Interesting new tool from the folks at Google. If Sketchup follows the evolutionary line of Google Maps, we can expect to see some interesting mash-ups in coming weeks. We are looking forward to some flowchart models that can be annotated with URL and comments. But until then….
“The modeling tool SketchUp has long been a
favorite of designers, architects, and hobbyists who have used
the powerful program to render 3D images of their ideas. In
March, search-engine giant and emerging software powerhouse
Google acquired SketchUp developer @Last Software. Last week,
Google
SketchUp was quietly released to the public. The program
has been made completely free for personal use, and it
includes tools for integrating your creations with Google
Earth or uploading them to Google's 3D
Warehouse gallery.
Google is establishing a
pattern of acquiring software companies and releasing free
versions of their programs. As with Keyhole (now Google
Earth) and Picasa,
Google hopes to make SketchUp popular with its massive Web
audience. We get very cool free software, and Google gains new
users, loyal customers, and a potential avalanche of
third-party content added to Google Earth.
It might
appear at first that the free version of SketchUp has been
watered down, but you'll find most of its same functionality
in an easier-to-use interface. The creative possibilities are
endless, and included video tutorials will get you up and
modeling in no time. Not only can Google SketchUp create
detailed structural models, it can also be used as a more
general conceptual visualization tool for everything from
games and art projects to work flows and engineering.
Take Google SketchUp for a spin, and let us know what
you think. Then see
what others have to say about Google's latest software or
add
a review of your own.
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Peter Butler
Senior Editor, CNET Download.com
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