Google SketchUp 7.1.6860

Rated 30/50 by haf canadian at Jan 26, 2011

Potentially useful. Fun. Lots of features. Difficult to learn some features critical to drawing 3 dimensions. At first I found SketchUp interesting and fun. But then I had trouble getting lines to disappear that were supposed to be hidden. To this day, after a couple of years having the program, I still can't figure out how to erase certain critical lines that shouldn't be visible. Turns out that this software is not for casual homeowner use. I was trying to graph out a simple stand-alone sign consisting of a plaque and a base - 2 pieces of wood. I wanted to design it with the software and get it to look dimensionally the way I envisioned the final product, then build it using the graphic as my guide. Basically I can do that, but the design process got more complex with each new line I drew, and the graphic has lines showing that shouldn't be visible. A simple curve across the top of the sign turned out to be harder to accomplish than I thought, and was time-consuming. The Help part of the software was not always user-friendly to someone not familiar with graphic design software. Basically, if you are new to this type of thing, prepare to devote a great deal of time to learning how to use the myriad of features. After hours of toying with it and getting frustrated, I had to set it aside and settle for what I had, however imperfect. I just don't have the kind of time it takes to figure out some of the features that one has to absolutely know. As I recall, the Help section is online?, and was clumsy to access. And I had trouble trying to decide which feature in Help defined the specific problem I was encountering, as some of the terminology is unambiguous only to a professional.

Rated 40/50 by edward woodward at Jan 27, 2011

easy to understand and use need to get used to tools and what each does

Rated 40/50 by 1duane1 at Feb 6, 2011

the 3d drawing and the compatibility with google earth is a nice touch should have some simpler things that young people would enjoy to get them interested

Rated 40/50 by Talk2meYou at Feb 9, 2011

Easy to use. Click on a tool and an animated help window shows you step by step how to use the tool. User friendly, FREE, 3D.... I have not used it enough to find any. Within two hours I made a 3D cabinet to size and in detail. Download it, and if you don't like it you will know within 20 minutes.

Rated 50/50 by Jeromemriley at Feb 15, 2011

For a free program, this is really the best. Lots of nice options. How can you argue free. I like the ease of use. This is all that I am accustomed to using, but it works great.

Rated 50/50 by Joneszee at Feb 17, 2011

Mainly the ease of use and the instructional videos. As a new user, I haven't seen any cons. It will take some time before commenting in this area. Very powerfull for a free tool. thanks

Rated 40/50 by starrym at Feb 21, 2011

Great for making 3D drawings. Hard to learn, because it does so much.

Rated 40/50 by tmeadors at Feb 28, 2011

Great tutorials and good instructor window Took a little work to figure out how to build models to scale with actual dimensions

Rated 50/50 by pranheim at Mar 5, 2011

Ease of use, excellent tools, great tutorials A bit of a learning curve to be precise but worth the time spent Hard to believe such a great product is freeware

Rated 20/50 by Viking Man at Mar 10, 2011

Free, powerful, fast Fiddly to use and hard to understand I couldn't get my head around this application after giving it a good go and watching the tutorials. Particular issues were that in designing a room, you design the outers walls and ceiling but then it's hard to work inside the room because you can have only one section plane allowing you to see inside one wall only. The rotate protractor is hard to position and use

Rated 40/50 by Michael Hopley at Apr 19, 2011

Ease of use...3D superb.. Cannot think of any Wonderful and free!!!