Impressed by Google Sketchup

// July 1st, 2008 // Tech // 12,459 views

Google Sketch 3d Design

I’ve been looking around for a no-frills 3D CAD-like design program that’s fairly easy to use and preferably free. Yes, I have worked with the likes of Visio, IntelliCAD, etc, etc before, but they normally chow system resources and designing anything in it can take up quite some time (read complexity).

Enter Google’s Sketchup offering.

Google SketchUp is software that you can use to create, modify and share 3D models. We designed SketchUp’s simplified toolset, guided drawing system and clean look-and-feel to help you concentrate on two things: getting your work done as efficiently as possible, and having fun while you’re doing it.

That’s particularly true – I’m having great fun, and it works. You’re up and running within 5 minutes (they include a 15 step tutorial) and off designing your next home, kitchen renovation plans or office building.

There’s also a wealth of resources, tutorials and ready-made objects available from the Google 3D Warehouse an updates via the blog. Also worthwhile downloading the Bonus Packs – pre-drawn SketchUp models of useful objects like furniture, cars and trees. You can use them in your own models to add detail much more quickly than if you had to build them yourself.

Worth checking out if you’re interested in that sort of thing.

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