’s upcoming 3D Basecamp opened earlier this week. SketchUp’s own Aidan Chopra said Basecamp half-sold-out in the first two hours of registration. There are still a few dozen spots left, but he doesn’t expect them to last through the weekend.

A New Maintenance Release for SketchUp 8

The folks at SketchUp have just released a new maintenance release of SketchUp 8 today. It contains some bug fixes including one that appeared when Apple pushed an update for Safari. But the main thing you'll notice is a change in the icons.

A brand new brand for SketchUp

Glance at the masthead of this blog and you'll know something's up. Our new graphic identity is only the most obvious of the changes we've made in SketchUp 8 M4. It's unusual for us to do four maintenance releases between major versions, but then, it's been a bit of an unusual year, hasn't it?

Getting Started in Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a FREE, easy to use, web-based, 3D modeling application geared toward kids in K-12, but anyone can use it to make handy and fun objects that can be printed using a 3D printer.

Build Your Own Triple Monitor Wood Mount and Surround Yourself with Screens

This inexpensive triple monitor stand is a sturdy and attractive mounting solution for your desk. All you need are some basic carpentry skills to make your own version.

Novedge Webinar Series 54: Creating Better Renderings for Client Presentations with iRender nXt

How to use SketchUp and IRender nXt to produce photorealistic renderings from 3D designs. Learn the work flow for creating a full set of interior and exterior, daytime and night-time renderings of 3D designs for client presentations.

SketchUp Pro for Landscape Architecture

SketchUp Pro is software for creating and presenting professional 3D models. Landscape Architecture firms use SketchUp Pro to quickly and effectively communicate 3D ideas and information, enhancing collaboration, reducing inefficiencies and solving design problems.

Sketchup with Del Monte

Food meets art at Del Monte's unique engagement initiative, interestingly called Sketchup contest. Through the activity, the processed food and beverages brand gives consumers a chance to discover the artist in them with the help of Del Monte's colourful and delicious range of sauces.

August 2012

e-on-software-intros-LumenRT-3

e-on software of Oregon, the makers of Vue series rendering software for digital nature, have announced the immediate availability of LumenRT 3 Review. LumenRT is a rendering plugin product for SketchUp and works on both Windows and Mac, in both the free and pro versions of SketchUp

Ron Paulk's Super Mobile Woodshop is Complete, and He's Posted the Sketchup Plans for Free Download

When last we looked in on Washington-based builder Ron Paulk, he was on the verge of completing his kick-ass Mobile Woodshop. Contained inside a 1,000-cubic-foot box truck, Paulk's comprehensive design ingeniously incorporates every major power tool.

The sketchup Showcase

SketchUp played a key role in helping me design and develop the Street and Park Courses for X Games 17. I used SketchUp for the conceptual design process, structural engineering of the support structure, material estimation, construction documents, branding and to assist with field measurements and support.

Build 3D models for free with SketchUp

SketchUp was a Google product until recently; it's now part of Trimble. Google's ownership, plus a free-to-use version of the application has made it popular with millions of people and, fortunately, there's still a free version.

Arts Council will hold a hands-on workshop using SketchUp

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Arts Council will hold a hands-on workshop using the SketchUp program for 3D modeling in October and November

July 2012

Madrid SketchUp Plugin Conference

SKETCHUP PLUGIN CONFERENCE will take place later this summer. It will take place in Madrid (Spain), on 5th, 6th and 7th September, 2012 at Hotel Confortel Pio XII.

Cubify Invent: affordable design tool created just for 3D printing

There are plenty of design tools out there from SketchUp to Autodesk that can be used to create 3D-printable models. But none are really created from the ground up with additive manufacturing in mind.

Frank Gehry, Tech Entrepreneur: The Starchitect's R&D Firm Debuts Cloud-Based Design Software GTeam

Gehry Technologies introduces GTeam, a cloud-based, 3D modeling, file-sharing, and project collaboration platform that can run on any Web-enabled device.

Why did Trimble buy SketchUp, and why did Google sell?

It’s funny, my first reaction to the Trimble buys SketchUp news was that it was some kind of spoof, and I checked the link and site closely.

SketchUp Exporter

Big news for our SketchUp users: thanks to Alex Schreyer, we now have a plugin to export 3D models directly form SketchUp to Sketchfab.

June 2012

Next Limit Technologies Releases Maxwell Render Suite 2.7

Next Limit Technologies is delighted to announce the release of Maxwell Render Suite version 2.7.

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3-D Design for Idiots: An Interview With Tinkercad Founder Kai Backman

Think 3-D design requires specialized software and an MFA? Think again.Tinkercad, the brainchild of former Google engineer Kai Backman, is making it something anyone can do.

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Acquisitions Accelerate BIM for Field Work

Today, another big provider of BIM (building information modeling) software was acquired, driving home the importance of BIM at the jobsite for the construction industry. This morning.

