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Use Add Location and access satellite imagery and terrain maps for real life data 3D building context with Add Location With the new 3D Buildings import function in Add Location , you can now pull existing buildings directly into your SketchUp model in just a few clicks. It’s seamless, accurate, and works across Desktop, iPad, and Web—no plugins, no guesswork, no relying on satellite images or site photos. But this isn’t just about dropping in geometry. It’s about gaining immediate, meaningful context—understanding how your design interacts with its surroundings, the site, and the city itself. Alongside high-resolution satellite imagery and terrain, this upgrade gives you access to critical information that can help you make your design choices. Why it matters: Stronger client communication : Show exactly how your design fits into its real-world setting, surrounded by neighbouring buildings. This realistic backdrop makes ideas easier to grasp, builds trust, and accelerates approvals. Smarter site and urban planning : See your structure in context from day one. Test massing, streetscape impact, and integration with the neighbourhood before you’ve even started detailed modeling. Early insights for performance : Place your design in its true environment for sun and shadow studies, optimizing daylight and shading strategies from the outset. Then take it further in Sefaira  for advanced energy, daylight, and HVAC analysis. Add Location updates for iPad Users can customize output settings. Add Location in SketchUp for iPad has also received upgrades, bringing parity with the Desktop and Web experience. Achieve flexibility with your iPad Control contour and tessellation density using the mesh density slider. Import terrain with adjustable detail and orientation for precise modeling. Low-density option for lightweight, faster files. High-density option for detailed, accurate terrain. Bridge the Physical and Digital with Scan-to-Design (SketchUp iPad Pro) Select from multiple outputs  to match your workflow, balancing accuracy with performance. Capture micro-level context  for renovations, remodels, and detailed interiors. Start modeling faster with scan data optimized for your project needs. The true power of Scan-to-Design lies in its variety of outputs and how quickly it helps you get started. Understanding these choices allows you to capture the data you need for your specific workflow, optimizing both detail and file performance. Use Mesh to capture details for complex spaces and shapes mesh scan of a kitchen interior. The Mesh output is great for quick conceptual modeling and lightweight file performance. It helps deliver a high-detail, textured, triangulated mesh . Architects can document existing facades, historic preservation projects, and intricate structures with precision. Interior designers can capture curved walls, decorative elements, and unique detailing with accuracy and nuance. Pro Tip Start your project on iPad to capture existing conditions, then import 3D Building context to see your design in its full urban setting. By integrating broad urban context with fine-grained interior detail, you’re not just modeling—you’re creating visions grounded in reality. Try Add Location in SketchUp 2025 or in the latest version of SketchUp for iPad today!

It is difficult or impossible to control many of the variables that affect building performance. Each building has variations in usage, occupant behaviour, and external factors like weather patterns that can change over time. Given the many parameters that influence a building after the build, how can architects anticipate all likely scenarios and truly deliver optimum performance? Architects can utilise data on construction costs, schedules, and constructability, often integrated through BIM and common data environments like Trimble Connect, to ensure designs are buildable and within budget. More Control, More Choices We now have so many amazing new technologies to make buildings perform better. Because of this, design is more important and complicated than ever. Even the best new building tech won't work well if it's not designed and put together properly from the start. Good design means everything fits together perfectly for great results. Factoring shading, daylight and weather conditions will impact energy efficiency Sustainable Design for Buildings Buildings are responsible for as much as 39% of global carbon emissions and building owners should consider retrofitting existing buildings. It is important for us to find ways to reduce our global emissions and we can do so by prioritising how we can improve the performance for new buildings. Efficient buildings can help reduce operating costs The UN expects global urbanization to increase by nearly 2.5 billion people between now and 2050, increasing the concentration of people in our cities by over 60%. All these people need homes and buildings to live and work. With such a phenomenal amount of building activity ahead of us, we need to get to very high-performance standards quickly. To achieve net-zero emissions, rapid transformation will be required across all industries. Architects should design buildings that can optimise energy efficiency and also learn and adapt to occupant preferences and changing environmental conditions. By making smart technologies an integral part of the initial design concept, architects can ensure that the building's intelligence truly enhances comfort, productivity, and sustainability, rather than being an afterthought. How forms determine performance Building shape/form alone can influence energy use by 10 to 15% on a typical building project. Combine that with the influence of glazing, which can often influence building performance in the 15-25% range. When considering daylight performance, we can create buildings that deliver a much better occupant experience without additional capital cost. In the case of the Iowa Nest project , changing the building’s form cut construction costs in half and achieved a 30% reduction in heating and cooling loads. Designing with sustainable budgets in mind Sometimes, we need to make choices around tradeoffs, as in reality, to be most building owners do not instantaneously have budgets for installing the highest-performing technology. It is important to factor options when deploying capital on building projects. This can be done in the planning stages by considering options that carefully balance all the conflicting priorities using the least possible capital. Tools that unlock the future of sustainable building design Software like PreDesign helps architects / designers make good decisions from the earliest stages, while Sefaira provides in-depth performance analyses on building designs. Sefaira is a software that integrates with SketchUp to provide energy, comfort, and daylight metrics for your designs When we combine advances in cloud computing, building physics, and user interaction design, we can make software that can analyze design performance in real time so that it can be embedded directly into the design process itself. This makes it easier than ever for the architect to use important building performance metrics to create a building design that is sustainable, functional, and beautiful.  At its heart, Trimble's ecosystem revolves around the concept of a Common Data Environment (CDE) . This is a centralised, cloud-based platform where all project-related data – from design models and drawings to financial records and field reports – is stored, organized, and shared. The goal is to eliminate data silos, reduce manual data entry, and ensure that everyone involved in a project is working with the most current and accurate information. To learn more about Trimble Connect and Connected Construction, please reach out to us for a personalised consult. If you are interested in Sefaira, read more here .

