Trimble Now Officially Owns Sketchup

If you go over to the Sketchup website, you'll notice it doesn't say "Google Sketchup" anymore. Instead, it says "Trimble Sketchup", which means it's official. Google doesn't run Sketchup anymore.

Trimble has updated their FAQ document effective June 1st, 2012, confirming that the purchase has been made. Most of it has remained the same, but there are a few notable changes made to the document when compared to the first FAQ document that was released April 26, 2012.

Why did Trimble acquire Sketchup?

 

Under this heading, the original FAQ states the following:

Sketchup and the 3D warehouse, together with other Trimble Tools from Accubid, Meridian, Plancal, QuickPen, Tekla, Trimble Business Center and the Trimble Connected Community 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.

If I paraphrase that statement, I get the following:

Sketchup......together with Trimble Tools..........will provide a stand-alone and enterprise solution. 

It goes on to say that "Users will be able to collect data, design, model, and collaborate on one platform." 

It sounds like Trimble plans on combining all of its existing design tools into one pillar software platform that will expand its users ability to collaborate with one another. It also sounds like they plan on using the Sketchup platform to enable Third-party developers to partner with them to develop entirely new applications.

In addition, the Sketchup platform will enable Trimble, third-party developers and our distribution partners to efficiently develop new applications. 

One notable change made to the new FAQ document is the addition of the Trimble owned company HHK to the list of existing Trimble tools.

Will Sketchup continue to be available as a free version?

When some people heard about Google selling Sketchup to Trimble, their biggest concern was whether Trimble would continue to offer Sketchup as a free program. It seems as though Trimble has heard those concerns, as they have addressed this question with a simple response in their latest FAQ.

Yes. Trimble intends to support the existing Sketchup community and to provide a free version for a multitude of markets. 

Other FAQ updates

 

The new FAQ also addresses their continuing support of educational licensing. They also announced that there will be several Sketchup sessions at the Trimble Dimensions conference in Las Vegas, November 5-7. More info about the conference can be found at www.trimbledimensions.com

What Does the Move to Trimble Mean for Google Sketchup?

The announcement on April 26th 2012 that Trimble is acquiring Sketchup from Google is exciting, and a bit confusing. What does this mean for the Sketchup community?

Well first off, who is Trimble?

In their own words: 

“Though best known for GPS technology, Trimble integrates a wide range of positioning technologies including GPS, laser, optical and inertial technologies with application software, wireless communications, and services to provide complete commercial solutions. Its integrated solutions allow customers to collect, manage and analyze complex information faster and easier, making them more productive, efficient and profitable.”(Trimble.com)

More simply put, Trimble makes both hardware and software that collect and organize data, generally related to things like mapping and measuring (satellites used for GPS, optics for highly accurate surveying equipment, etc) They create lasers that are capable of scanning an environment and recreating it digitally (sound like a good opportunity to integrate with something like Sketchup? Yeah... I think so too.)  They already create products that are used by architects, engineers, surveyors and contractors. Clearly their market overlaps quite a bit with some of Sketchup’s professional users. 

Are you a professional who already uses Trimble products? What do you think? Is Sketchup a good fit for Trimble, and are you looking forward to the results? 

What are they planning to do with Sketchup?

According to Trimble.com, their goal is to integrate Sketchup with their existing products to create a single platform where users can collect data, design, model, and collaborate. Sounds exciting right? And I imagine, expensive. Similar professional 3D modeling programs such as  ArchiCAD cost around $4,000 , and may not have the same features that Trimble can provide with their various technologies. 

So, is this the end of 3D modeling for all? Will Trimble be shifting Sketchup to a fancy paid version and leaving it’s more casual users in the cold? According to the Sketchup blog, there is no need to worry: 

“If you’re one of the many, many people who use SketchUp for something else—from education to woodworking, geo-modeling to movie-making—rest assured that there will be a SketchUp for you, too. Our mission has always been to make 3D modeling tools that anyone can use. The free version of SketchUp is an important part of our world as well, and that isn’t changing in the least.” (The Official Google Sketchup Blog)

It also appears that the development team from Google will be staying with Sketchup, keeping it in the same capable hands that developed it originally at @Last (the company it was originally purchased from by Google.) 

