SketchUp Viewer is a software apps which can help you explore, and present 3D models created with SketchUp. Developed by Trimble, the company which is behind the SketchUp tool, this is an essential tool for architects and designers. SketchUp Viewer will help you view and interact with SketchUp models without needing the full SketchUp software installed. This is a great solution (with a free version) if you’re looking to share designs with clients, colleagues or any stakeholders who may not have access to the complete SketchUp package.
What’s great with SketchUp Viewer is that it has a super intuitive navigation system. You can very easily orbit around models using one finger, pan with two fingers, and zoom in or out using a pinch gesture. It’s a touch-based interface and it’s very easy to use on mobile and apps. If you’re using the desktop version, traditional mouse and keyboard controls are also supported by the viewer.
The viewer by Trimble includes a “Select” tool that allows users to interact with specific elements of a model. For instance, you can select individual entities such as edges, faces or components, and view detailed information about these elements. It also supports multiple selection methods including double-tapping and triple-tapping for selecting connected entities.
SketchUp Viewer also incorporates a very popular “Scenes” feature which allows you to view predefined camera positions and styles set up in the original SketchUp model. If you need to do a presentation, you will be able to quickly switch between different views or aspects of a model. Of course, it can also support animations.
Layer management is another important feature of SketchUp Viewer. Users can toggle the visibility of different layers within a model, providing flexibility in how the model is presented. This can be particularly useful for complex models where different elements need to be shown or hidden depending on the context.
SketchUp Viewer is a very popular tools because it’s available on a wide range of platforms. The desktop version is compatible with Windows OS. For mobile devices, SketchUp offers versions for both iOS and Android. What’s original is that SketchUp Viewer also supports virtual and augmented reality technologies: There’s a version available for Meta Quest devices (with Windows 10 or more recent) for instance.
The system requirements for SketchUp Viewer vary depending on the platform: For iOS devices, the viewer requires iOS 16.0 or later and it’s compatible with both iPhone and iPad (Apple tablets). The augmented reality features require an ARKit-enabled device which includes iPhone 6s or newer, 2017 iPad or newer, and any iPad Pro.
On the Android side, the free viewer requires Android 6.0 or later with at least 1024MB of RAM and OpenGL ES 3.0 support. For the best experience, Trimble recommends devices with Android 6.0.1 or later, 2048MB of RAM, and a display of at least 4.95 inches with 1080p resolution. The AR features on Android require version 7.0 or later and an ARCore-enabled device.
SketchUp Viewer for Desktop is available as a free download and allows you to view models on a desktop computer without needing a subscription. This free version is useful for clients or stakeholders who only need to view models occasionally. If you’re looking for more advanced features, you’ll have to choose one of the paid plans available. Of course, by offering SketchUp Viewer, Trimble encourages users to engage with the broader SketchUp platform and it will potentially drive new users towards higher-tier subscriptions.
