Google Sketchup is hands down one the most impressive freeware programs on the web today. With Google Sketchup, you can create amazing 3d images with very little effort. The ease and functionability of this program will have you rendering images in very little time.

Google Sketchup offers online video tutorials, a help structure with an answer to virtually any question you may have, and the best part is, it is free for personal use.

Personally, I’ve always wanted to get into 3d modeling, but with the cost of similar programs on the web, I could never afford to. Similar programs can run from 200 to 4,000 dollars!

Sketchup allows you to upload your 3d models into 3d Warehouse. 3d warehouse is a new feature to Sketchup allowing you to search, share, and store your models with the Sketchup Community.

Sketchup works closely with Google Earth, and allows you to place your finished models within the Google Earth database. Google Earth is basically a globe that you can view, pointing and zooming to anywhere on the earth that you want to explore.

Within just 2 days of using this software, I was able to create and view the addition that is currently being constructed on my home down to the very last detail. The accuracy of Sketchup is outstanding, allowing real life models to be constructed within a quarter of an inch!

Whether you’re tackling a project around the house, or just looking to tinker with 3d modeling, Sketchup is one program you should not forget.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, November 14th, 2006 at 10:42 am under Open source.

Read more entries by George Gardner.
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