MAKE: Blog: Sketchup and the web 3.D future

Sketchup and the web 3.D future

We love SketchUp - at Macworld 2006 we gave it "Best of Show" and on Pi day 3/14 (ironic!) they were acquired by Google - congrats gang! Link.

Download the free trial here and get making! - Link.

Pictured here, a very cool house drawing from Alvaro Carnicero from the "Sketchup" tag on Flickr - Link.

MAKE Crystal ball - Sketchup will soon go free (as opposed to $495) and all 3D objects will be searchable, indexed and have the ability to be added to Google base for purchase, fabrication and more. In late 2006 Google will acquire Linden Labs, makers of the 3D virtual world Second Life and begin to index the world's virtual knowledge. Using Google Earth, Sketchup, In-world-Google video, Google base and Virtual - Froogle for virtual world sales, a new 3.D crazy will hit the tech scene and I'll finally be able to wear my homemade LCD Google goggles all the time.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Mar 16, 2006 12:51 PM
Toolbox, Virtual Worlds | Permalink | Comments (9)

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Free SketchUp and loads of people importing models into Google Earth? Drool.

Posted by: fungus_amungus on March 16, 2006 at 9:41 AM

Thank you so much to choose my photo!
I think that I´m able to improve it! I´ll show you in my blog.

Posted by: ALVARO-CARNICERO on March 16, 2006 at 9:55 AM

November 15th, man. November 15th.

Posted by: qDot on March 16, 2006 at 11:13 AM

ironically, i independently discovered sketchup this morning and was already lamenting my trial period expiration--i can't say enough good things about the program. i'm just a hobbiest, and though i've played with maya and 3DSM before, i always gave up after a few hours of frustration. the sketchup interface, however, is perfectly geared to casual modelling. i've been really happy with what i can quickly create.

Posted by: gosh_d on March 16, 2006 at 1:31 PM

I'm liking the general flow of this.

The web becomes truly accessible to all when we start processing information based in a manner that doesn't require reading.

Posted by: farlane on March 16, 2006 at 2:39 PM

Hey! I just did an illustration for my friend's record label using SketchUp, check out the "Unity of Three" cover art. Click on the thumbnail.

http://dobox.dajis.net/site/?page_id=3

Posted by: stevecooley on March 16, 2006 at 9:31 PM

is this true about google and linden labs or is this simply a prediction? That would be very exciting if it happened.

Posted by: twiddler on March 17, 2006 at 8:03 AM

just a prediction.

Posted by: philliptorrone on March 17, 2006 at 8:28 AM

will it really be free? or is that just a prediction...

maybe it'll be like google earth: the basic, free version, and the more expensive, but better version. thoughts, anyone?

Posted by: benjiwenjifoofoo on March 18, 2006 at 6:45 AM

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