SketchUp
Design & BIM
Trimble's 3D modeling software, known for being far easier to pick up than a full BIM platform like Revit, which is why it shows up everywhere from architecture firms to a contractor's own design-build sketches.
What it does
SketchUp trades some of Revit's deep parametric building intelligence for a much gentler learning curve, letting someone without formal CAD training build a real 3D model quickly. Its companion tool, LayOut, turns that 3D model into 2D construction documents, and higher tiers add point cloud and scan-to-3D workflows for modeling existing conditions. It can import and export Revit models and standard formats like IFC and DWG, so it fits into a project's workflow rather than replacing the rest of it.
Key features
- An approachable 3D modeling interface that doesn't require the steeper learning curve of a full BIM platform
- LayOut, a companion tool for turning a 3D model into 2D construction documents
- Point cloud and scan-to-3D workflows on its higher tiers for modeling existing conditions
- Import and export compatibility with Revit models and industry-standard formats like IFC and DWG
How it's actually used
- A design-build contractor sketches a remodel concept in SketchUp to show a homeowner before committing to full construction drawings
- A field team imports a point cloud scan of an existing building into SketchUp to model conditions that were never fully documented on paper
Tutorials
Tutorial videos for this tool are coming soon.
Good to know
- Pricing:
- Subscription-based across several tiers, from a lighter web and iPad plan up through professional desktop and point cloud focused tiers.
- Website:
- https://sketchup.trimble.com
Reviewed 2026-09. Costs, timelines, and licensing details vary by location and change over time. Treat these as a starting point, not a quote.
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