Do you see yourself jumping to a fancier paid version of Sketchup with some of the integration capabilities that Trimble can bring to the table?

Overall the future looks bright for Sketchup! One of the common complaints is that Sketchup really has not been improved much on the developer side, and most of the contributions have come from the community at large. With the move to Trimble, the development team will have access to new resources that will allow for expansion of it’s capabilities in exciting new ways. Sketchup is poised to grow, while remaining an enjoyable, accessible program for all kinds of 3D modeling! If you are new to Sketchup, and would like to learn more about how to use this powerful program then head over to www.mastersketchup.com for free video tutorials and quick tips! 

Terms of Service will change when Trimble takes over

Existing users of Sketchup will have to agree to new terms

When Trimble officially takes over Sketchup in the near future, you may want to take a look at their terms of service agreement. Google posted a notice on Thursday, May 3rd, announcing that the existing terms are not going to be identical to what Trimble is going to require from you in order to use Sketchup.

The notice states the following: On the Closing Date all rights and obligations of Google under the SketchUp and SketchUp Pro license terms will assign to Trimble. Users of SketchUp after the Closing Date will become Trimble users.

They also specifically state that the Google 3D warehouse will be transfered to Trimble as well, but they are under agreement that Google will continue to host the 3D warehouse on their servers. So you will continue to access the 3D warehouse by going to sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse

Key points to make note of:

• All license rights in geolocated models (e.g. 3D buildings viewable on Google Earth) submitted before the Closing Date will remain with Google. Google will provide Trimble with a license right to use these models in Trimble’s products (including continued use in SketchUp and in any future 3D model repository which Trimble may create).
• All license rights in non-geolocated models (e.g. 3D models of everyday objects not tied to a location) submitted before the Closing Date will be assigned to Trimble on the Closing Date. By continuing to store non-geolocated models in the 3D Warehouse after the Closing Date you consent to the assignment by Google of its rights and obligations to Trimble.
• License rights in all models submitted after the Closing Date will belong to Trimble. Trimble will provide a license right to these models to Google for their use in Google Earth and Google Maps, where relevant.

If you do not agree to the new terms, you can of course opt out. But this means you will agree not to use Sketchup, so you're sort of in a tight spot. The official Trimble terms of use regarding Sketchup have not been published yet, but you can view their privacy policy here.

Sketchup isn't the only company Trimble has acquired

Trimble isn't new to purchasing companies. In fact, I have found 9 companies that Trimble has acquired within the last decade. If we look at how they have invested into companies they have absorbed over the years, perhaps we can predict similar results with the latest news of them purchasing Sketchup from Google.

Companies recently purchased by Trimble

• Meridian Systems : Acquired in 2006 -

  Meridian Systems is a software company that is most notable for it's Prolog construction management program. It has become the AEC industry standard for companies with more than $101 million in revenue. Prolog helps manage construction projects from the design phase, all the way to close out. Official Trimble news release
  
  
• 

  PeopleNet : Acquired in 2011 -

  PeopleNet specializes in providing solutions for fleet management. They have developed systems that allow trucking companies to more effectively communicate and coordinate their drivers, helping them save fuel and time.  Official Trimble news release
  

• Tekla : Acquired in 2011 - 

  Tekla is a BIM (Building Information Modeling) software company. BIM is 3D modeling that goes beyond just representing the physical characteristics of a building. BIM models can have attributes assigned to the different parts of the model allowing the designers to assess the cost, and characteristics of the building. It is a "smart model" so to speak. It is a powerful tool that has been gaining momentum with the ever increasing processing power of computers.
  
  There is debate whether Sketchup could be considered a BIM tool.
  
