Software
SketchUp for iPad Trimble’s popular conceptual design tool gets an impressive port to the Apple iPad, plus potential to dramatically change the way AEC firms bring site data into the design process, writes Greg Corke
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ketchUp has legendary status in the AEC sector. You’ll find it on the desktop of most architects, especially those that don’t feel the need for BIM authoring tools like Revit and Archicad, or want to learn how to use them. With its simple push / pull approach to modelling you can knock up a simple design in minutes. And without the parametric constraints of BIM, it’s ideal for the conceptual phase where the design is still fluid. SketchUp has gone through many owners over the years. Launched in 2000 by @Last Software, it was acquired by Google in 2006, then sold to Trimble in 2012. For many years, the beauty of SketchUp was that the capable base product was free. While a free version still exists today, it runs in a browser, and has limited interoperability with CAD / BIM software. For professional use, and access to the desktop app on Windows or Mac OSX, you’ll need a ‘Pro’ subscription. Last month, Trimble introduced a brand-new version written specifically for the Apple iPad. Unlike many AECfocused iPad apps that have previously made the move from desktop to Apple iOS, SketchUp for iPad features nearly all the functionality of its Windows and Mac OSX counterparts, but through a brandnew user interface that has been optimised for touch and the Apple Pencil. The software is included in several different levels of SketchUp subscription. In SketchUp Pro (£235 per year) you can work across iPad, desktop or browser with full compatibility between the different versions. SketchUp Studio (£549 per year) adds support for point clouds and rendering with V-Ray. We tested out the software using the 5th Generation iPad Pro, together with the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side of the iPad. Here it charges incredibly fast 15 seconds of charge will give you around 22
May / June 2022
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The SketchUp for 30 minutes of use. 30 minutes can be done by eye, by punching iPad interface will charge it fully and it will last in dimensions, or double tapping is minimal and for around 12 hours. to pull it the same distance as the clutter free Despite officially being one before. For a really quick conclassed as a tablet, the iPad Pro is an cept design, length snapping allows you to extremely impressive piece of hardware. model at 0.1m or 1m increments. Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, it’s fast and Of course, interaction through the responsive and the Liquid Retina XDR Apple Pencil is completely different to display a thing of beauty. It also has keyboard and mouse. While using an plenty of storage, up to 2 TB, incredible iPhone is second nature to many, if you’re front and rear facing cameras and a new to iPad (and Pencil, in particular) it LiDAR sensor built in. The top end mod- takes some getting used to. els, however, will set you back close to The other thing to note is users don’t get £2,000. direct access to the wealth of third-party SketchUp for iPad will run on any iPad add-ons that are available for the desktop with iOS 15, although Trimble recom- versions, particularly on Windows. mends the most powerful M1 models. Even though the software was developed Getting started for the 2nd Generation Pencil, it will still On startup you’re presented with a home work with the 1st Generation Pencil. screen where you can see all your recent The SketchUp for iPad workflow is very models, including a preview. These can be similar to the desktop version - simply stored locally on the iPad, or in the cloud. sketch out 2D geometry, then push and Trimble has put a lot of effort into conpull it into place to create 3D objects. This necting SketchUp for iPad to Trimble
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24/05/2022 16:44
