2D and 3D CAD program

SketchUp Pro is a graphic design software to build 2D and 3D models for both professional and personal use. The program is popular among architects, engineers, and interior designers. SketchUp comes with a free version that is only available online, whereas SketchUp Pro is both available online and in a desktop application.

AutoCAD, FreeCAD, and LibreCAD are other drafting applications, with AutoCAD often considered the industry standard. FreeCAD and LibreCAD are free home design software solutions whereas AutoCAD requires a paid subscription. AutoCAD, FreeCAD, and SketchUp all let you draw in 2D and 3D while LibreCAD only includes 2D functionality.

Is SketchUp Pro free?

SketchUp Pro is not free for professional use. The payment plans are paid annually, however, there’s no option to pay monthly. To view the subscription packages, visit SketchUp’s official website. If you are planning to use SketchUp for personal purposes, a free edition of SketchUp is available online. 

Use a mouse

It is recommended to use a mouse with a scroll wheel to easily use the tools of SketchUp. The orbit, pan, and zoom buttons in the toolbar let you navigate the 3D workspace. You can quickly mimic the navigation commands with a three-button mouse.

You can also hold the scroll button down while moving your mouse to navigate around the model. You can pan the view horizontally and vertically by holding the scroll and shift buttons down at the same time. The scroll button lets you easily zoom in and out of your model.

SketchUp Pro features

Developed by Trimble, SketchUp is available across multiple platforms like Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows devices. Not only is SketchUp Pro widely useable on any platform, but it also comes with a friendly user interface. You can quickly draft designs with keyboard shortcuts, or use the included templates vs starting from scratch. 

Another feature that helps you work more efficiently is the recent files on the homepage of the program. An ‘Open file’ button lets you select a project from your PC. Also on the home screen is your licensing information. Your workspace will appear after you select a template or file to start editing. The ‘File’ tab lets you export, import, open, print, save, etc. 

The toolbars are highly customizable with a drag and drop feature. You can also add or remove tools by right-clicking on the empty space in the toolbar, and a list will appear to let you select and unselect tools. 

In addition to customizable tools, you can change the icon images to either large or small sizes and the sections of the program can be reorganized too. The default tray is a docked window that lets you manage your model. You can expand and minimize the various tabs. The ‘Window’ area in the menu bar lets you add or remove items from the default tray. You can move the default tray around your workspace by dragging and dropping the window. A status bar will be at the bottom of the UI to give you instructions that deliver updates in real-time to let you know what to do next. 

Lastly, you have access to a library of third-party extensions in the Extension Warehouse. Both free and paid extensions are available to install.

Advanced software that is easy

SketchUp Pro has a clean user interface. The status bar gives you tips while you work. Another common command is the push and pull button. Push and pull lets you make 3D structures by pulling faces up. You can push portions of your 3D designs out to remove parts of your structures.

What’s new?

New updates are constantly being added to SketchUp Pro to make the user experience better. SketchUp Pro includes virtual reality technology. An augmented reality mobile viewer lets your drafts interact with the real world.

SketchUp is an easy-to-use yet powerful tool for creating, viewing, and modifying 3D ideas quickly and easily. The program is designed to combine the elegance and spontaneity of pencil sketching with the speed and flexibility of today’s digital media.

Developed for the conceptual stages of design, SketchUp allows for quick and easy 3D form creation, complete with an interface that supports a dynamic, creative exploration of 3D form, material and light. SketchUp combines a compact yet robust tool-set with an intelligent guidance system that streamlines the 3D drawing process.

Some of Sketchup’s features:

• Export models to Google Earth
• Click on a shape and push or pull it to create your desired 3D geometry
• Experiment with color and texture directly on your model
• Real-time shadow casting lets you see exactly where the sun falls as you model
• Select from thousands of pre-drawn components to save time drawing

Sketchup Pro includes:

• Print and export raster images at higher-than-screen resolution
• Access to the following 3D export formats: DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX
• Export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files
• Use the Sandbox Tools and the Film & Stage Tools
• Have access to free email tech support for two years from purchase