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An Overview of SketchUp Tool Sets

Amos Soo
Updated

SketchUp comes with a wide array of tool sets and though it may seem a bit overwhelming at first to a new user, it's actually very easy to navigate once you understand where they sit in your SketchUp tool palette. For your easy reference, the following tables highlight the core features for each tool and which tool set they come under:   

  • Analysis Tool Set 

  • Scanning Tool Set 

  • Modeling Tool Set 

  • Viewer Tool Set

  • Rendering Tool Set 

  • Collaboration Tool Set 

 

Analysis Tool Set 

Usage Analysis Tool Set 
PreDesign  Sefaira (EDU only)
Collect Real World Data  ✓ ✓
Generate Ideas  ✓  
Geolocation and Terrain ✓ *  
Available in :     
SketchUp Studio ✓  
SketchUp Pro  ✓  
SketchUp EDU  ✓ ✓

* Site Location and Climate Data 

 

Scanning Tool Set 

Usage Scanning Tool Set 
Scan Essentials Scan-to-Design (iPad)

Mobile Device Applications (LiDAR scanning) 
Collect Real World Data  ✓ ✓ ✓
Generate Ideas    ✓  
Import Data  ✓ ✓ ✓
Work with Point Cloud  ✓   ✓
Create 3D Models    ✓  
Geolocation and Terrain ✓    
Work On the Go    ✓  
Available in :       
SketchUp Studio ✓ ✓  
SketchUp Pro    ✓  
SketchUp Go    ✓  
SketchUp EDU  ✓ ✓  
Free Download      ✓

 

Modeling Tool Set

Usage Modeling  Tool Set
SketchUp Pro  Sandbox Tools  SketchUp for iPad  3D Warehouse  Live Components LayOut  Ambient Occlusion  Add Location 
Collect Real World Data                ✓
Generate Ideas  ✓   ✓ ✓   ✓    
Import Data  ✓   ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓    
Export Data ✓     ✓*   ✓    
Work with Point Cloud            ✓**    
Create 2D Drawings            ✓    
Create 3D Models  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓      
Geolocation and Terrain   ✓           ✓
Enhance Visualisation              ✓  
Share Files  ✓   ✓          
Work On the Go      ✓          
Improve Workflows          ✓      
Available in :                 
SketchUp Studio ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Pro  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Go    ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓   ✓ ✓
SketchUp EDU  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

* Ability to upload models to 3D Warehouse

** For viewing Point Clouds only

 

Viewer Tool Set 

Usage Viewer Tool Set 
Viewer for Desktop  Mobile Viewer  Viewer for Meta Quest  Trimble Connect Visualizer  AR/VR Extension for Desktop
Communicate Your Designs  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Enhance Visualisation    ✓ ✓* ✓ ✓
Share Files  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work On the Go  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Available in :           
SketchUp Studio ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Pro  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Go  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓  
SketchUp EDU  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Free Download  ✓   ✓    

* Allows experiential design review

 

Rendering Tool Set

Usage Rendering  Tool Set
V-Ray  (Studio only) Diffusion  Trimble Connect Visualizer 
Generate Ideas  ✓ ✓ ✓
Communicate Your Designs  ✓ ✓ ✓
Enhance Visualisation  ✓ ✓ ✓
Share Files      ✓
Work On the Go      ✓
Available in :       
SketchUp Studio ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Pro    ✓ ✓
SketchUp Go    ✓ ✓
SketchUp EDU    ✓ ✓

 

Collaboration Tool Set

Usage Collaboration Tool Set 
Revit Importer (MS Windows only)  Trimble Connect Business SketchUp for iPad  Extension Warehouse 
Generate Ideas      ✓  
Import Data  ✓ ✓ ✓  
Create 3D Models      ✓  
Communicate Your Designs    ✓    
Share Files  ✓ ✓ ✓  
Work On the Go    ✓ ✓  
Improve Workflows    ✓   ✓
Available in :         
SketchUp Studio ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Pro    ✓ ✓ ✓
SketchUp Go    ✓ ✓  
SketchUp EDU  ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

 

 

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