In SketchUp, Groups and Components help organise geometry efficiently. While they may seem similar, they serve distinct purposes: Groups act as individual containers for geometry, keeping elements separate and easy to manage. They are ideal for unique parts of your model that won’t be repeated elsewhere. Components function similarly but with a key advantage—when you edit one instance of a component, all instances update simultaneously. This makes them perfect for repeated elements like windows, furniture, or structural components. If you need a variation of an existing component, you have two options: Right-click → “Make Unique” to create an independent copy that can be modified without affecting the original. Explode the component and create a new one from the modified geometry. SketchUp Skill Builder: Groups vs Components Working with Components When you transform geometry into a component, your 3D model has all the following behaviors and capabilities: Your component is reusable. The component geometry becomes separate from any geometry to which it's currently connected. (This is similar to groups .) Anytime you edit your component, you can edit the component instance or the definition. If you like, you can make your component stick to a specific plane (by setting its gluing plane) or cut a hole in a face (by setting its cutting plane). You can associate metadata, such as advanced attributes and IFC classification types, with the component. Classifying Objects introduces classification systems and how you can use them with SketchUp components. Keep in mind: If you are going to use something more than once in your model, make a Component of it. This applies to copying things. Make a Component of it first, then copy the Component. Draw everything on Layer0. (This is the default layer, so unless you actively change it, everything you draw will be on this layer.) Before you copy a Group, first consider making it into a Component. Context click > Make Unique if you need to change some components to be different than others of the same definition. When you explode all of a component, it (they) turns back into basic geometry and the definition can be purged from the model. When you are modeling a Component in a working file with other Components: Right-click [context click] on the Component and select Save As . SketchUp will let you point to the folder in which you wish to store the component, and it will use the name of the Component as the default filename for the external file. Component naming Creating Components during modeling is quite fluid in SketchUp. SketchUp provides auto naming of Components to speed up Component creation. The default name provided in the create Component dialog is the word ‘Component’ followed by a ‘#’ and an incremented number (for example Component#48). The numeric value keeps incrementing to assure that each new Component is named uniquely. But when a Component requires a specific product name, the Component name can be changed. Select the Component in the Component Browser and select the Edit Tab, or use the Entity Info dialog. The Definition name is the actual Component name. In the Component Browser, the definition name is the name shown in the top text field of the Components dialog, and the Definition in the Entity Info dialog. See the article File management, uploading & branding for more discussion on naming components from product manufacturers. In the Entity Info dialog box, the Name field is only a description for a particular instance of the Component in the model, it is not the actual name of the Component definition. That is stored in the Definition box. Editing a component is like working on another SketchUp model within the main model. SketchUp uses in-place component editing. This allows you to see the rest of the model in context for reference while you make changes to the component. When editing a component, the limit of the current context for the component being edited is shown by a gray bounding box. The axes directions and origin for the component are shown with a red, green, blue icon. The rest of the model is low lighted (dimmed). You cannot change any of the rest of the model outside of the current context, but you can infer to anything throughout the entire model. Component nesting and context Components can contain other Components and Groups in addition to faces and edges. This is called nesting. Each time a Component (or Group) is included within another Component or Group, it is nested one level within the outer context. Context means the immediate container for entities (edges, faces, groups, components, dimensions, text, etc.). A model is the largest context that SketchUp can have; it is the uppermost level of organization. When entities are selected and included in a Component, the Component becomes the context for those entities. If a Component is made from three other Components, that Component becomes the context for those three sub-entities. Fig. 1 In Fig. 1, the orange lines indicate the outer bounds of the main Component’s context. The blue lines indicate the first nesting level of sub-Components within the main Component. Each blue box represents the context for the items within the box. Finally the magenta lines indicate the second nesting level down of sub-Components within the first (blue) nesting level. Notice that the magenta objects are within context of each of the nested blue components. Context editing components and nested components Components and groups may be edited (modified) at any time by Right clicking [context clicking] on the object and selecting Edit from the context menu, or by double clicking the select tool on the object. To finish editing, right click [context click] in white space outside the bounding box and select Close Group or single click the select tool outside the bounding box. Editing a component is like working on another SketchUp model within the main model. SketchUp uses in-place component editing. This allows you to see the rest of the model in context for reference while you make changes to the component. When editing a component, the limit of the current context for the component being edited is shown by a gray bounding box. The axes directions and origin for the component are shown with a red, green, blue icon. When editing a component, the rest of the model is low lighted (dimmed). You cannot change any of the rest of the model outside of the current context, but you can infer to anything throughout the entire model. Adding your design to 3D Warehouse It is helpful to develop a template file into which you import a component to get it ready for upload to 3D Warehouse. This template file does several things for you. It should have standard views to keep all your product lines consistent. Component and file naming Proper naming will allow your designs to be easily accessible At a minimum four things should be addressed: Product number or SKU Manufacturer name Product line Product name In the SketchUp world, a component has a component name when inside a model, but might want to have a slightly different file name when saved outside of the model, and also be known by a different title in 3D Warehouse. It is best to think from the inside outward, with the first consideration being the component name. Next, apply any metadata labels and information attached to the component. Then look at the filename as it is saved to your computer drive. And lastly, design a marketing piece on 3D Warehouse. The following illustration should help you envision this path. SketchUp Studio and IFC Support SketchUp Studio is the most advanced version of SketchUp, designed specifically for professionals working in BIM and construction. By leveraging Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) components in SketchUp Studio, users can bridge the gap between conceptual 3D modeling and structured BIM processes, making it a valuable tool for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. SketchUp components can be classified using IFC properties, allowing them to be exported into BIM workflows while retaining metadata. When you assign an IFC classification (e.g., IfcWall, IfcDoor, IfcWindow) to a SketchUp component, it becomes recognizable in other BIM software that supports the IFC format. SketchUp Studio supports IFC import/export, allowing collaboration with BIM platforms like Revit, ArchiCAD, and Tekla. Using IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) components in SketchUp is beneficial for BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows because SketchUp models can stay lightweight while still integrating with structured BIM processes. 1. Reduced File Size & Improved Performance SketchUp models can become heavy when detailed geometry is used. IFC classification allows you to retain important BIM metadata without increasing file size unnecessarily. Instead of exporting high-polygon models, IFC ensures that only relevant structured data is included. 2. Seamless BIM Integration Without Overloading SketchUp SketchUp’s strength lies in its fast, intuitive 3D modeling, but it isn't a full BIM tool. IFC components allow SketchUp users to contribute to BIM workflows without needing to convert entire models into large, complex BIM files. IFC classification ensures compatibility with other BIM software SketchUp Components & AutoCAD BIM (Revit) SketchUp models can be imported into Revit via DWG, IFC, or as Revit families (RFA files). Using Trimble Connect, SketchUp components can be linked to BIM projects for coordination and clash detection. Revit treats SketchUp components as massing elements or generic objects, but if properly classified using IFC, they integrate better into BIM models.

