Google releases a free version of SketchUp

Google releases a free version of SketchUp

Search engine giants Google is continuing their method of acquiring companies making innovative products and releasing a scaled down version of their primary application for free. They have done it with Urchin by releasing a free version of Google Analytics and they have done it with Picasa and Hello.

The latest in this line is a free version of the SketchUp application, which can be used for creating, viewing, and modifying 3D images. Google acquired the developers of this application @Last Software in March this year.

They are also launching a website called 3D Warehouse where users of this innovative application can store and share their designs and collaborate with other users worldwide. This can result in a whole new community developing 3D designs!

Google has also integrated this application with their existing application Google Earth. Users can now develop models of real life buildings and incorporate it in Google Earth for sharing with users worldwide!

The free version of SketchUp is available for personal usage only. A paid for version of this application with advanced features is available for professionals, such as architects, designers, builders, art directors and game developers.

The currently available version is for the Windows platform though they are working on releasing a Mac OS X version in the future.

Download: SketchUp
Checkout: 3D Warehouse