SketchUp is a 3D digital model and architectural drawing tool that began life as a Google project (the free app, “Google SketchUp”). It is now a commercial application developed by Trimble. However, common to Google applications the programme still has a characteristically simple and flat interface and is interoperable with a number of other 3D production tools. In-program, the models in progress have a distinctive “sketchy” look, with solid black outlines and flat colour.
Users can create models using lines and shapes. For example, a “house” model can very quickly be created by placing a cube onto the design area and drawing a “roof” using the line (pencil) tool. Closed shapes automatically become “faces,” the filled and ostensibly solid surface of a shape.
The programme comes in several versions, including a free web version that can be used to create simple 3D models and plans. There is also an EDU suite, used throughout this project, that gives users access to “SketchUp Pro” features – including export capability in a range of formats. This version also grants users access to a suite of auxiliary tools, including a version of the app for iPad, VR viewing tools and “Layout”, a programme that converts architectural models to 2D blueprints.
While other modelling tools feature more sophisticated shape creation and rendering options, SketchUp can be extended using plug-ins, enabling users to tailor the application to their needs. In the course of this project, for example, I used plug-ins that enabled me to access SketchUp directly through a VR headset, a plug-in for rendering light and textures effectively, and export plug-ins. Some plugins are free, others have a small charge.
A significant plug-in bundled with the application integrates access to “3D Warehouse,” an open-source repository for 3D models. Users can freely upload models they have created in SketchUp or download models and use them without further payment in their own models. The repository dates back to Google’s ownership of the tool, and models are interoperable with other 3D design and authoring tools.
Other plug-ins can be integrated into the programme, extending functionality. I’ve installed and continued to use dedicated light plug-ins, a SketchFab model uploader, and tools to reduce the complexity of models.
I used SketchUp to create models of the set of Alfred Hitchock’s film Rope and Abbey Road Studio 2. The models were then rendered in different ways and exported to other platforms.
Feelings
As I had used SketchUp since its very earliest iteration as “Google SketchUp”, I turned to this app first when “relearning” to build 3D models and objects for this project. I have previously used tools like 3D Construction Kit, Caligari Truespace and level building tools like Hammer.
It felt relatively easy to build architectural spaces in SketchUp. Although it may have originally been conceived as a simple modelling tool it lends itself to recreation of the built environment – and it is not difficult to explore that process with some experience of 3D design.
I was frustrated with some elements of the user interface, which have become more sophisticated over time. I also felt that I was not familiar enough with the keyboard shortcuts that might help me navigate between different tool modes quickly. Some features are “nested,” meaning that the user selects a tool and then a sub-tool to access the tool they want.
Evaluation
Professional VR developers do not appear to see SketchUp as a “professional” tool for 3D space design due to the “messiness” of its output. Dedicated game development and modelling tools automatically optimise spatial models for use in game engines. However, there are features for optimising models in SketchUp—to remove hidden elements and faces—before exporting to other formats.
Some tools are “hidden” as options of other tools. As is the case with many software applications with a long history of development and augmentation, the only way to learn and find these tools is to use them.
There are no real scripting features in SketchUp, so it is not a complete solution to VR journalism creation. Still, it is a very powerful tool for building spaces that can be imported into and augmented by interactivity available on other platforms.
Sketch-Up is excellent for creating “built environments”; interiors and exteriors. It’s reliance on vector shapes makes it less convincing when we attempt to recreate natural environments. However, it is a strong introductory tool for space building. The 3D Warehouse feature is persuasive to this argument, enabling users to assemble spaces using prefabricated elements quickly.
Application
I am already using SketchUp as a key rapid prototyping tool with output to other platforms to add VR capability (SketchFab, Spatial). It would be useful to develop an entry-level workflow so that others can follow this development pipeline. One feature worth exploring in SketchUp is the ability to save workspaces, and it would be a worthwhile exercise to create an optimised workspace for the production of journalism content.
In its most recent incarnation (SketchUp 2024), SketchUp also provides better support for dealing with photogrammetric models and point clouds.
Conclusions
Although there are more sophisticated and complete tools for creating VR experiences, it’s argued that these tools are prohibitively complex for people with entry-level development skills and that SketchUp provides an easier point of entry for rapid prototyping.
Although the interface has idiosyncrasies, these are surmountable and, like many new interfaces, easier to navigate once we understand the central metaphor. Some people are creating very advanced work with SketchUp.
The direct connection to an existing repository of models (3D Warehouse) is also very attractive for assembling content quickly. SketchUp is the easiest tool to create architectural spaces and animation – but lacks interactive authoring.