Sketch up – The Designer’s Tool

With more and more software applications getting developed every now and then; interior designing, decoration and architecture have come a long way. Among the numerous computer programs available these days, SketchUp, is clearly a favorite among designers for its wide range of applications. EXIN Projects brings for you all the information that one needs to know before starting to work on SketchUp.

SketchUp is a 3D modeling computer program for a wide range of drawing application such as architecture, interior design, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. It is available in a freeware version, by the name of ‘SketchUp Make’, and a paid version with additional functionality, ‘SketchUp Pro’.

It features an online open source library of free model assemblies, ‘3D Warehouse’, to which users may contribute models. The models can be downloaded right into the program without having anything to be saved onto your computer’s storage. File sizes of the models can be up to 100 MB. Anyone can make, modify and reupload content to and from the 3D warehouse free of charge.

The program includes drawing layout functionality, allows surface rendering in variable styles, supports third party plug in programs hosted on a site called ‘Extension Warehouse’ to provide other capabilities and enables placement of its models with ‘Google Earth’.

It was first released on August 2, 2000, and has since then released various versions of it throughout the years, with the eighth version being released on September 1, 2010.

All the tools that you need to create all kinds of 3D images and designs, from woodworking blueprints to urban planning designs, SketchUp is always ready to help. With multiple template options and an intuitive interface, this program lets you direct all of your energy into creating and not into fumbling through complicated menu options.