Trimble to Enhance Office-to-Field Platform with Acquisition of Google’s SketchUp

Trimble has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SketchUp, one of the most popular 3-D modeling tools, from Google. SketchUp is used for designing, modeling and visualizing projects. The product and its vision of “3-D modeling for everyone” has allowed modelers worldwide, across a wide range of industries, to express design concepts easily, accurately and efficiently. Additionally, users benefit from its extensive third-party developer community that provides industry-specific solutions for a variety of customers.

As part of the SketchUp platform, Trimble will also partner with Google on running and further developing SketchUp’s 3-D Warehouse, an online repository where users can find, share, store and collaborate on 3-D models. The site enables users to create collections of models, including 3-D Buildings, and share with fellow modelers around the world. Individual models can be loaded, saved and viewed in 3-D from within SketchUp or a web browser.

In the future, Google will host and operate the 3-D Warehouse for Trimble and together the companies will continue to offer the same capabilities, functions and services offered today. The ability for users to submit 3-D Buildings for potential acceptance and viewing in Google Earth will be maintained. Currently the 3D Warehouse has almost 2 million user-generated models.

“SketchUp and the corresponding 3-D Warehouse provide an important element of our long term strategy by enhancing the integration of our field presence with the wider enterprise,” said Bryn Fosburgh, Trimble vice president. “Trimble has already created the de-facto standard for field data models and project management tools for our key markets. SketchUp, together with these existing capabilities, will provide a stand-alone and enterprise solution that will enable an integrated and seamless workflow to reduce rework and improve productivity for the customer. Users will be able to collect data, design, model, and collaborate on one platform. The combined capability will enhance our ability to extend our existing market applications including the cadastral, heavy civil, and building and construction industries. In addition, the SketchUp platform will enable Trimble, third-party developers and our distribution partners to efficiently develop new applications.”

For more information, visit: http://3d.trimble.com.