Jared’s Note: 64-bit and improved IFC (more on both here) are a BIG FUCKING DEAL. SketchUp maxing out at 4 gigs of RAM due to it’s 32-bit nature was (in my opinion) one of the few remaining examples of it being a second class BIM program. Models get big. Programs get slow. The other major BIM players have been (more or less) 64-bit for sometime. It seemed odd that SketchUp still wasn’t. Well that barrier is gone. The details remain to be seen, but the fact that it can harness all the RAM on a machine is a clear sign that SketchUp is being ramped up to handle some amazing complexity.

So now that SketchUp is in the 64-bit league, and continues to improve it’s IFC capabilities, the big remaining question is internal collaboration. Will 2016 see some form of work sharing? If it does, hot damn and holy fuck.

The speed of improvements and continued evolution of SketchUp since being acquired by Trimble continue to impress me. With each new release, I get more optimistic about the health of the AEC software space in general. I hope Graphisoft, Nemetschek, Autodesk, et al. are watching, learning, and working hard to progress just as fast.

BTW, if you missed my thoughts on SketchUp 2014 and the new world of BIM, read that here before or after digesting the press release below.

New Version Enhances Platform, Adding Speed, Collaboration and Interoperability Capabilities for Better 3D Modeling Results

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 4, 2014-Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today released SketchUp 2015, the latest version of the world’s most widely used 3D modeling software for architects, engineers, design and construction professionals, as well as members of the global maker community. This release marks Trimble’s second update to the SketchUp software this year and underscores the company’s continued focus on enhancing the platform to make SketchUp faster, more user-friendly and reliable for the thousands of professionals who use it every day.

The announcement was made at Trimble Dimensions.

With a SketchUp user community expanding by more 30 million unique activations in the past year, enhancements to SketchUp 2015 have been designed to deepen and enrich the user experience, while keeping it intuitive. New features make it easier and faster to create, access, share and collaborate on 2D drawings and 3D models. SketchUp 2015 offers 64-bit support for Windows or Mac, while IFC file import capabilities allows back-and-forth sharing of IFC files between SketchUp Pro and any other application.

“For the second release of SketchUp this year, we set out to make enhancements to the platform that might seem simple, but go a long way toward making SketchUp more enjoyable and impactful for our user community,” said John Bacus, director of SketchUp product management at Trimble. “For example, as interoperability continues to be the cornerstone of collaboration among architecture, engineering and construction professionals, the IFC file import is an important addition because it opens up the options for professionals to participate in the information modeling process, sharing files with ease, regardless of the software program.”

Fast, Flexible and Powerful

• 64-bit Support:  In addition to continued support for 32-bit systems, SketchUp Pro 2015 is available in a 64-bit version for Windows and Mac. Trimble also now offers cross-platform support for all licenses, along with cloud-based license management and checkout capabilities for network licenses.
• IFC Import:  In addition to export, SketchUp Pro users can now share models between Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and apply industry standard types that stay with the model as it travels with SketchUp 2015’s new IFC file import.

• Ruby API and Extension Warehouse Enhancements:  A variety of improvements to SketchUp’s Ruby API (application programming interface) and to the Extension Warehouse of SketchUp plug-ins and add-ons makes it easier than ever for developers to build and share great new tools. Developers can now access and modify information modeling classifications via the Ruby API.
• Faster Core:  Models render faster with core modeling performance improvements including faster explode, intersect and Fast Styles.

More Easy-to-Use Tools

• Professional Drafting:  Using SketchUp’s LayOut 2D drawing and documentation tool, users can manage drawings more easily and display more data from their information models, applying object classifications in SketchUp and easily accessing that info in LayOut using an enhanced annotation tool.

• Modeling Tools:  With the addition of a 3-point Arc tool, users can now draw arced edges four different ways. A new Rotated Rectangle tool allows for drawing precise rectangles unbound by default axes.

• Expanded 3D Warehouse:  New models of popular brand-name building products are added to 3D Warehouse every day, greatly expanding SketchUp’s free content offering. With over 2.5 million models, 3D Warehouse offers SketchUp users a vast array of free models to choose from. A new “Likes” feature lets users tell the world when they?ve found a great model.

Collaborate Across Trimble Products

SketchUp 2015 also facilitates collaboration with data and files from other Trimble® products.

• As a “Trimble Connected” product, SketchUp Pro 2015 leverages the new Trimble Connect collaboration environment for design, engineering and construction projects. Based on recently acquired Gehry Technologies’ GTeam™ software, Trimble Connect enables teams to access and manage project data via a cloud platform. A Trimble Connect extension is available in the Extension Warehouse.

• SketchUp Pro 2015 also supports 3D CAD and BIM services for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contractors through the new Trimble MEPdesigner for SketchUp platform, which enables contractors to quickly and easily migrate from a 2D to 3D work environment.

• Calibrated panoramic photos can be loaded directly into SketchUp 2015 from the Trimble V10 Imaging Rover, to quickly model as-built conditions.

Try, Buy and Use SketchUp

SketchUp 2015 is available now. Every SketchUp 2015 download starts with a 30-day trial of Pro features. Even better, 2015 Pro licenses can be used on a Mac or a PC. Additional details and downloads are available at: www.sketchup.com. Information on new platform licensing options can be found at: http://www.sketchup.com/buy/sketchup-pro.

SketchUp in Building Design, Construction and Operation 

SketchUp is a core product of Trimble Buildings, a part of Trimble’s Engineering and Construction segment that delivers solutions to optimize the complete Design-Build-Operate (DBO) lifecycle of buildings. Trimble’s product and professional service offering-spanning top brands such as SketchUp, Tekla, Gehry Technologies, Proliance, Vico Office, WinEst, Accubid, Manhattan Software, and more-improve productivity, visibility and data interoperability, 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.com.

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.  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.