Neville Johnson is a design firm from England specializing in bespoke furniture. For over 30 years, the Manchester-based firm has earned a reputation for transforming residential interiors with bespoke furniture and staircases. Neville Johnson’s design team uses SketchUp  to streamline complex projects and involve customers throughout the process. The 3D moderling software allows them to visualize and refine designs efficiently, ensuring the final product perfectly matches the client's vision. A bespoke office/library, designed by Simon Tcherniak, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson Behind every piece of handcrafted, custom furniture designed by the team at Neville Johnson is a design that anchors the project with vision, clarity, and substance. As a team that shuns the idea of "one-size-fits-all" for your home, they have become the pinnacle of luxury bespoke furniture in the UK. Designing for discerning homeowners Winning client trust is essential because, unlike mass-produced furniture, Neville Johnson's designs are custom and an investment in high-end, high-quality craftsmanship. The value of the work speaks volumes, and clients look to Neville Johnson to deliver luxury designs with a "wow" factor. SketchUp allows them to formulate a vision and align xpectations early on so the Neville Johnson team can wow clients with pieces worthy of a magazine spread or viral Instagram Reel. The firm completed a project for Erica Davies , former fashion editor at the British tabloid The Sun and well-known Instagram personality. Her social media posts regularly showcase how her home wardrobe has been meticulously curated to her needs and personality, highlighting how Neville Johnson's designs are aspirational and inviting people to use their imaginations. A walkthrough of scenes and dynamic components in the bespoke dressing room for Erica Davies demonstrates how the different areas will function. The goal is to have a design concept after the first consultation, helping clients to realize their vision quickly, and this is only possible with upfront feedback from the homeowners. Award-winning Senior Designer Simon Tcherniak  is dedicated to creating a collaborative dynamic where clients openly share their wants and needs. "I'll jump straight into SketchUp so we can start playing around with it. The key for us is to create a visualization that really brings it (the design) to life for the client. SketchUp gives them a clear idea of what they'd be getting - so when we discuss the budget, the figure relates to something as tangible as possible." Simon Tcherniak, Senior Designer Tcherniak considers it a privilege to work closely with clients on whatever interior design project they have in mind, but he's partial to living rooms and libraries. "I have to say living rooms and libraries are my personal favorites, simply because it's the part of the home that, in a way, people care most about. (It's where they) display their family heirlooms — their treasured items —  the books they love, their photo albums, and ornaments. It's really nice designing around those and bringing that to life." Walkthrough of a bespoke office/library Taking hand drawings to the next level Though he earned degrees in philosophy and acting, Tcherniak began doing shelving installations as his bridge into bespoke furniture design. He first used SketchUp approximately 17 years ago as an artisan cabinet maker. He continues to rely on SketchUp in his daily professional workflow and processes, noting that the beauty of SketchUp is that it's easy to use and can be anything you want it to be. "I personally use SketchUp because it's the nearest thing to hand drawing, and I love hand drawing. It's that intuitive feeling, like you're molding plasticine. It's just a lovely interactive tool to use." added Tcherniak. SketchUp allows him to produce stunning images quickly, seamlessly turning his hand-drawn designs into 3D concepts. Working in pencil has its limits; designers lose material depth, color, and texture, which are critical in telling a richer story with the final design. "When designing in color and three dimensions, you suddenly start making different design decisions that positively influence the project's direction." shared Tcherniak. Each month, Tcherniak might take on anywhere from six to 12 commissions. Intricate designs require a good amount of time to materialize. The average project timeline from inquiry to completed installation is approximately 14 weeks.  He invests considerable care and attention to detail during initial consultations. He starts by understanding the client's vision and then often sketches ideas directly in SketchUp, allowing for immediate, real-time visualization and laying the groundwork for a discussion on budget. From there, he presents a more polished concept to the client in a second meeting, animating the client through the model with the help of Scenes. Finally, he exports the model to LayOut to create dimensioned plans, elevations, and perspectives that help the client and the manufacturing team visualize the key elements. Moving into production, the drawing office uses Solid Works to make the shop drawings and begin manufacturing. Fitters then use a combination of all the drawings for on-site installation. Design with flexibility: The power of Dynamic Components Before the product reaches the final stage, Tcherniak and his design team factor in time for revisions. SketchUp introduces an element of fluidity to the process that allows Tcherniak and his design team to change designs while still delivering on time, within budget, and with important constraints. One distinct advantage of SketchUp is the ability for users to create configurable dynamic components that represent the product's rules while allowing for creative exploration. Simon narrates a walk-through of the office model, demonstrating how Neville Johnson utilizes Dynamic Components in SketchUp. Tcherniak uses Component Finder by FlexTools to organize and share the library of dynamic components he has created with the 38 other designers in his team. To streamline the design process, go-to templates were created to capture client information, room layouts, standard elements, and commonly used room and furniture profiles, which are then drawn with Profile Builder by Mindsight Studios . What used to take five hours to assemble a room from scratch now takes an hour or less with SketchUp — cutting the time spent by 80% . The difference between ordinary and extraordinary Tcherniak introduced his colleagues to SketchUp's capabilities and benefits and is now Neville Johnson's resident SketchUp consultant. Everyone on the team are now using SketchUp. The Neville Johnson team's talents, vision, and expertise are a winning combination that allows them to get the most out of SketchUp to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Case in point: Tcherniak won an internal award for NJ Furniture Sales Designer of the Year four times, took home a Silver Award for Best Storage Solution at the House Beautiful Awards 2017, and secured the distinction of Best of Houzz for Home Offices in 2020. About Neville Johnson For over thirty years, Neville Johnson has been recognized as one of the UK's leading luxury furniture specialists. The brand has been built through a reputation for innovation, quality and superior customer service. The business offers a range of customized interior products in various sizes, shapes, finishes and materials, which the team builds from scratch to the precise design specifications. Fitters are highly trained and provide exceptional workmanship and customer service. From bespoke home studies to beautifully fitted bedroom furniture, the expert craftspeople at Neville Johnson can transform every corner of any home into a valuable, aesthetically pleasing space. Ready to follow Tcherniak's lead and create award-winning designs with greater ease and efficiency? It's time to try SketchUp. Ping us for a free trial or let us provide you with the quotation on the different options. Read more on working with components here

As a designer, you may often have to work with complex designs or existing structures that need precise measurements and detailed site information. SketchUp’s Scan Essentials helps simplify this by allowing you to import, view, and model from point cloud data directly within SketchUp. Point clouds are dense collections of points generated by 3D scanners that capture physical spaces with remarkable precision. These datasets provide rich spatial information that can be directly integrated into SketchUp through Scan Essentials , transforming how architects and designers work with existing environments. Scan Essentials is extremely useful for renovation work since the point cloud shows the exact location of each building. It is easy to study existing designs to get an idea of how new designs will appear when overlapping existing ones. Scan Essentials offers large-scale surveys, data collection, and real-time planning for warehouses, logistics, etc. Why Use Scan Essentials? It can delivers multiple practical advantages that go beyond traditional modeling techniques: 1. Accurate Site Measurements Point clouds capture every detail of a site, reducing the risk of manual measurement errors. With Scan Essentials, you can import this data into SketchUp and model directly on top of real-world geometry for unmatched accuracy. 2. Streamlined Renovation and Restoration Projects Older buildings often come with outdated or missing floor plans. Scan Essentials allows users to visualise these spaces accurately without the need for extensive manual surveying, making refurbishment projects more efficient. 3. Enhanced Design Context Integrating point cloud data into SketchUp helps you see how new designs will fit within existing structures. This is especially valuable for extensions or projects where new elements must harmonize with the surrounding environment. 4. Faster Design Workflows Scan Essentials simplifies tracing over point cloud data with smart tools like snap-to-point capabilities. You can quickly outline walls, floors, and structural features, speeding up the early stages of model creation. 5. Fewer Site Visits With accurate 3D scans readily available in SketchUp, you can minimize the need for repeated site measurements. This not only saves time but also allows you to focus on refining your designs. How It Works With Scan Essentials, it’s now easy to integrate BIM-scanned files into your projects. The extension supports various formats of 3D laser scanning data (.e57, .las, .laz), making it easy to import and view complex point clouds. Once in SketchUp, you can: Draw directly on the point cloud for precise modeling Lock points for stable and controlled editing Compare your 3D model to the point cloud to check accuracy Adjust density , transparency , and customize  how the point cloud displays Use cross-sectional views  to focus on specific areas This integration allows you to convert complex real-world data into a workable 3D model without losing accuracy. Is Scan Essentials Worth It? For anyone working with existing structures, Scan Essentials is a game-changer. It eliminates guesswork, enhances accuracy, and streamlines workflows. While there’s a learning curve when first working with point clouds, the efficiency gains and improved design outcomes make it a worthwhile addition to your SketchUp toolkit. By adopting Scan Essentials, you can bring real-world accuracy into your designs, making your projects faster, better, and easier. Watch our video below for more details on what's new from Scan Essentials. Scan Essentials is now available with a Pro Scan bundle. Get in touch to upgrade your SketchUp pro subscription. Check out more tutorials on Scan Essentials here

