Google SketchUp Review

Google SketchUp is a fairly new software that was created to make drawing in 3D easy.  SketchUp uses lines and shapes, which are what people are used to drawing, to create anything imagined.  Google has created this program, which is a free download off the Internet, in a way that makes 3D modeling understandable to all users. 

As mentioned, SketchUp is a program that can be downloaded off of the Internet.  It is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, and the interfaces look and work nearly the same in both.  There is a professional version of SketchUp available, Google SketchUp Pro, which would benefit architects, production designers, and interior designers because of the ability to exchange files with other software.  The professional version also has the ability to create presentation documents.  A free trial version of SketchUp Pro is available if performing the added features is something the user would like to try before purchasing the software.  

I learned Google SketchUp before I started using AutoCAD, and so far, I prefer Google SketchUp (I have only been using CAD for a couple months).  I find the commands easier to understand because I can see what is being done as I am doing it, so mistakes are easier to catch.  The layout of the program is easier to comprehend, as well.  In Google SketchUp, there is only one command ribbon at the top of the screen.  This ribbon can be expanded to show more commands if desired.  On AutoCAD, there are many different commands, ribbons, and tool bars that make it easier for users to become overwhelmed and frustrated.  Below shows what SketchUp looks like as soon as it is opened.

Below is a link to Google SketchUp’s website. 

 http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html

 This link provides video tutorials that introduce how to use SketchUp.

Similarly to AutoCAD, SketchUp allows users to insert components and objects from the Internet into their drawing.  Say you were creating an office and wanted to use Herman Miller’s Embody Chair as the work chair in the space.  This chair can be imported into your drawing from the components button under the window tab.  Someone else created this chair and allowed their drawing to be copied by others.  There are thousands of furniture pieces, accessories, and objects that have been created by others that anyone can incorporate into their drawing instead of trying to create the object themselves.  It is quite the time saver.  After the object has been inserted into the drawing, if it is too large or too small, it can be re-sized quickly because the object is inserted as a component (many parts grouped together to form one object). 

When creating presentation boards for clients, interior designers include rendered perspectives of the space they are trying to sell.  Rendering by hand can be time consuming, and the smell the makers give off can cause headaches.  SketchUp gives users the opportunity to render their models on the screen and then print off the image when finished.  Rendering of SketchUp is as easy as clicking on the paint bucket, selecting the color desired, and then clicking on the object that needs to be rendered.  This is also a great time saver!

Since I only have experience with the free version of Google SketchUp, I cannot give my opinion on SketchUp Pro.  I believe the free version of SketchUp is a great program for anyone who wants to create 3D models.  It is free, easy to use, and great for just getting your feet wet with 3d modeling.  

Below is a link to Google SketchUp’s website where SketchUp can be downloaded and tutorial videos can be watched.

 

 http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html

 This link provides video tutorials that introduce how to use SketchUp.

http://sketchup.google.com/intl/en/download/index.html

This link will bring you to where you can download SketchUp.