  I wonder how Trimble will apply resources from Tekla into the development of Sketchup? Tekla has a free BIM collaboration program called Tekla BIMSight, which can be used in conjunction with Trimble's construction tablet computer. Official Trimble news release

• Ashtech : Acquired in 2011 -

  Ashtech creates hardware and software solutions for engineers and surveyors in the construction industry. Ashtech's technology aligns with Trimble's existing Spectra product line, and is the creator of BLADE technology and the MobileMapper® series of products. Official Trimble news release 

• StruCAD :  Acquired in 2012 -

  StruCAD is a 3D modeling program for designing structural steel components for steel detailers and fabricators. Trimble purchased StruCAD and StruEngineer from AceCAD to expand on their Tekla software products. Official Trimble news release
• 

  Quickpen : Acquired in 2009 - 

  Quickpen is a software company that specializes in solutions for mechanical and sheetmetal contractors. They offer a variety of products from estimating software to 3D CAD software for ductwork. Official Trimble news release
  

• Gatewing : Acquired in April, 2012 -

  Gatewing is the producer of the X100 UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) used for aerial image acquisition for mapping applications. That's right. They make an airplane that can fly itself over an area in order to take high resolution pictures and data for creating maps. Official Trimble news release
  

  Check out this interview with Trimble prior to their purchase of Sketchup

• Applanix : Acquired in 2003 -

  Applanix is the creator of mobile mapping products and solutions. The company's "Position and Orientation Systems" (POS ™) is now the industry standard for airborne, land, and marine survey applications. Official Trimble news release

• MyTopo :Acquired in 2011 -

  Mytopo was a leading provider of print and digital maps for the outdoor enthusiast. When Trimble purchased them, they were able to expand their existing Trimble Outdoors platform which provides excellent trail maps and topographical maps. Official Trimble news release 

No stranger to 3D modeling 

As you can see, Trimble is no stranger to 3D modeling.This is great news for fans of Sketchup. With concerns over what Trimble has planned, it seems evident that they are looking to expand on an existing market they already have plenty of experience in. Their extensive knowledge in the construction industry will certainly add value to any investment they make into the further development of Sketchup.

I think from this list it's safe to say Sketchup is in good hands, for sure.

Trimble to open office in Bolder, CO

Scott Green, the Google Boulder's site director, told dailycamera that Trimble plans to open an office in Boulder, Colorado. This makes sense, since the current Sketchup employees work in Boulder, CO, and Trimble is trying to recruit many of the personnel on the Sketchup team.

Green confirmed that the "vast majority" of the Sketchup team accepted offers from Trimble. This is great news to hear, as much of the Sketchup community has been worried about who would be running the show. To know that many of the people who have helped Sketchup grow to what is is today will continue to make it even better, puts a lot of minds at ease.

Comments from the Sketchup team

On the announcement page on the Official Sketchup Blog, there have been a few comments made by members of the Sketchup team, giving us some reassurance of this move to Trimble. Mark Harrison, the Community Manager for Google Earth and Google Sketchup, told us that the Sketchup team will pretty much stay in tact. He reported this on the morning of the announcement.

John Bacus, the Product Manager for Google Sketchup, added comments about the transition to Trimble, attesting to their commitment to providing a free 3D modeling tool that's easy for anyone to use.

 

 

It has been officially announced today on the Sketchup Blog, Google has decided to sell Sketchup to Trimble, a technology company specializing in GPS technology.

What does this mean for Sketchup?

Sketchup has been free for many years, which has contributed to it's reputation as one of the most well known 3D modeling programs in the world. With the new that Google has sold it to Trimble for an undisclosed amount of money, a big question is whether or not Sketchup will remain free to its users.

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

According to the press release from Trimble, they will continue to work with Google to support the 3D warehouse, and allow submissions to Google Earth. In fact, they plan on keeping the main Sketchup website at http://sketchup.google.com for the foreseeable future.

It is said that much of the personnel on the Sketchup team will continue to work on the program. Whether they will remain Google employees or become Trimble employees is unknown.


What does this mean for the future of Sketchup?

Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?

Leave a comment below and voice your opinion.