With Scan Essentials, you can import, view, and model from 3D scan data directly in SketchUp — in a matter of minutes. Keeping interoperability top of mind, you are able to import a variety of industry-standard file types such as E57, LAZ, and LAS as well as the Trimble RWP format from terrestrial laser scanners, mobile mapping devices, and drones. Once you’ve imported your file type, you can start your 3D modeling workflow in SketchUp. Large data sets are optimized using Trimble’s scanning engine to ensure smooth modeling. From there you can lock on to points and dramatically increase the accuracy of your model. Lastly, add on your final touches to really make it shine. Inspect and compare the accuracy of your model to the point cloud data using a nifty comparison feature. Accuracy has never been easier! Watch our quick 10 minute demo of Trimble Scan Essentials for SketchUp and learn how easy it is to quickly model your 3D scan data in Trimble SketchUp If you are a general contractor, urban designer, or architect, you’ll love the ease and accuracy of Scan Essentials . Check out the perks you’ll get to take advantage of in your workflow with Scan Essentials: Importing and viewing point clouds from terrestrial scans, mobile mapping, and drones within SketchUp Modeling directly on the point cloud Ability to lock onto points Comparison capabilities using your 3D model & point cloud Ability to change point cloud transparency, change the selection priority, and create section views SketchUp Studio (and new SketchUp Pro Scan / Pro Advanced Workflows bundles) users can access the Scan Essentials for SketchUp extension as part of your subscription. This extension will allow you to use point clouds directly in the SketchUp modeling interface. The point clouds can be used to assist in modeling existing buildings and/or project conditions or it can be used for visual context alongside the SketchUp model you have already created. Scan Essentials and LayOut SketchUp Layout is a companion application to SketchUp, designed specifically for creating professional 2D documentation from 3D models. The ability to visualize and interact with a point cloud in SketchUp's modeling environment is extended to LayOut as well. When you insert a SketchUp model that is using a point cloud, the point cloud will also be displayed in LayOut's model viewports. LayOut's tools will refer to the point cloud like real geometry. This will allow you to draw and dimension from point to point or model to point. Note: Dimension text area will have a red background while designing the LayOut document. This signifies that the dimension is not completely snapped to geometry. The dimensions will NOT have the red background when printing or when exporting images or pdf files.

Imagine the typical construction company 10 years from now. What will day-to-day operations look like for its engineering and constructing civil and building projects? If you pictured a high-tech scenario where interconnected teams and technologies work together in highly collaborative, real-time working environments to increase productivity and efficiency, you might not be far off. A new technology mindset for a new era Connected construction is driven by data and collaboration At its core, connected construction relies on data to inform decisions and uncover insights that boost productivity, quality, safety, and sustainability. It goes beyond simply linking machines or systems. Rather than a basic, one-off connection between tools or devices, connected construction represents a broader digital transformation. It’s about establishing intelligent data workflows that support real-time collaboration among diverse stakeholders—enhancing efficiency and outcomes throughout the entire project lifecycle. By ensuring the right people have access to the right information at the right moment, teams can make smarter, faster decisions—leading to better project transparency and overall performance. Many construction firms struggle with a host of challenges due to porr communication. Problems that will arise will likely make collaboration more challenging and undermine profit. How traditional construction companies usually conduct business Construction projects can develop in many ways. Some go smoothly and collaboratively, while others may be more turbulent and challenging. By closing the gaps between people, processes and technology, connected construction helps everyone identify and resolve problems faster. It’s about having up-to-minute information to make better decisions right from the start of a project for better outcomes at the end.  Use data to improve team workflows Today’s contractors want to be free of managing multiple single-solution software programs that struggle to work well together. Instead, they’re investing in scalable platforms that enable them to take advantage of the latest tech innovations, including virtual and augmented reality, robotics, predictive analytics and machine control, drones, next-level pre-construction detailing and estimating tools, real-time financial, enterprise resource planning (ERP), project management capabilities, and mobile workflow and collaboration solutions. Better-managed projects and more streamlined processes – including the ability to process data in the field – can help firms achieve cost savings by reducing labor overheads and resource wastage, while also contributing to higher profit margins “One of our biggest business advantages is our ability to move information quickly, accurately, and efficiently to our people and equipment.” Britton Lawson, Director of Construction Technology, Veit & Company, Inc., United States The connected construction experience brings construction processes–from design and financing to engineering and maintenance–together to make your projects more efficient and profitable Exploring the connected construction experience If you have access to a common data environment (CDE) and a standardized set of connected workflows for all stakeholders, departments, and disciplines of the construction process, we can eliminate the challenges through better communication. But you might not be experiencing these benefits because you’re working in traditional business silos. This is why connected construction is so valuable. A single source of data that anyone can access at any time will improve communication, reduce labor overheads and resource wastage, and generate greater profit margins. How to make your move to connected construction When introducing new technologies as part of your connected approach, ensure you have a roadmap that outlines your vision and includes practical steps for how different teams will use the technology. A clear roadmap can help you convey your objectives and vision so that you can champion the benefits of the new technology. “Technology allows us to deliver a product that is not just built ‘as planned,’ but is delivered ‘as intended,’ often allowing us to make recommendations and deliver a final outcome that exceeds original expectations.” Jeff Buckley, Prefab/BIM Program Manager at Aldridge Electric, United States CASE STUDY Insider the Complex Construction of Seattle's New Aquarium

Bake bar cafe area in the Cacao processing facility. Refurbishing an old building for a new purpose is a sustainable way for architects and designers to create one-of-a-kind, inspiring spaces. The challenge is using your imagination. How can you look at an old building and visualize how it will function both aesthetically and functionally for its new tenants?  STaND Design, an architecture design studio based in Mumbai, was tasked with reimagining an old fabric mill into an educational and visitor-focused cacao processing facility - The Cacao Mill by Subko . To share their ideas for the transformation, STaND used a combination of 3D modeling and immersive visualisation tools in SketchUp, including VR and AR, so that their client Subko Cacao could understand their plans to retain the original old mill structure Designing a 'Pod-to-Bar' experience On the wish list for the client was a viewing gallery, taking visitors through the journey of the cacao bean, from the meticulous selection of the finest cacao beans to taking the first bite of a chocolate bar. As a purpose-driven and quality-focused brand deeply invested in transforming the cacao industry in India, Subko Cacao wanted to include the full spectrum of the process in their new Cacao mill, which would be Mumbai's first chocolate factory. A 'Pod-to-Bar' experience was envisioned, and the team wanted to design a top-notch, beautiful aesthetic statement that would draw visitors to Colaba Causeway, one of the most exciting and eclectic shopping centers in Mumbai. To start visualizing and refining the mill's spatial layout, STaND took their ideas into SketchUp. Their process for modeling the existing space was thorough and multifaceted. First, they took manual measurements, conducted an extensive on-site survey, and took detailed documentation of all accessible areas, including floor plans, wall thicknesses, window and door placements, and any unique architectural features. They input the measurements into SketchUp to create a basic 3D model of the space, allowing them to visualize the overall structure and identify any areas that needed further investigation. Images of the work in progress show the ceiling and the arched windows.  