During the AIA Convention 2009 we had the chance to talk to different AEC software companies, to learn how they are helping architects. We decided to keep the conversation on the same interview format we have been using, so you can hear it straight from the developers.
Our first interview was with John Bacus, Product Manager for Google Sketchup. We focused our interview on how SketchUp is helping architects by providing a cost efficient tool, both in price and time, that is also extendable via powerful plugins.
Also, we talked on how this product is being used by communities around the world to populate Google Earth with 3D models of their cities. You can see examples of these communities here and here.
Stay tuned for more interviews.
I have been using sketchup for almost four years as a primary design tool on a wide range of commercial projects. It’s wonderful to use, simple, versatile & powerful.
To those who discredit sketchup: you’re missing out on something special. Try it again.
In conjunction with Google Earth, I predict that in the very near future, sketchup is going to become a defacto design tool in the industry.
I totally agree with ripbang in terms of how versatile and easy to use this product is.
The way this product can be integrated with google earth is a blast.
Sketch is genious ! as simple as pen in your hand!
It is great for conceptual massing. No matter how careful I am to group things when constructing them the faces always end up sticking. Editing the models with any reality and complexity is a nightmare for me. I wish it had actual architectural tools. I always have to recreate and develop my models in Archicad which offers more control but is not as flexible in design.
I am really sad the Sketchup has not developed much since the Google takeover and I think they don’s care about architects needs. I am currently looking at Bonzai 3d, but it has a steeper learning curve.