Google has announced the release of Google SketchUp 6 at the 2007 Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, CA as final out of beta version, which will further forward Google’s effort to create a fully-detailed 3D markup on Google Earth with user-generated modeling. Google SketchUp is 3D software modeling tool that combines an intelligent drawing system that streamlines and simplifies 3D design, no matter the 3D models are simple or complex, conceptual or realistic. Google SketchUp when uses together with Google Earth has added advantage of able to add real-world coordinates and share the models with the world using the Google 3D Warehouse.

Google SketchUp

Google SketchUp 6.0.277 enables simpler, more realistic modeling with the addition of new features and innovations such as:

Photo Match – Quickly and easily trace a photo to create a 3D model of the 2D photographed object or match an existing model with a still 2D background photo for near-instant modeling.

Styles – You can treat it as theme. Styles is new collections of display settings including Watermarks (2D images behind or in front of models) and Sketchy Effects (rendered as though drawn by hand) enable users to create 3D models to fit their professional or personal needs.

Watermarks – Protect the 3D models or drawings by placing logos or other graphics that blend with the SketchUp drawings.

Fog – Add atmospheric haze to a model with the new fog display.

3D Text – Create or convert text to 2D outlines, filled surfaces, or extruded 3D objects.

LayOut Beta (available in Google SketchUp Pro version only) – An innovative presentation/publishing application enables users to create professional design presentations and high-resolution documents with little additional work. By embedding SketchUp models in a LayOut document, professionals can create compelling presentations that enable models to remain interactive and modifiable.

Integration with 3D Warehouse and Google Earth – Google SketchUp and Pro 6 now supports Google Earth and 3D Warehouse without plugin or add-on.

Enhanced API – Enables third parties to create custom applications to supplement the functionality of Google SketchUp.

Two-point perspective viewing

Improved screen and print quality

Download Google SketchUp 6 (free) for Windows: GoogleSketchUpWEN.exe
Download Google SketchUp Pro 6 for Windows: GoogleSketchUpProWEN.exe
Download Google SketchUp 6 (free) for Mac OS X: GoogleSketchUpMEN.dmg
Download Google SketchUp Pro 6 for Mac OS X: GoogleSketchUpProMEN.dmg

Update: SketchUp now owned by Trimble

Windows version of Google SketchUp and SketchUp Pro requires Windows 2000 or XP and Microsoft .NET 1.1 framework. Beside, Windows Vista is not fully supported currently.

All owners and users of previous version of Google SketchUp Pro i.e. SketchUp Pro 5 and those bought under @Last can upgrade to latest version of SketchUp Pro for free. However, old serial number or license code cannot be used on SketchUp Pro v6. To convert or upgrade the license, visit http://www.sketchup.com/upgrade to launch SketchUp Upgrade Wizard to get a free new serial number for SketchUp Pro 6.

If you having problem entering the serial number or license information into Google SketchUp Pro 6, such as getting error “Sketchup License Registry – You entered an invalid key. Sketchup cannot run as a full version under these circumstances.”, you may need to contact Google SketchUp Support.

Once you download and install Google SketchUp, it’s time to heed the call of Google to create hot super models in the form of 3D models for Google Earth.

Update: Google SketchUp upgraded to version 7.

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