Due to the mill's 40-foot height, certain areas were difficult to measure directly. High-resolution photography was used to capture these hard-to-reach areas. Photogrammetry techniques were then used to estimate dimensions and details from these images, which they incorporated into the SketchUp model. When incorporating elements of the old fabric mill into the new design, STaND Design's philosophy was centered on preserving and showcasing the mill's industrial heritage. They implemented structural preservation — maintaining all existing structural elements, including the original roof truss system, which was cleaned and restored to highlight its craftsmanship, and the buttresses, which were reinforced where necessary while maintaining their original appearance. To showcase different periods of construction and repair, material exposure technique was utilised and layers of plaster and paint were removed to reveal the original limestone walls and clay bricks, which they cleaned and repainted using traditional methods. They left these materials exposed where possible, applying clear sealants to protect them while maintaining their raw aesthetic.  Image showing the coffee and bake bar area. At the heart of the space, a central coffee and bake bar commands attention with its white marble countertops and a concrete front elegantly adorned with brass inlay. Surrounding it, metal seating with plush green cushions and wooden tables create a harmonious balance between raw industrial charm and inviting warmth. Restored industrial windows flood the space with natural light, enhancing its airy feel. The mezzanine, with its striking arched windows and skylights, adds a dramatic touch, casting soft, ever-changing patterns of light that heighten its allure. STaND Design strategically choose SketchUp as their office's go-to design tool because it empowers design creativity. They also leverage SketchUp's precision tools to add to existing conditions accurately. "We can swiftly translate visionary ideas into captivating 3D models. This agility in design exploration and iteration empowers us to consistently achieve superior outcomes across diverse projects." Siddhant Tikkoo, Principal Architect  Siddhant added that "3D models were used to ensure that every aspect of the design, from the placement of machinery to the arrangement of customer seating, was functional and aesthetically pleasing from all angles. Iterating in SketchUp, the team designed a central atrium flooded with natural light." The ground floor of this space serves as a gallery of the factory, which includes the educational "bean-to-bar" chocolate-making process, a cafe on the mezzanine level, and essential kitchen and service areas tucked away discreetly from the public view.  "SketchUp played a pivotal role in the design and planning of the Subko Cacao Mill. Its versatile capabilities and user-friendly interface significantly expedited the entire design process." Siddhant Tikkoo, Principal Architect  STaND added thoughtful details to their model, such as an electric meter showcasing power consumption and graphics explaining the chocolate-making process. To add additional details, they also leveraged models from SketchUp’s 3D Warehouse .  Communicating and collaborating STaND Design communicated their vision of the reimagined facility as they developed the plan with their client and project team. While the teams and stakeholders were spread across different geographical regions, they could access the files easily through the cloud-based platform Trimble Connect . This helped move the project forward and ensured the design process remained agile.  “SketchUp's collaboration features allowed our team to work seamlessly together, even when members were geographically dispersed. This real-time collaboration facilitated effective communication and swift decision-making, crucial in a project with multiple stakeholders.” Nikita D'Silva, Principal Architect & Co-founder STaND Design credits SketchUp’s VR and AR integrations as game-changers during the design phase. The design team created immersive visualizations of the mill's layout for client presentations and internal reviews at key project milestones. These visuals helped fine-tune the design by offering a realistic preview of how the space would appear and function and allowed stakeholders to make informed design changes. SketchUp played a crucial role throughout the entire project lifecycle: Concept development — SketchUp was used to quickly iterate through design concepts, allowing the exploration of multiple options efficiently. Client presentations — The 3D models helped clients visualize the space, leading to more informed decisions and faster approvals. Stakeholder communication — SketchUp helped them create detailed visualizations for various stakeholders so contractors could better understand complex design elements and engineers could identify potential structural challenges. Problem-solving — When issues arose during construction, they quickly modeled solutions in SketchUp, saving time and reducing miscommunication. Detailed design — SketchUp was used to design custom elements like built-in furniture that complemented the industrial aesthetic, lighting fixtures that highlighted architectural features, and signage and wayfinding elements that integrated seamlessly with the space. Interoperability The software's ability to seamlessly integrate with other design tools and software used by STaND is a critical factor in enhancing workflow efficiency. This integration streamlines processes, enabling smooth import and export of models and effortless sharing of project data, ultimately enhancing productivity. SketchUp's adaptability is another benefit for STaND Design. Through extensions, they can tailor the software to their precise needs, enhancing both efficiency and versatility. This ensures that SketchUp harmoniously aligns with STaND Design’s unique approach and specific project requirements. While SketchUp was the primary tool, STaND Design integrated other software: Adobe Photoshop was used for texture creation and image editing, Adobe Illustrator was used for creating 2D graphics and diagrams, and Adobe InDesign was used for compiling presentation materials and reports. CAD software was used to create detailed 2D technical drawings required for permitting and construction. Enscape was used for creating photorealistic renderings and animations of the final design. “SketchUp provides educational resources , making it an invaluable tool for training and skill development within STaND. This ensures the team remains at the forefront of design trends and technologies.” Siddhant Tikkoo, Principal Architect  “The vibrant SketchUp user community adds another layer of support and inspiration. Access to a wealth of resources, support forums, tutorials, and a marketplace for assets and extensions enables STaND to leverage collective expertise, troubleshoot challenges effectively, and maximize the potential of SketchUp.”-Siddhant Tikkoo, Principal Architect  By embracing SketchUp as its primary design software, STaND has adopted a holistic solution that amplifies creativity, precision, collaboration, efficiency, and adaptability. With SketchUp, they are well-equipped to bring their design visions to life, elevate client experiences, and continually set new standards of excellence in the design industry. SketchUp has become an indispensable tool in STaND's mission of transforming creative ideas into remarkable realities. Photo of the completed project Tips from STaND Design for SketchUp users: We asked STaND Design what helped them efficiently bring their designs to life in SketchUp, and here were their top tips: Organize with groups and components:  Use groups to logically divide your model (e.g., by floor, room, or system), and create components for repeated elements to ensure consistency and easy updates. Utilize layers: Set up a clear layer structure at the project's start and use layers to manage the visibility of different design options or construction phases. Leverage extensions: Bevel : Great for creating realistic edge details on architectural elements. BoolTools : Invaluable for complex modeling operations like merging or subtracting shapes. CleanUp³ : Helps maintain a tidy and efficient model by removing unused elements. Skimp : Useful for optimizing large models to improve performance. Develop a consistent naming convention: For files, groups, components, and layers, this becomes crucial when working with large teams or complex projects. Regular model audits: Periodically review and clean up your model to ensure efficiency. Check for and purge unused components, materials, and styles. About Subko Cacao Subko Cacao represents a purpose-driven, design-centric, experiential, and quality-focused brand deeply invested in transforming the cacao industry within the Indian subcontinent. They proudly identify as a 'Pod-to-Bar' experience brand, underscoring their comprehensive approach to cacao sourcing, processing, and production. This visionary brand has made it its mission to reshape the cacao landscape in the Indian subcontinent. Its unwavering commitment to purpose, design, quality, and the customer experience underpins its mission. The brand believes in stewarding the entire cacao journey, from nurturing cacao pods to crafting exquisite chocolate bars. About STaND Design Co-founded by young architects Siddhant Tikkoo and Nikita D’Silva in 2016, STaND is a studio where minimalism and exploration come together to create pure, warm spaces. Keen to help clients experience their spaces in unexpected ways, their designs are born from a desire to explore new techniques and materials. Always blending a multitude of design philosophies, they are constantly building their knowledge base to evoke emotion by bringing modern but sustainable spaces to life.

