Now that is a download I want….
Google rolled out a free for personal use 3d sketch program today called Google SketchUp. Google SketchUp resulted from Google’s purchase of @Last Software in March.
From Information Week -
Google SketchUp, which is free for personal use, includes simple tools for creating 3D models of a variety of items, including houses, sheds, decks, home additions and woodworking projects. The software comes with a plug in for Google Earth, so items can be posted on the service, which provides satellite views of geographical locations.
In addition, Google launched 3D Warehouse, online storage for work created in SketchUp. The service also enables users to search and share models.
Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., plans to continue selling SketchUp Pro 5 for professional designers. The software costs $495.
From Sketchup’s website -
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
So what’s the difference between Google SketchUp (free) and SketchUp Pro 5? Lots, actually:
- Pro users are able to print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution.
- Pro users have access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX.
- Pro users are able to export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files.
- Pro users get the Sandbox Tools (for organic modeling of terrain, etc) and the Film & Stage Tools (for pre-viz work).
- Pro users have access to free email tech support for two years after they buy SketchUp Pro.
- Finally, only SketchUp Pro is approved for commercial use; the Free version is licensed for personal use only.
Understand, I think 3D sketching / modeling programs have a uber high geek value - i.e. those that care REALLY care but most have no idea and do not really care. By Google doing this though it may make a few people get interested enough to mess around a bit and I would bet that all the middle projects on Hurricane Katrina next year will now include 3D models of the the descructions / damage of key building in New Orleans. Fortunately the free version can not render movies so it will be still images, as I was not looking forward to seeing rendered movies of the French Quarter flooding over and over again on Ifilms.
I was not kidding about not wanting to see New Orleans flooded and destroyed over and over. I do think that this program may make a few people mess around with 3D stuff and that is always good. Bottomline I am for people being creative, even if it is doing stuff that does not interest me - i.e. rendered Katrina models for science projects. What I would like to see though is Ray Nagin driving a bus out of / through the lower 9th ward before Katrina, that could be funny.
Bottomline this is a program I will definately download and play with both on the desktop and the laptop. I have messed with Poser and Renderman in the past and used Corel 3D and extrustion tools in Illustrator and Freehand, so I am not new to 3D, but this could actually be fun. If anything good comes from the work we will post it. If nothing good comes we will not take your time with bad renderings…that is what CNN is for.
You stated that you have worked in Corel & Illustrator. Is sketchup for businesses or for the home user? Would it replace Corel, Photoshop & Illustrator?
Comment by
amy — 8/14/2006 @ 1:10 pm
Amy,
From what I can see it is a home / hobby tool at best. It has some nice features, but it is limited. For quick 3D messing around (testing) it is ok, but for real 3D work and modeling it will not / does not replace powerful tools.
I would say it is good for school use, personal (local) projects, but not anything that will be viewed or analyzed by a large or professional project. The lack of movie export and high rez output are the two big limiters for me.
Thanks for reading and posting. Come by anytime.
Comment by
admin — 8/14/2006 @ 1:54 pm