We all know (didn’t you?) that Google had quietly bought Sketchup just over month ago. What we didn’t know was how soon they would come up with a free version of the $500 software.

Answer: They released it today without any fanfare or announcement - at least that I have seen! What’s more, they’ve come up with this thing called 3D warehouse which is a place you can share your creations with the rest of the world. Get ready for a lot of junk, of course as everyone and his uncle decides to get altruistic. Still, there’s bound to be two grains of wheat in two bushels of chaff and since it uses tags and there’s a search engine built-in, I guess, we won’t find it that tough.

http://sketchup.google.com/
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:: Full Announcement ::

• 2007.02.16 : Sketchup plugin for AC 10
• 2008.02.16 : Free Beta of SpecifiCAD
• 2006.09.11 : Site Overhaul
• 2007.12.02 : Two Ways to Treat Urban Sewage
• 2006.06.15 : Separating Toilets
• 2007.11.18 : Marvin Doors and Windows