Unlock the full potential of SketchUp’s LayOut tool and supercharge your documentation workflow. LayOut bridges the gap between design and communication—perfect for architects, interior designers, builders, and anyone who needs to present spatial ideas in a clear, structured format. What is LayOut? Whether you're creating detailed construction drawings, annotated floor plans, or professional presentation packages, LayOut makes it easy to place your SketchUp models onto pages, add dimensions, notes, and graphics, and export everything as PDFs or print-ready documents. Reduce Repetitive Tasks and Improve Accuracy With new and improved features like Auto-Text, dynamic labeling, and updated shortcuts, users can produce clear, data-rich documents that stay in sync with the design. In Architectural Drawings, you can: ● “Send to LayOut” from SketchUp or “Insert” in LayOut ● Change Viewport size ● Change or update Style ● Choose View ● Set Scale Add 2D Elements ● Add Hatches ● Add Dimensions ● Add Notes and Annotations Dynamic "Live" Updates A. Auto-Text  With LayOut’s Auto-Text labeling , users can automatically pull in and display data directly from SketchUp components—saving time and reducing errors. This feature helps streamline documentation across different teams and ensures every member on the project access to the most updated informatiom whenever changes happen. B. Labeling Say goodbye to manual text updates and inconsistencies. Easily reference component details like Name, Price, Size, URL, Status, Owner, Type , and more. These attributes are dynamically linked, so when your model updates, your labels do too. No more chasing down mismatched details across multiple drawings. With smart labeling, your documentation stays consistent, accurate, and presentation ready. Smart Modeling Tips for Better Performance Purge Unused Items : Clear out unused components, materials, layers, and styles to reduce file size. Simplify Geometry : Reduce the number of segments in arcs and circles to lower polygon counts without sacrificing visual quality. Choose Lightweight 3D Warehouse Models : Opt for simplified components that won’t weigh down your file. Use 2D for Entourage Elements : Trees, furniture, people, and vehicles can often be represented effectively with 2D symbols rather than detailed 3D geometry. Save Complex Elements Separately : Store high-detail components in external .skp files and import them only when needed to keep the main model nimble. Organize with Tags and Scene Management Before sending your model to LayOut, structure it clearly with tags and scenes for smoother navigation and viewport control. Model Organisation Organize elements by building systems or categories. Here’s one example of effective tagging: EXTERIOR  – Wall, Window, Door, Roof INTERIOR  – Ceiling, Wall Finish, Floor Finish MEP  – Mechanical, Electrical, Pipe, Fixtures, Furniture STRUCTURE  – Footing, Column, Beam GUIDE  – Grid, Level, Axis, Room Tip: Develop your own system that reflects your workflow. Model Organisation Tip: Tag elements clearly By tagging elements clearly, you can set up scenes in SketchUp that isolate specific parts of your model—making LayOut faster and more focused. Use Nested Models for Better Control For complex projects, nesting your model into logical parts provides greater flexibility and improves performance in LayOut. Example Nesting Strategy: Room Components  → grouped into Floor Model  → grouped into Interior Model / Exterior Model / Structure Model  → linked into Master Model File This structure allows you to: Toggle visibility easily Load only relevant content into LayOut Keep pages lightweight and fast to update With nested models and clean tagging, LayOut loads only what’s needed—helping you work faster without compromising on detail or clarity.   2025 Highlights: What’s New in LayOut Intuitive Tools : Rotate, Copy, and Scale now behave just like in SketchUp—making it more intuitive and seamless to switch between the two. "Join Selected" : Combine multiple lines in one click—great for cleaning up imported drawings or simplifying geometry. Zoom Window Tool (Z) : 🔍 Zoom directly into a selected area for quicker navigation and precise editing. Support for Environments & PBR Materials : Visual fidelity from SketchUp is now better represented in LayOut documents. Flexible Print/Export Options : Print directly from the Page Inspector. You can choose to output individual pages or specific ranges, instead of the entire document. Read more about SketchUp Layout 2025 here

Sotaro Yoshikawa, who grew up watching his father, a master carpenter, talks about how he used SketchUp in an unprecedented project to "realize a client's dream tower. He shares his passion for preserving temples that serve as a "source of spiritual comfort". A tower that was modelled based on a client's dream What made you enter the world of shrine and temple architecture? My father,  Sukeyo Yoshikawa is a master carpenter for palace and shrines, and I grew up watching him and going to construction sites with him, learning carpentry little by little. I think it was a natural choice for me to become a palace and shrine carpenter. My father's achievements were widely praised, and I always heard about his fame. It was the thought that "my father's work is wonderful" that drew me into this world. To this day, my father is my greatest teacher. This work of preserving Japan's cultural structures as Japan's heritage is the gift of our ancestors' wisdom and skills. Although there are only a few drawings remaining, most have been passed down orally. I believe that my mission is to continue this tradition and pass it on to the next generation. Please tell us why you started using SketchUp and how has it helped your workflow? In temple and shrine construction projects, we are always faced with various problems such as deadlines and technical specifications. In particular, to improve technical specifications, we have invested in high-spec PCs costing 2 to 2.5 million yen. By introducing SketchUp, we have been able to scan large-scale point clouds and create 3D models very smoothly. The software allows us to create 3D objects as though we are sketching them. The most convenient and amazing aspect is how easy it enables users to manipulate models and create structures. It allows inspiration to flow easily. My favourite feature in SketchUp is Push/Pull. When I used it for the first time, I was shocked at how easy it was to model. Sotaro Yoshikawa, CEO of Yoshisho Architecture and Crafts SketchUp is currently used in almost all of our projects. Unless you are a very experienced user, no customer can get a sense of the actual image from just a drawing. On the other hand, 3D models created by SketchUp allow anyone to get a sense of the actual image at a glance. The bell tower (left) and scan data of Gosetsuji Temple (Fukui), the head temple of the Shinshu Izumoji school (image credit : T&I 3D Co., Ltd.) Can you give us some examples of projects where you have used SketchUp? I have used SketchUp in a variety of projects, including the renovation of the floats at Togo Shrine, Hachioji Shrine, Hachioji Minami-cho, Hachioji Yahata-cho, Ogose Hon-cho, and Ogose Kawara-cho, among others. One of the most memorable projects in my career was bringing a tower to life — not from blueprints, but from a client’s dreams. When the client sent me his hand-drawn sketch by fax, I knew this wasn’t just a typical design request. I visited the site and conducted a 3D scan  of the environment. The point cloud data gave us an incredibly accurate foundation to work from, capturing every nuance of the surroundings. Using SketchUp , we translated the sketch into a fully realized 3D model, harmonizing the client’s vision with the physical context of the site. The combination of traditional inspiration and cutting-edge technology allowed us to bring the tower from paper to reality. I still remember the moment the structure began to take shape — the client was visibly moved. It was a powerful reminder that architecture isn’t just about building structures; it’s about honoring stories, dreams, and human connections. Sketch of a tower the client had seen in a dream  