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Google Sketchup as an Urban Homesteading Tool

Previous runs either did not work (chickens squeezed out and flew over) or were hideously ugly. I resolved to design a run that was both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Inspired by A-Frame cabins of the 60s Kelly and I came up with this idea:

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Here's why Google got rid of SketchUp

We were surprised when non-CAD-vendor Google bought SketchUp, but then learned they wanted it to populate Map and Earth with 3D buildings, first as simple extrusions and then with bitmaps pasted on the sides. The problem was that it involved manual labour and so coverage was spotty.

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Can Your 4 Year Old Make Google SketchUp Masterpieces?

According to his Architect Dad, Anthony Rigg, 4-year old Jed is no prodigy. He just really likes playing with blocks.

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Find the best SketchUp projects in the new SketchUp Showcase

The tool behind these great models, of course, is Google SketchUp. SketchUp is an amazing (free!) software tool to allow you create 3D models, and you can view thousands of those models in the Google 3D Warehouse.

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IGMA Summer Conference Features NREL Presentation

The Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) Summer Technical Conference continued today with meetings of the Glass Safety Awareness Council and the IGMA Certification.

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Kolbe adds Sketch-Up models to include Ultra Folding Door

Kolbe's Folding Doors can accommodate up to eight panels on each side, which fold back against each other to create expansive openings that span up to 45 feet.

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Chaos Group Celebrates V-Ray's 10th Anniversary

Sofia, Bulgaria, 29 May 2012 – In 2012 Chaos Group celebrates 10 years since the first release of V-Ray. Inspired by artists' imaginative creations and the need for faster and photorealistic rendering, in 2002 Vlado Koylazov and Peter Mitev launched V-Ray for 3ds Max. Ten years later the Chaos Group portfolio comprises a comprehensive set of rendering solutions for the visualization industry.

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Shaderlight Cloud Rendering scoops Best in Show award at AIA

Shaderlight Cloud Rendering powered by Limitless Computing is a new innovation not yet launched but it's already wowing the architectural world.

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May 2012

SB2 announced today the launch of Render[in] 2, a fully-integrated,

Render[in] 2: New features

Import background image: With Render[in] 2, users can import a background image for scenes. This new function makes it possible to insert the model in its real site and thus, show it in its future environment.

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Brands new RealFlow Product Packs !

RealFlow is a diverse product, suitable for both small and large-scale projects and their customers range from freelancers to some of the industry's largest post-production studios.
RealFlow Product Manager Gustavo Sanchez says:

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RealFlow 2013's FIRST OFFICIAL technical preview at FMX this week!

RealFlow will be attending FMX (Europe's leading conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia) and will be hosting a workshop on Wednesday 16:00 - 17:00 where they will be demonstrating some of the great new features which will be available in RealFlow 2013.

This will be the FIRST OFFICIAL technical preview of RealFlow 2013 which is already heralded as a MAJOR new release, due out this fall.

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ARTVPS and Limitless Computing Introduce Google SketchUp Rendering to the Cloud

Please see below the latest news from ArtVPS announcing the launch today of ‘Shaderlight Cloud Rendering powered by Limitless Computing’. This is the first joint innovation for ArtVPS and Limitless Computing and is set to revolutionize rendering for SketchUp users – delivering the highest quality rendering in fast time and at low cost.

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The CGSociety becomes the FIRST online course provider to sign up to the RealFlow Certification Program

Next Limit is delighted to announce that the CGSociety has become a fully Certified RealFlow Course Provider and will be the first to offer Certified RealFlow courses online. Next Limit's new Certification Program for RealFlow has been designed to develop an even closer collaboration with RealFlow course providers, helping them inspire the designers and TDs of the future.

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Trimble talks UAVs, tripods, and Tekla

SketchUp just in the last month and its recent acquisition history of major buys like Tekla, the company has shown itself to be aggressive and opportunistic. Catching up with oil, chemical, and gas market manager Tim Lemmon and survey optics portfolio manager Todd Steiner at SPAR International, there was no shortage of topics to cover.

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Tips for Adopting 3D Modeling Technology for Foodservice

At the 2012 annual conference for FCSI The Americas April 19-21 in Kansas City, a panel presentation on building information modeling (BIM) (with brand names like Revit, SketchUp Pro and Autokitchen) brought up an interesting point: To BIM or not to BIM? That is the question.

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Turn Photos Into 3D Models With Autodesk 123D Catch

With the 3D printing revolution officially under way, the problem remains of how to get actually get a digitized 3D representation of something. You could start from scratch, using something like Google Sketchup, but I'd be lying if I told you it's easy to create anything reasonably complex. Instead, it would be great if you could just take some pictures of a real life object, then somehow auto-magically transform that into a 3D model.

