Trimble Launches SketchUp Mobile Viewer for iPad at Basecamp 2014
Jared’s Note: Â See what I was saying? SketchUp + Trimble is a force to be reckoned with in the BIM world. This press release fits a bit too well with my recent posts: SketchUp is BIM and BIMx Pricing Complexity.
For Graphisoft and ArchiCAD Users, see what Trimble is doing? A $9.99 app with no in-app purchases or complex pricing options. Simple and straightforward. BIMx Docs might be a better app (I don’t know, I haven’t used the new SketchUp App), but pricing confusion is hobbling it. Let’s solve that ASAP.
For Autodesk and Revit Users, Trimble, Graphisoft, and Nemetschek now have their mobile apps for viewing and sharing models, where’s your equivalent? UPDATE: On further inspection the Autodesk 360 Mobile app seems to be in the same class of Apps, though what’s the deal with not storing the data locally? That must limit usefulness on the job site. Regardless, you once claimed superiority based on market penetration and ubiquity…that era is over. Rise to the challenge. Do it.
For everyone, it might be time to test exporting to SketchUp and seeing how our models look in this viewer. Anyone want to write a guest post on that? UPDATE: anyone want to do a guest post comparing all four of these similar Apps-BIMx Docs, Autodesk 360 Mobile App, bim+, and SketchUp Mobile Viewer? I would love to see a pretty chart comparing things like cost, hardware requirements, model size, data available, 2D + 3D availability, sharing, markup capabilities, navigation ease, special features, etc. etc. That would be a great thing to read.
Clearly 2014 is the start of a whole new world of BIM. I can’t wait until ArchiCAD 18 comes out and we have a more complete picture of the amazing changes that are upon us.
SketchUp Users Gain the Ability to Access Content and Models in 3D Warehouse Anywhere, Anytime.
VAIL, Colo., April 15, 2014-Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today announced the availability of the SketchUp Mobile Viewer for iPad, a new app providing design and construction professionals with convenient, on-the-go access to SketchUp models.
Available in the iTunes App Store, the app allows iPad users to store and access their own 3D models, as well as explore and download models from the entire universe of SketchUp files available in the 3D Warehouse. Users also can orbit, pan and zoom around 3D models using multi-touch gestures, and present their own private 3D models to clients and partners.
The app was launched during the SketchUp 2014 3D Basecamp 2014 conference in Vail, Colo., where over 300 power users and enthusiasts from across the globe are gathered to collaborate and learn through various training sessions, presentations and workshops.
The announcement follows Trimble’s recent release of SketchUp 2014, which featured major enhancements to 3D Warehouse, as well as new tools for classifying model components and tighter interoperability with other products in Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows. The SketchUp Mobile Viewer is the first-ever SketchUp tablet product; Trimble plans to add support for Android tablets in an upcoming release.
The SketchUp Mobile Viewer is available now for $9.99 exclusively through the Apple App Store. The app is compatible with iPad 3 or iPad Mini 2 and newer Apple tablets, and with iOS 6 and newer Apple operating systems.
SketchUp for Construction
SketchUp is a popular 3D modeling platform used around the world and is key technology within Trimble Buildings, a group within Trimble‘s Engineering and Construction segment offering solutions for construction project optimization across the design-build-operate (DBO) lifecycle. With solutions that span the brands of Meridian Systems, Plancal, SketchUp, Tekla, Trade Service, Vico Software, and WinEst, Trimble helps the construction industry improve productivity, increase efficiencies and maximize the profitability of projects, from simulation to renovation. Used in over 150 countries around the world and supported by a global dealer and distribution partner network, Trimble technology is a mainstay of the building industry. Information on Trimble Buildings’ DBO portfolio is available at: http://buildings.trimble.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring positioning or location, including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Â Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user in the field and to ensure communication between the field and the office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif. Â For more information, visit:Â www.trimble.com.
Antonio Tort
Wow! More competition always means more advance. Things are getting hot!
Mat Garcig
At this moment (with the info i have) I would say it’s “only” a model viewer, which compares to the FREE BIMx viewer (can you measure inside the sketch up viewer, when you select an element it tells you its properties? Can you cut the model to explore in section…Thats what the free BIMx does. Why would you want to export your models to sketch up and pay to view them if anyone can do it for free with graphisoft’s app. I think trimble will further develop this tool and could be a good competitor.
There was already a sketch up viewer for ipad, only not official, Viso3d.
Jared Banks
Good points Mat. I’ll be curious to find out if this viewer is closer to the free BIMx or the paid BIMx Docs. As to why to export? Mostly academy curiosity. And as groundwork for future dreaming.
Elrond Burrell
Autodesk 360 allows for mobile / tablet viewing and sharing of models, no? And has done for some time already.
Jared Banks
Elrond, of course! Spaced on that! Does it handle Revit files well? I will update the article above.
Wojciech Grencer
I have also noticed that Trimble attacks on another front. Tekla Bimsight became a free application. It is an IFC based model viewer, allows for clash detection. It is a direct shot at Solibri and Navisworks. Program can be used on Windows based laptop, possibly also on Windows 8 portable devices. Tekla is pressured by its users to release Android and iOS versions.
Pingback: Trimble Launches SketchUp Mobile Viewer for iPad at Basecamp ... - Monitor Urbano | Monitor Urbano
Shawn Foster (@kcflatlander)
Have to throw my Bentley Navigator Mobile into the fray…Which can pull Revit, SketchUp, IFC, in as well as bunch of other formats…and it’s free. fwiw, they had native SketchUp Referencing and Google 3d warehouse built in for almost a decade
Jared Banks
I was unaware that Bentley had a mobile app. that’s great that it’s free. I’ll have to check it out. I think the biggest thing I’m learning from this post is that there are way more apps and mobile solutions than I thought.
Paul O'Brien
Yup, and you’re the only one pulling that information into one place. Genius.
Jared Banks
Thanks. I feel like I should do a follow up post that puts all this info in the main text rather than the comments.
Paul O'Brien
Sadly, it’s not available for the Android platform.