Creating 3D Models with Google SketchUp

If your company is using Google Earth for Enterprise (or, for that matter, the personal version of Google Earth), you may be interested in one of Google's more recent software acquisitions. Google SketchUp is a 3D modeling program that lets designers and artchitects create 3D models of buildings, vehicles, and the like, and then place them within a Google Earth map. You can use Google SketchUp to plan home additions, housing developments, building projects, and the like. (Figure 38.3 shows a housing development rendered in 3D with SketchUp.)

Google offers two versions of Google SketchUp. The basic version is free for personal use; SketchUp Pro is a more powerful tool for design professionals and costs $495. Both versions include thousands of pre-drawn components, let you create full 3D models with real-time shadow casting, and let you apply color and texture directly to your models. The Pro version lets you print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution, create animations and walkthroughs, and utilize all the expected 3D file formats (DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML, and FBX). Learn more at sketchup.google.com.