One of the projects we will be working on in the future is to 3D scan the main hall of Myotsuji Temple, located in the mountains of Obama, surrounded by peaceful forests. The temple’s Hondo main hall and three-tiered pagoda are designated National Treasures in Fukui Prefecture. Fukui is easily accessible via the Shinkansen, and although it is the only national treasure, the number of visitors has been low, which was an issue. Since it is a wonderful building, we hope that this will be an opportunity for many people to visit. Myotsuji Temple. Fukui Prefecture Can you share more details about using SketchUp Point Clouds? Creating 3D models from point clouds helps us reach a consensus among various stakeholders. For example, the office staff can confirm the quantity of building materials, and the carpenters on-site can visualize the model for the customer. Since consensus can be reached among all stakeholders at every stage, the project can proceed smoothly from the start of construction to completion. What do you think is the most important aspect for your work? At first glance, the work we do as palace carpenters may seem to have been handed down traditionally without change, but I believe there are both things that can be changed and things that must not be changed, and that we must constantly make the judgment. For example, parts that previously were done by hand with a saw have now been replaced with electric circular saws, but this is something that is "okay to change" in terms of improving efficiency. On the other hand, I believe that the fact that "miyadaiku are at the cutting edge of all times" is something that "should not be changed." It is precisely because they have continued to pursue the cutting edge in every era that they have been able to leave behind such magnificent buildings. Our mission is to connect traditional Japanese architecture to the next generation. With fewer and fewer successors available these days, we want to convey the joy of traditional architecture to young people in particular. Hachioji Shrine (before restoration) Hachioji Shrine was imported into SketchUp as a point cloud and then drawn up in 2D using Layout. What advice would you give to the younger generation learning SketchUp? In order to get the younger generation to use SketchUp, I tell them to "try it out first." By actually touching these tools, you can experience the changes and have fun. I myself have always loved sketching, and the modeling process is what I enjoy most in my current job. I am so into SketchUp that I even use it to kill time on the train, and I am teaching my children how to use it too. They seem to be having a lot of fun using it, outputting modeled data on a 3D printer to create mysterious cubes. As mentioned above, I think it's interesting to be able to experience changes by "touching" it. Since its founding in 1975, Yoshisho Architecture and Crafts has consistently worked on shrine and temple architecture, which is the core of Japanese architecture. In 2023, the company's master carpenter, Sukeyo Yoshikawa was awarded the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award in recognition of his contributions to cultural heritage protection through the preservation and repair of national treasures and important cultural property buildings (mainly in the Kanto region), and training the next generation of architects.

Need to produce high-quality visuals directly from your SketchUp models? SketchUp Studio users can access V-Ray directly to create photorealistic renderings, helping to eliminate design ambiguity and reach consensus more quickly. For MacOS users, no worries - you can purchase V-Ray 7 separately. And with the new updates, V-Ray 7 delivers up to 3X Faster on MacBooks – New Metal support triples rendering performance when using both the GPU and CPU sides of Apple M4 processors, while doubling performance on M3 processors. For SketchUp Pro users, we can offer an option for you try out V-Ray 7 for free . Did you know V-Ray has been honored with an Academy Award and an Engineering Emmy . Used on hundreds of movies and shows, including hits like Iron Man 3, Spiderman- No Way Home , and TV series like Game of Thrones, Stranger Things and Star Trek: Discovery, V-Ray ensures a seamless blend of real and virtual elements on screen through the use of physically based rendering and adaptive ray tracing. Optimized to handle large production scenes, V-Ray is used to render digital environments, digidoubles, creatures, vehicles and more in a highly efficient way, helping it take hold at prestigious studios like Digital Domain, Zoic Studios, Scanline VFX, FuseFX, Mackevision and more. With a V-Ray subscription, you can access Chaos Cosmos , your built-in, render-ready content library featuring hundreds of high-quality 3D models: vegetation, furniture, lighting, accessories, people, etc. All assets are optimized for performance and render beautifully, whether you’re previewing in SketchUp, viewing in Vision, or producing final output with ray tracing. Best part? It’s searchable, always expanding, and included in your toolbar. Compatibility with Enscape Users can transfer real-time scenes from Enscape into V-Ray, including materials, 3D models, and lights, for a seamless end-to-end design process. By presenting your design story, you can showcase proposal merits to clients, and win more work. With SketchUp 2025, there is a significant speed boost in SketchUp Viewport. Additionally, there is a new Simplified Material Binding where the material viewport preview configuration is streamlined and made more intuitive. New for V-Ray 7 Gaussian Splats - Designers can now tap the power of Gaussian Splats for virtual tours and eye-catching effects — all in one place. You can quickly produce complex 3D environments from photos or video, using presets and other tools that reduce most processes down to a couple of clicks. With native support for Gaussian Splats, it is now possible to place buildings in context or render rich, detailed environments that can be reflected and accept shadows. Interactive Tours - Use Chaos Cloud , optimized for seamless CAD and 3D design workflow. Collect design reviews and keep everything on track via a single cloud-based platform for easy creative workflows. Users can now create advanced virtual tours, collaborative design reviews and smart rendering. It’s ideal for engaging your clients in immersive exploration of interior designs, landscape and urban architectural projects - from anywhere and on any device. These immersive panoramic experiences are highly customizable and you can add floorplans, contextual details, and design elements. In the V-Ray Framebuffer, go to tab "Collaboration".  Start using interactive virtual tours by creating a new project and upload all visual materials to communicate your design concepts.  Automatically generate hotspots in the Chaos Cloud Web UI.  Personalize the hotspots in your project and provide more information about any design detail, significantly enriching the user experience. Adjust the size of the hotspot and choose from a range of icon and color options. Invite stakeholders to collaborate and share visuals or panoramas, projects and/or selected folders.  Manage user permissions by role and access type. Anyone can use Chaos Cloud virtual tours and design reviews You don’t need to be a Chaos customer to use Cloud virtual tours and collaborate during design reviews. Here is how anyone can join: Open cloud.chaos.com or access it from the product page . Create a Chaos account if this is the first time you are using Chaos products. Or if you are already a Chaos customer, login with your account. Start using interactive virtual tours by creating a new project and upload all visual materials to communicate your design concepts.  