After having acquired the makers of the 3D modeling software SketchUp, last month Google released the free version called Google SketchUp. Even though it has less features than the full version called SketchUp Pro, it has all the features you will need for most simpler (and some not so simple) 3D modeling projects.

I have previously been employed in the game development industry, so I have some experience with the usual modeling packages like 3D Studio Max and Lightwave, but the beauty of SketchUp is that it is not like the “usual” modeling tool, it is much simpler! Even if you are a complete novice in 3D modeling the simplicity of SketchUp makes it possible to learn very quickly by following the helpful tutorials available on the website. Dedicate an hour to learn the different basic features of the program and you are ready to starte experimenting.

What I have found Google SketchUp to be really good at is making a dimensional accurate 3D model of your home for remodeling purposes. SketchUp has this feature called the tape measure tool that makes it possible to measure the exact distance between 2 points and it will automatically snap to walls and corners. You can see it in action here :

This means that when you have made a 3D model of your home, you do not need to go and measure distances in real life anymore - furthermore you can actually measure distances across walls and other obstacles that make measuring in real life difficult.

When you are ready to start the remodeling you can view a part of your 3D home model and decorate it with the “dimension tool” so it is ready for printing and use during the remodeling work :

I have used the SketchUp tool for making a model of my house and let me tell you, the hardest part was the initial real life measuring so I could be sure to get a dimensional accurate model. The whole process took a few hours and I am very pleased with the initial result, it really makes it easier to get a feel for the 3-dimensional structure of the house. So all in all Google SketchUp is highly recommended as a tool for your remodelling purposes. Because it is so easy to use, I really want to develop the model further to include my garden and 1st floor/roof but you can see the result of my initial few hours of work here :