Just in time for today’s beginning of Google’s Basecamp user meeting (an “unconference” in their words), Google released the eighth iteration of SketchUp, their hugely popular 3D modeling application.

This version comes with a few enhancements to satisfy both user bases: Geo-modelers (who create buildings and objects for Google Earth) and planners/designers (who model all kinds of objects in 3D). Here is a brief list of new features:

• The following features integrate already existing Google data and services closer into SketchUp. This will aid nicely in creating and refining geo-located buildings.
  • Model geo-location with Google Maps
  • Color imagery and more accurate terrain
  • Match Photo improvements
  • Building Maker
• Solid Tools – Although it should be noted that SketchUp does not include “solids” in a classic CAD sense now (it is still “only” a surface modeler), this set of tools adds a variety of boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect etc.) to the SketchUp toolset. The only downside: while this is an exciting addition, it is only available for Pro users.
  
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