SketchUp Pro 2018 is a 3D modeling computer program for drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design. It is available as a web-based application, SketchUp Free, and a paid version with additional functionality, SketchUp Pro. SketchUp is owned by Trimble Inc., a mapping surveying and navigation equipment company. The program includes drawing layout functionality, surface rendering in different “styles”, enables placement of its models within Google Earth.
History
@Last Software
SketchUp was developed by startup company @Last Software of Boulder, Colorado, co-founded in 1999 by Brad Schell and Joe Esch.[11][12]
SketchUp was created in August 2000 as a 3D content creation tool and was envisioned as a software program for design professionals.[3]
The program won a Community Choice Award at its first tradeshow in 2000.[13]
Many different 3D and 2D exporters are available in SketchUp for uses such as rendering. This model was made in SketchUp and rendered with Kerkythea.
Google acquired @Last Software on March 14, 2006,[14] attracted by @Last Software’s work developing a plugin for Google Earth.[15][16][17]
On January 9, 2007, Google announced Google SketchUp 6, a free downloadable version of SketchUp, including integrated tools for uploading content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D Warehouse.[18] Google SketchUp Pro 6 introduced a beta version of Google SketchUp LayOut which includes 2D vector tools and page layout tools allowing presentations to be produced without the need for a separate presentation program.[19]
On November 17, 2008, SketchUp 7 was released with integration of SketchUp’s Component Browser with Google 3D Warehouse, LayOut 2 and dynamic components that respond to scaling.[3]
On September 1, 2010, SketchUp 8 was released with model geolocation with Google Maps and Building Maker integration.[20] Mac OS X Tiger was no longer supported.[3] SketchUp version 8 use under Wine has been rated “Gold“.[21]
Geolocation information is always stored in the KMZ file.[22] The building designs themselves are saved in SKP.
Trimble
Trimble Navigation (now Trimble Inc.) acquired SketchUp from Google on June 1, 2012 for an undisclosed sum.[23] In 2013, SketchUp 2013 was released. A new site was provided, Extension Warehouse, hosting plugins and extensions for SketchUp.
