(My) History of SketchUp
Just reading the wiki page of SketchUp will give you the history of the software developed by a startup called @Last Software, purchased by Google for its great building maker for Google Earth and then acquired by Trimble. So many great tools have been acquired by the great 3 of Apple, Google and Microsoft. So often these tools become apps in app stores, tools in the core offering of the business’s ecosystem or get integrated into an existing app. So why not for SketchUp?
SketchUp had an adventurous journey. The why of SketchUp for @Last Software was to create a 3D modelling tool that was both powerful and easy to use. The push/pull tool is a great example of a function that allows a 1st time user to draw a shape, extrude it and be amazed how quickly they created a 3D object. The follow-me tool takes this a whole step further.
The why for Google was to allow anyone in the world to populate the earth on Google Earth with buildings. The leap here is that @Last Software believed that anyone can be a designer and draw a 3D object. Google believed that anyone could be an observant architect and draw buildings and upload them to Google Earth. Google then transitioned when its satellites and algorithms could piece 2D photos into 3D terrain so that it didn’t need the public to draw out real-life buildings to create a virtual Google Earth.
Trimble acquired SketchUp from Google and has built out the product more than ever before. Trimble is a very different business from Google or @Last Software. Their will resonate with most of us. We exist to help make the world work better. How they do that is by creating technology which enables jobs to get done more precisely and accurately so you can build, construct, grow and move the things we need to live our lives and build future communities.
It’s interesting to note here the correlation between Trimble and @Last Software. Both had a vision for servicing humankind by creating something better or making something existing work, better. @Last Software found 3D modelling tools too complex and created SketchUp. Trimble acquired this and made the software better for designing, visualising, costing, scheduling, building and maintaining physical assets through virtual 3D software.
My 1st encounter was in 2008 towards the middle of my bachelor’s degree in Architecture & Building Engineering. Frustrated with the lack of visualisation strength within AutoCAD at the time, SketchUp was a wonderful alternative and became a favourite tool on the virtual toolbelt. The real strength of the software showed itself when I transitioned from working in the commercial building industry to the Conference & Event Industry.
SketchUp’s ease of conceptual iteration created many great conversations with clients during status meetings and the visual strength of designing with the client in the room allowed them a sneak peek into the kitchen, and for many, this was a comfortable experience as they seldom are required to think in 3D.
SketchUp is now a staple amongst many other tools in my day to day workflow. Through the distribution partners of Trimble SketchUp, I am happy to say that I work closely with SA Buildingpoint SA and iRender to train people how to use SketchUp.
Need help to know if SketchUp is the right tool for you? Reach out to us via phone or email and we will gladly point you in the right direction.