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3D world takes shape

Imagine a world where pretty much any solid object you can think of could be turned into reality. Thanks to 3D printing technology, that world already exists and the possibilities are bounded only by imagination.

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IES has sights on a greener future and global domination

Where is it based?
Our headquarters are in Glasgow but we also have offices in Ireland, the US, Canada, India and Australia.

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Build versus buy: One company's decision to go it alone

You might be familiar with deviantART as that place you go to find awesome wallpapers or Team Fortress 2 fan art. It is, primarily, a community for artists and creative types—people who like to draw and paint and sketch. But in early 2010, the site's developers wanted to try something new.

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Dualstrustion Ball in Cube

In order to print an object from a 3D printer you need a 3D model file, generally an .STL file. Where can you find .STL files? Three places. You can make one yourself, using 3D modeling software like AutoCAD or Google Sketchup. You can scan an object in the real

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Taking Stock: Appointments, Promotions, Achievements

Oscar M. Castaneda has joined the Wausau-based architectural and engineering firm Becher Hoppe as Civil AutoCAD designer and drafter. Castaneda is experienced in civil engineering, architectural design and construction management. In addition, he is well-versed in ISO 9001, ResCheck 4.4.1, AutoCAD, Revit Architecture, SketchUp and MS Project software programs.

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Mystery as Google offloads SketchUp 3D drawing tool

Google has decided that the 3D modelling business is non-core and has sold its SketchUp tool to spatial specialist Trimble. SketchUp was a free download and offers users the chance to make 3D models of just about anything, either by building them from scratch

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SketchUp buy adds to Trimble's dimension

Trimble Navigation Ltd said its proposed acquisition of Google Inc's 3D modeling software SketchUp will add more depth to its product offering, likely bumping up its 2013 revenue.

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Limitless Computing and ArtVPS Partnership to Launch at AIA

BOULDER, Colo. and CAMBRIDGE, England, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Limitless Computing Inc.®, a leading provider of 3D mobile Augmented Reality, and ArtVPS, a pioneering developer of Shaderlight, the 3D rendering software

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April 2012

Trimble to Enhance its Office-to-Field Platform with the Acquisition of Google's SketchUp 3D Modeling Platform

On April 26, 2012, Trimble announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SketchUp® from Google. SketchUp is one of the most popular 3D modeling tools in the world.

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Using SketchUp for interior design

I love hearing about how companies are using SketchUp in their work more and more often, andAlexander James International is a great example of that. Recently featured in the Google SketchUp Blog, AJI is an interior design firm that specializes in hotels and leisure.

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SightSpace 3D for Google SketchUp Now Available for Kindle Fire

Limitless Computing Inc.®, a leading provider of 3D mobile Augmented Reality, today announced that its SightSpace mobile application for Google SketchUp™ is now available for Kindle Fire users through the Amazon.com Appstore for Android at a list price of $14.99.

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Google adds fancier 3D landmarks to Maps

Google has updated its Google Maps application with more detailed 3D models of major landmarks across the world.

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Creative designers mix architecture with art

There’s no question that creating buildings requires creativity, but ask professionals where they draw the line between art and architecture, and the answers are as mixed as the mediums.

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Shaderlight now available from Dynascape

DynaSCAPE Software, a provider of technology solutions to the landscape industry, is the latest company to become an official reseller of the rendering plug-in to Google SketchUp, Shaderlight.

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SpaceClaim Announces SpaceClaim Engineer 2012

SpaceClaim ( www.spaceclaim.com ), the leader in easy and accessible 3D CAD for engineering, mechanical design, and manufacturing, announced today the immediate availability of SpaceClaim Engineer 2012.

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Readington students focus on innovation and design

Designing a solar house, building a structure to withstand an earthquake or building a dragster are not commonly what most people think middle-schoolers learn.

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FSX Armilla LEGA X Scenery

Armilla LEGA X. This project is a recreation of the home base of "Ala 78" pilots of Spanish Air Force Helicopter Pilot School Base located at Armilla, Granada (Andalucia, Spain).

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Five Geek Projects

At the end of last week I slipped on a wet floor, did a wild, balletic (or so I thought) attempt to recover, and wrenched my knee and leg.

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Getaria a finalist in Google Earth's Model your Town contest

The Basque City of Getaria was one of five cities worldwide selected for The Google Model Your Town Competition, a contest in which contestants use a program called Google SketchUp to create images of their cities and submit them to Google for consideration.

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Integrated Design Group Adds Eleven

Integrated Design Group, an architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on data center design, announced today that it has added eleven members to its Boston and Dallas offices. New employees join the architectural, engineering, and project management groups.

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Evansville one of six finalists in Google's 3D Initiative

An Evansville native spent more than a year making a digital replica of his hometown for nothing but pride. Now, Randall Crane, 47, is looking for help so his work wins $25,000 prize for local schools from Google Inc., and win the Internet search engine’s “Model Your Town” contest.

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