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