| Google today released the first Mac version of the free version of SketchUp 5.026 along with the latest version of Google Earth, the free desktop mapping solution. The easy-to-learn 3D modeling program enables users to explore the world in 3D. "With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships." Google SketchUp, currently in beta, is free for personal use, while the SketchUp Pro, approved for commercial use, adds advanced features such as print/draw images at higher-than-screen resolution, expot to 3D export formats (e.g., DWG, DXF, 3DS, OBJ, XSI, VRML and FBX), export animations and walkthroughs as MOV (Mac) or AVI (Windows) files, and use either the Sandbox Tools (for organic modeling of terrain, etc) and the Film & Stage Tools. The $500 Pro version also includes free email tech support for two years from purchase. The free software is not yet available as a Universal Binary, but requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later (and a 100% OpenGL-complaint video card). The free Google Earth R4 beta for Mac OS X, a Universal Binary, offers imagery of the entire planet as well as other geographic information, such as points of interest (local restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more). It adds a streamlined interface, textured buildings in 3D view, improved satellite imagery, KML file support, and more.
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