Dave Richards
Member
- Messages
- 2,927
- Location
- SE Minnesota
In an e-mail I found when I got to my computer today I was asked to look at a thread on a different woodworking forum. In that thread the OP was asking about SketchUp versions and from what he wrote, he was clearly misinformed about the available choices. The majority of responders had plenty to say but were also, sadly, misinformed. Since I was told by several moderators of that forum that my participation isn't welcome, I'm no longer posting there. Anyway, I thought I'd put something here in case any of our members have similar concerns.
This is in no way meant to be an advertisement or promotional. I don't stand to benefit from this other than maybe not having to repeat it a bunch of times. I'm just trying to help get the right information out there. Those who use SketchUp already know that it can be very a very useful addition to their shops. For those who prefer something else, that's great. I'm not trying to change your mind.
SketchUp Make: The last version of SketchUp Make is 2017. It is still available for non-commercial, hobbyist use, here. This version will continue to be available for a long time. I had a conversation with someone from Trimble about this because I'll be teaching a SketchUp class at Fine Woodworking Live in April of next year and I wanted to make sure the SU Make would be available and he assured me they won't be removing it from the line up. While SketchUp Make is no longer getting updates, there's no problem continuing to use it. I have a copy of SketchUp 3 from 2003 on my computer and it runs just fine. Actually it runs better than I remember it doing when I started with it because my hardware is better.
SketchUp Free: This is their browser based offering for hobbyists. Like SketchUp Make, it isn't licensed for commercial use. Because this version runs in your Internet browser, it doesn't matter what your operating system is. You can run it on cheap things like Chrome Books. (that was one of the key reasons it was developed. I could go into that if there's interest.) For woodworkers I think that has an appeal even if you are using a desktop client version of SketchUp on your good computer on your desk, you can have access to your SketchUp models in your dusty shop where you might not want to take your good computer.
Note that you could use Sketchup 2017 on your good computer and SketchUp Free in the shop.
The UI is different in this version but all the native tools are there and even some that Make doesn't have. It doesn't have the option to use extensions but the majority of SketchUp users don't use anything but the native tools. It is a very capable modeling and design tool, though. And every time you open it, you are getting the latest version of it. Although it requires an internet connection to open it, once it is open it uses very little bandwidth. You really only need a connection to save to the included cloud storage or to access the 3D Warehouse. I've done complete models in SketchUp Free with my computer disconnected from the router and the router powered off and had no trouble at all. SketchUp Free does include 10 Gb of cloud storage.
SketchUp Shop: Like SketchUp Free, this is web based but it is licensed for commercial use. It has options for importing and exporting more file types such as dxf and dwg files (think CNC router work) and it offers more tools as well as the ability to edit materials and styles. The current price is $119/year which also includes unlimited cloud storage and AR Viewer. SketchUp Shop could be useful if you need to go see a client to show them the project. Take your little Chrome Book or even use their computer. You can show them all the details and options and even make edits with them sitting there next to you if you want. I've used it to show models I've done to our FIRST Robotics team at the school using the computer that they have hooked up to the projector. No need to drag my computer in and rewire things.
SketchUp 2019 Pro: The current desktop client version. Of course licensed for commercial use. More import and export options than Make, more tools, geo-location feature includes terrain and aerial imagery (great if you are doing buildings), includes LayOut and Style Builder. LayOut is the tool to use for creating documents you might send to a client or construction plans or full size patterns to use for making templates in the shop. CAD exports from both SketchUp and LayOut can be used to create toolpath files for CNC equipment.
There are currently three licensing options for SketchUp Pro.
Classic is currently $695. This gets you a perpetual license. If you were to buy this license now, it would also include the license for SketchUp 2020 when it is released. You get SketchUp Pro, LayOut, Style Builder, 10 Gb of cloud storage, and the mobile viewer. If you choose to keep Maintenance and Support up to date, that costs $120/year and you get a license for the new version when it is released. If you don't keep the Maintenance and Support current, you can continue using the version you have indefinitely. I don't know why but people who want to complain about the subscription license like to ignore that the Classic license is available.
Subscription license is currently $299/year. This gets you SketchUp Pro, LayOut, Style Builder, SketchUp Shop, unlimited cloud storage, AR mobile viewer, Vive, Oculus, and Hololens viewers. Functionally SketchUp Pro and LayOut are the same as with the Classic license , you just get more stuff. It will quit working like any other subscription if you don't keep it up to date. This option can be more appealing for some businesses due to the lower initial cost (might be under the capital expense dollar limit) but if you aren't going to use more than SketchUp Pro and LayOut, the Classic license might make more sense.
Again, this is not an advertisement and I don't get anything out of it myself. I'm just trying help clarify some misinformation that is being stuck out there by others who don't actually know the facts or maybe don't want to present the facts.
