SketchUp Pro

2019: Program Description

According to August 2019, SketchUp Pro is a program for modeling relatively simple three-dimensional objects - buildings, furniture, interior.

According to the developer, the main feature of the program is the almost complete absence of pre-settings windows. All geometric characteristics during or immediately after the end of the tool are specified by the keyboard in the Value Control Box field, which is located in the lower right corner of the Stage, to the right of the Measurement Panel. Another key feature is the Push/Pull tool ("Pull/Push"), which allows any plane to "extend" to the side, creating new side walls as it moves. You can move the plane along a predefined curve by using the Follow Me tool. The lack of support for displacement maps is due to the product's focus on a non-professional target audience.

Trimble Navigation also noted the following features of SketchUp Pro:

• Support plugins for export, visualization, creation of physical effects (rotation, motion, interaction of created objects with each other, etc.)
• Supports creating macros in Ruby and calling them from the menu. Macros can automate repetitive actions. The function of downloading and using numerous ready-made macros provided by other users is available.
• Support for creating "components" - model elements that can be created, then used many times, and then edited - and changes made to the component will be reflected in all places where it is used.
• A library of workspace content (models), materials, and styles that you can add to or download from the Web.
• A tool to view the model in a section view and add leaders to the model with visible dimension symbols in the drawing style
• Ability to work with layers
• Ability to create dynamic objects (for example, open a cabinet door by clicking the pointer)
• Ability to create object sections
• Ability to work with scenes (scene includes camera position and rendering mode), and animate transitions from scene to scene
• Support the creation of models of real objects and buildings
  • Specify actual physical dimensions, in meters or inches
  • Model inspection mode "in the first person," with control as in the corresponding 3D games
  • It is possible to set geographically reliable shadows according to the specified latitude, longitude, time of day and year.
  • Integration with Google Earth
  • The ability to add the surface of the earth to the model and adjust its shape - landscape