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SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for professional architects, civil engineers, filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. It was designed to be more intuitive, flexible, and easier to use than other 3D CAD programs.[1] It is marketed as an easy-to-use conceptual tool with a simple interface. A well known feature in the SketchUp World is the 3D Warehouse. Users can use their Google Accounts to upload models, and then browse the 3D Warehouse for many components and models. Some of its key features and uses include: • A "smart" drawing cursor (inference) system that allows users to draw 3D objects using a 2D screen and mouse. • Simple massing study capability via "push-pull". • "Follow Me," which creates 3D forms by extruding 2D surfaces along predetermined paths. • Ability to animate camera and sun movements. • Interoperability with Google Earth. On April 27, 2006, Google announced Google Sketch Up, a freely-downloadable version of Sketch Up. The free version is not as capable as Sketch up Pro 6, but it includes integrated tools for uploading content to Google Earth and to the Google 3D Warehouse, a repository of models created in Sketch Up. The free version of Google Sketchup exports to a number of 3D formats, including Google Earth .kmz files, while the Pro version extends support to include .3ds, .dwg, .dxf, .fbx, .obj, .xsi, and .wrl file formats. Google SketchUp can also save "screenshots" of the model as .bmp, .png, .jpg, .tif, with the Pro version also supporting .pdf, .eps, .epx, .dwg, and .dxf. Tools Some basic tools used in Sketch Up are: Drawing tools • Line This is used to draw a regular straight line. • Arc This tool can create an arc from two points and a drag. • Freehand This allows the user to scribble and create a freehand figure. • Circle The user can make circles by clicking a point and dragging out the radius. • Polygon Polygons are constructed in much the same way as circles; they are clicked and dragged. • Rectangle This tool is used to make rectangles, by clicking and dragging to adjust the length and width. • Follow me This tool makes a polygon be extruded along a set path. • 3D Text This tool allows the user to create 3D text, with customizable fonts, sizes, and formatting. Editing tools • Push/pull The push/pull is a tool that grabs a two-dimensional surface and pushes or pulls it into three dimensions. This, Google claims in the tutorial, is the main idea of Google Sketch Up. U.S. patent #6,628,279 is a patent for this technology. • Rotate A protractor is used to angle selected geometrical pieces. • Move The user's mouse can select and move pieces on the three different axes or on some combination of the three. • Link Other useful tools can be found at Sketch Up’s