Top 8 Sketchup Alternative Software in 2022 For Your Design

Top 8 Sketchup Alternative Software in 2022 For Your Design – Sketchup is a 3D CAD program widely used for architecture, interior design, furniture, and landscape design. Available for the past 20 years, Sketchup has always featured intuitive design tools and a simple workflow that allows users to quickly control the program. This simplicity is complemented by 3D Storage, an extensive library of 3D models that users can navigate through to create preset objects and quickly create scenes.

While SketchUp is primarily used for architectural rendering, it can also create robots, sculptures, and objects that can be 3D printed. The biggest reason for its popularity is thought to be SketchUp’s 3D storage. Their extensive model library ranges from screws and furniture to entire buildings and can be easily imported into any project. In addition, it will save you time and nerves.

There are two main versions of SketchUp available: free and paid. The free version is completely web-based and works in almost any browser. Paid versions of the Store (web and personal, $119/year) and Pro (desktop and web, professional, $299/year) run on Windows or Mac with advanced features and tools. Of course, educational and student discounts are also available.

Top 8 Sketchup Alternative Software

Unique features of SketchUp

There are literally dozens of 3D modeling software tools. To find a suitable alternative to SketchUp, we need to know what makes SketchUp different from others. While we know that 3D models are one of SketchUp’s most valuable features, we’ve also covered other major aspects:

• Convenient, with an intuitive interface, tools and functions
• Built-in rendering capabilities
• Plugins that provide additional features and functionality
• Cost, free, and paid versions available

Top 8 Best Alternative Sketchup Software

If you’re wondering whether you should dive into this program or choose another, there are Sketchup alternatives you can consider as well. Depending on what you want to achieve, different CAD and 3D programs provide the same functionality and can help you achieve the same results. So let’s start with 8, which can be an alternative to Sketchup.

1.Sketchup Alternative: AutoCAD

AutoCAD is computer-aided design (CAD) software that architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely on to create accurate 2D and 3D drawings. You can edit and create drawings in AutoCAD on almost any device.

Advantages of AutoCAD:

• Create, edit and view images on virtually any device
• Helps you access DWG files in AutoCAD using the Autodesk cloud.
• Reduces eye strain by improving contrast
• Allows you to show all nearby measurements here in the image
• Create, edit and view CAD drawings
• Delete multiple objects with a simple selection and object preview.

source: https://www.autodesk.in/products/autocad/features

2. Sketchup Alternative: 3Ds Max

3DS Max is a powerful 3D modeling and animation software. They can work with game developers, visual effects artists, and graphic designers to create high-quality scenes and enjoyable virtual reality experiences.

Benefits of 3DS Max:

• This tool allows you to create and render compelling scenes with Arnold’s built-in renderer.
• You can scale your workflow with automated processes.
• You can use vertex, edge, and face information to modify the model.
• Efficiently create organic and parametric objects with polygon surface subdivisions.
• Creates complex particle effects such as water, splash, snow, and fire.

Source: https://www.autodesk.in/products/3ds-max/features

3. Alternative Sketchup: Pcon Planner

Pcon Planner is a Sketchup replacement that lets you create amazing images. They also give your clients a complete overview of your plan.

Benefits of Pcon Planner:

• Add CAD models in different formats (DWG, SKP, 3DS, etc.)
• Help you be creative
• Allows you to create stunning images
• Give your customers a comprehensive overview of your plan
• Great design deserves attention from all points of view
• Direct access to an extensive material catalog via pCon.planner
• Allows you to create high-quality 3D graphics

Source : Link: https://pcon-planner.com/en/3d-room-planner/

4. Alternative Sketchup: Solidworks

SolidWorks is a computer-based design tool or software that runs on Microsoft Windows. The tool allows you to apply already existing attributes and parameters of an object to another object.

Advantages of Solidworks:

• This tool allows you to compare the geometry of two projects using Compare Geometry, View Sync, or Face Sync.
• You can compare properties between two SolidWorks documents.
• This tool provides support for selecting rotations, surfaces, sides, and features based on geometric criteria.
• It allows you to search, manipulate and change features in a model based on its parameters.
• Solidworks offers analytics tools to find thin and thick areas in sections of a document.
• It allows you to optimize parts, document your assembly, and automatically create simple configurations.

Source: https://www.solidworks.com

6. Alternative Sketchup: The Art of Illusion

Art of Illusion is an open source 3D modeling program with built-in image rendering tools. It was first released in 1999 and became very popular among the RepRap community. It is a good choice for beginner 3D models due to its intuitive user interface and fast learning curve.

While Art of Illusion uses face modeling tools that are simple and easy to use, the basic package includes more advanced features such as texture and animation tools. They are also good for 3D rendering and have a surprising amount of lighting options.

The program is compatible with a large number of scripts and plugins, all of which are available through the “Plugin Manager”. If you are exporting STL files for 3D printing, be sure to install the appropriate plug-in, such as “STLTranslator”.

Features of the art of illusion

• Best for: Beginner 3D Modelers
• Modeling Techniques: Sculpture and primitive modeling.
• Best features: User-friendliness, built-in rendering capabilities, and plugins.
• Cost: free
• Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux

Source: http://www.artofillusion.org/index

7. Alternative Sketchup: BricsCAD

BricsCAD is a modern alternative to CAD. This will help you focus on creating cheap CAD tools. This is a very suitable device, available as a permanent license that you can use once and for all.

Benefits of BricCAD:

• Allows you to optimize your 2D images and 3D models.
• View and change the distance between two objects without running a command
• Collaborate with colleagues in BricsCAD sessions.

Source: https://www.bricsys.com/en-eu/bricscad/

8. Alternative Sketchup: nanoCAD

NanoCAD is an easy-to-use CAD application that provides a user-friendly experience with high performance, classic and original interface. This engineering design tool is designed to provide design and engineering documentation for all industries.

Advantages of nanoCAD:

• nanoCAD implements a classic style CAD user interface that is efficient and easy to learn.
• It uses the original industry standard DWG (*.dwg) file format.
• It includes an extensive set of tools for creating and editing 2D/3D objects.
• The nanoCAD scripting engine helps automate daily routine tasks.
• The tool also offers a chart settings dialog that allows you to set multiple chart areas and create multi-page charts.

Source: https://nanocad.com

As you can see, the Sketchup alternative that best suits your needs depends on how you build your 3D design. Each program we raise has its own approach and design tools. So when choosing among them, everything depends on the level of complexity that you expect, as well as the nature of the project that you need to implement.

Please note that regardless of your final choice, one of these SketchUp alternatives may work well for 3D printing applications.

We hope that with all the information we can provide, it will be useful for you to learn about the Top 8 Sketchup Alternative Software in 2022 For Your Design above.