Customize the user experience with floorplans, hotspots, and transitions. Invite peers to collaborate and manage user permissions by role and access type. "My team uses renders for a client’s review. For people that aren’t used to CAD or 3D modeling, the rendering helps them visualize how a building will look when it’s complete, which is ideal for getting approvals or conveying design intent." Scott Miller, Architecture & Design director from The Remington Group Additional Features and Improvements V-Ray Frame Buffer Updates Freeform Render Region – Designers can now re-render specific parts of their image with any shape they want. With limitless flexibility, users can render multiple regions at once, or hone in on a single area they want to fine-tune. Color-Correction Presets – A new color-correction filters library can quickly boost the visual appearance of a render, providing users with quick access to many high-quality grading options. Vignetting Layer – Vignette camera effects can now be added using quick shaping controls, helping users bring more attention to the center of an image. Artistic Aids Layered Textures – A powerful new layering system will bring a Photoshop-esque experience to high-detail textures. Each texture layer can be stacked and tweaked with complete control over opacity, blending modes and more. Gradient Texture Remapping – Advanced UV mapping capabilities now enable an advanced texture recoloring workflow. This is especially useful for procedural texture edits like pattern colorization, brick randomization and custom wallpaper designs. V-Ray Luminaires – The ever-expanding Chaos Cosmos asset library, accessible through V-Ray, now brings a new light fixture optimization called Luminaires, which preserves the accurate light distribution while optimizing render times. Most of the light fixtures within Chaos Cosmos are now Luminaires in V-Ray 7.  Light Mix for Emissive Materials – Light Mix now lets designers adjust the intensity and color of specific emissive materials after rendering, for better lighting control and customizable renders.  Enhanced V-Ray Sun & Sky – For designers looking to create nautical twilight looks, V-Ray 7 offers an improved PRG sky model that can create more realistic images and immersive animations. V-Ray Sky can also now render various observer altitudes up to several kilometers. Firefly Removal – V-Ray 7’s new algorithm automatically detects and finishes unresolved pixels, known as “fireflies,” during bucket rendering, greatly reducing the time needed to produce final images.  Scatter Tools Edge Trimming – Scattered elements now fit perfectly within set boundary lines, making it easier to populate any precisely defined area.  Camera Clipping – Users can now limit scattered instances to the current view of their camera. Chaos Cosmos Improvements Non-Destructive Material Override – Users can now swap out Cosmos object materials without breaking the asset’s connection to Cosmos. Asset Variants Support – Chaos Cosmos now has more asset variations to choose from, including seasonal options for 3D vegetation models (ex: summer or autumn leaves). Once users select their desired variant, they can just drag and drop it into their scene or even change the variant at a later stage.  400 New Render-Ready Assets – V-Ray 7 incorporates the latest Chaos Cosmos update, which is packed with 250+ vegetation models , 70+ static people featuring both single and couple-based poses and new furniture from IWC Home and Fanuli . GPU Boosts Faster “Time to First Pixel” – New optimizations for scatter rendering, texture heavy scenes, data uploads and geometry compilations offer a better interactive rendering experience and a faster time to first pixel for speed-conscious users. Caustics Support – V-Ray GPU now supports caustics, enabling realistic surface reflections and refractions in both production and interactive rendering. The new Caustics solver is also optimized to fully utilize GPU hardware, delivering significantly faster results than a CPU. RAM for Texture Memory – Textures are no longer processed by V-Ray GPU, giving users the ability to employ even bigger textures without worrying about memory constraints. How to access it Your SketchUp Studio subscription is Windows-only. You can use V-Ray 7 directly in SketchUp on your CPU or GPU, V-Ray Vision, and Chaos Cosmos.   Simply download the V-Ray installer through your Account Management Portal under “My Products” and start using it. You also get access to Chaos Cloud, which allows you to render your 3D models straight in the cloud, freeing up your computer to do other work. That means you can get the power of V-Ray without expensive hardware: It’s all powered in the cloud. You can easily submit render jobs to Chaos Cloud directly from V-Ray for SketchUp's interface. It handles everything for you automatically - from licensing and uploading your scenes to launching virtual machines - so you get your job done fast. SketchUp Studio is a Windows-only offering and includes only a Windows installer for V-Ray. V-Ray is not currently available to Higher Education Studio Subscription holders. .

Explores various levels of tree detailing in SketchUp, from 2D to high-poly 3D models, and understand rendering differences to optimize landscape architecture designs. Adding a forest to your SketchUp project can transform a flat landscape into a vibrant, lifelike scene. Whether you're designing an architectural visualization, a game environment, or a 3D animation, forests add depth and realism. Below is our recommendations of creating a realistic forest in SketchUp, from importing tree models to optimizing performance. Step 1: Setting Up Your SketchUp Project Before diving into tree placement, ensure your project is set up correctly: Open SketchUp and start a new project. Set the Units (Window > Model Info > Units) to match your scene’s scale (e.g., meters for large landscapes). Enable Shadows (View > Shadows) to see how light interacts with your trees. Step 2: Gathering Tree Models & Textures A realistic forest requires high-quality tree assets. Here’s where to find them: SketchUp 3D Warehouse (Free) – Search for "tree" and filter by "High-Quality Models." External Sources – Websites like Turbosquid , CGTrader , or SketchUpTexture offer paid and free models. Plugins for Vegetation – Extensions like Laubwerk , Skatter , or 3D Vegetation provide customizable trees. 🔹 Pro Tip: Use low-poly trees for large forests to keep your model lightweight. Step 3: Importing and Placing Trees Import Tree Models Go to File > Import and select your tree model (.skp, .dae, or .fbx). Ensure "Use as Component" is checked for easy duplication. Scatter Trees Naturally Avoid perfect alignment—nature is random! Use the Move (M) and Rotate (Q) tools to vary tree positions. Adjust scale ( S key ) for different tree sizes. Use Components for Efficiency Right-click a tree and select "Make Component." Duplicate ( Ctrl + Move ) to populate the forest efficiently. Step 4: Adding Ground Cover & Vegetation A forest isn’t just trees—undergrowth makes it believable. Add Bushes & Shrubs Import smaller plants and scatter them near trees. Use Skatter (a plugin) for automatic distribution. Apply Grass & Ground Textures Open the Materials Panel (Window > Materials). Import or select a grass texture and paint the ground. Adjust texture scale for realism. Step 5: Enhancing Realism with Textures & Shadows Adjust Tree Materials Some imported trees may need texture tweaks. Use the Paint Bucket (B) tool to modify bark and leaves. Enable Realistic Shadows Go to View > Shadows and adjust time/date for natural lighting. Soften shadows under trees for depth. Step 6: Optimizing Performance Large forests can slow down SketchUp. Keep your model smooth with these tips: ✅ Use Proxy Models – Replace high-poly trees with simplified versions while working. ✅ Hide Distant Trees – Use layers (Window > Layers) to toggle visibility. ✅ Purge Unused Assets – Go to Window > Model Info > Statistics > Purge Unused . Final Step: Rendering Your Forest (Optional) For professional presentations, export your scene with a renderer like: V-Ray (Photorealistic renders) Lumion (Real-time landscape rendering) Enscape (Fast architectural visualization) Conclusion Creating a forest in SketchUp involves smart asset placement, natural variation, and performance optimization. By following this guide, you can build lush, realistic forests that enhance your 3D projects. 🔹 Want More? Try experimenting with different tree species, seasonal colors, or animated wind effects for extra realism!