Google expands market some more
Apr 29
Unlike the likes of Microsoft or Apple, the Google strategy has always seemed to be to swim around consumer markets, scooping users up in basic but important peripheries. Almost seems as though they will come full circle one of these days and provide us with the free and all inclusive Google OS as it is fabled. Their name certainly has said it all from the get go, so it’s not surprising.
Google SketchUp is Google’s newly released end-user and much limited version of an @Last (which google acquired last March) 3D modeling software title of the same name, SketchUp Pro, which retails for (US) $495.
The prog is unrestricted for personal use with no registration required, but the main catch is that it only exports for use with Google Earth mapping application (rather than any standard 3D formats) or a standard 2D image (.png is default format), which seems is hoped that you will map your environment, add them to Google Earth and make them public, thereby growing the 3D world within Google Earth courtesy of bored or intrigued home users with a lot of time to spare. Clever way to get free content if you ask me.
The software is straightforward and is geared for the common user to get a fast start on making a 3D mockup of their environment. It loads up with a 15 minute tutorial on how to fully take advantage of the program, and the help available during use is nothing short of exceptional for a free 3D modeling application.
All in all, this freeware offering is no less impressive than other Google releases, and serves to further prove that a symbiotic relationship can be achieved between software provider and end-user. It is, to say the least, fun to play with, if you are the sort who would enjoy trying to model their own home, neighbors’, subdivision… city… in 3D and play around with it. Oops, there goes some more of my free time.
Google SketchUp Website…