This thread isn't for arguing over which software is the best. If you have questions about the SketchUp versions available or how to do something in any version of it, I'm happy to answer them. If someone wants a one-on-one thing like I've done with some of our members, send me a PM. I'm glad to help out fellow woodworkers if I can.
This is in no way meant to be an advertisement or promotional. I don't stand to benefit from this other than maybe not having to repeat it a bunch of times. I'm just trying to help get the right information out there. Those who use SketchUp already know that it can be very a very useful addition to their shops. For those who prefer something else, that's great. I'm not trying to change your mind.
SketchUp Make: The last version of SketchUp Make is 2017. It is still available for non-commercial, hobbyist use, here. This version will continue to be available for a long time. I had a conversation with someone from Trimble about this because I'll be teaching a SketchUp class at Fine Woodworking Live in April of next year and I wanted to make sure the SU Make would be available and he assured me they won't be removing it from the line up. While SketchUp Make is no longer getting updates, there's no problem continuing to use it. I have a copy of SketchUp 3 from 2003 on my computer and it runs just fine. Actually it runs better than I remember it doing when I started with it because my hardware is better.
SketchUp Free: This is their browser based offering for hobbyists. Like SketchUp Make, it isn't licensed for commercial use. Because this version runs in your Internet browser, it doesn't matter what your operating system is. You can run it on cheap things like Chrome Books. (that was one of the key reasons it was developed. I could go into that if there's interest.) For woodworkers I think that has an appeal even if you are using a desktop client version of SketchUp on your good computer on your desk, you can have access to your SketchUp models in your dusty shop where you might not want to take your good computer.
Note that you could use Sketchup 2017 on your good computer and SketchUp Free in the shop.
The UI is different in this version but all the native tools are there and even some that Make doesn't have. It doesn't have the option to use extensions but the majority of SketchUp users don't use anything but the native tools. It is a very capable modeling and design tool, though. And every time you open it, you are getting the latest version of it. Although it requires an internet connection to open it, once it is open it uses very little bandwidth. You really only need a connection to save to the included cloud storage or to access the 3D Warehouse. I've done complete models in SketchUp Free with my computer disconnected from the router and the router powered off and had no trouble at all. SketchUp Free does include 10 Gb of cloud storage.
SketchUp Shop: Like SketchUp Free, this is web based but it is licensed for commercial use. It has options for importing and exporting more file types such as dxf and dwg files (think CNC router work) and it offers more tools as well as the ability to edit materials and styles. The current price is $119/year which also includes unlimited cloud storage and AR Viewer. SketchUp Shop could be useful if you need to go see a client to show them the project. Take your little Chrome Book or even use their computer. You can show them all the details and options and even make edits with them sitting there next to you if you want. I've used it to show models I've done to our FIRST Robotics team at the school using the computer that they have hooked up to the projector. No need to drag my computer in and rewire things.
SketchUp 2019 Pro: The current desktop client version. Of course licensed for commercial use. More import and export options than Make, more tools, geo-location feature includes terrain and aerial imagery (great if you are doing buildings), includes LayOut and Style Builder. LayOut is the tool to use for creating documents you might send to a client or construction plans or full size patterns to use for making templates in the shop. CAD exports from both SketchUp and LayOut can be used to create toolpath files for CNC equipment.
There are currently three licensing options for SketchUp Pro.
Classic is currently $695. This gets you a perpetual license. If you were to buy this license now, it would also include the license for SketchUp 2020 when it is released. You get SketchUp Pro, LayOut, Style Builder, 10 Gb of cloud storage, and the mobile viewer. If you choose to keep Maintenance and Support up to date, that costs $120/year and you get a license for the new version when it is released. If you don't keep the Maintenance and Support current, you can continue using the version you have indefinitely. I don't know why but people who want to complain about the subscription license like to ignore that the Classic license is available.
Subscription license is currently $299/year. This gets you SketchUp Pro, LayOut, Style Builder, SketchUp Shop, unlimited cloud storage, AR mobile viewer, Vive, Oculus, and Hololens viewers. Functionally SketchUp Pro and LayOut are the same as with the Classic license , you just get more stuff. It will quit working like any other subscription if you don't keep it up to date. This option can be more appealing for some businesses due to the lower initial cost (might be under the capital expense dollar limit) but if you aren't going to use more than SketchUp Pro and LayOut, the Classic license might make more sense.
Again, this is not an advertisement and I don't get anything out of it myself. I'm just trying help clarify some misinformation that is being stuck out there by others who don't actually know the facts or maybe don't want to present the facts.
This thread isn't for arguing over which software is the best. If you have questions about the SketchUp versions available or how to do something in any version of it, I'm happy to answer them. If someone wants a one-on-one thing like I've done with some of our members, send me a PM. I'm glad to help out fellow woodworkers if I can.
Last edited: