"Interface"

Over years, @ Last Software's SketchUp 3D modelling software managed to win itself a small fan base, particularly among architects, for its valiant attempt to make 3D modelling as simple as 2D drawing.

The program's fortunes changed radically when it added a plug-in to enable its models to be integrated directly into Google Earth. Google took notice, bought the company, added new Internet-based model searching and sharing capabilities and opened up the renamed, and now completely free, Google SketchUp to a whole new market.

Recently, in its first major update under Google, the SketchUp interface has been reworked to make it more accessible to its new wider audience. SketchUp's core drawing capabilities have also been made easier to use with new modifier keys. More advanced drawing power comes through enhancements to its intersection capabilities.

There's also a Paste-in-Place command, which makes it simple to move selections in and out of geometry as desired. SketchUp's text capabilities have also been overhauled. There's a new 3D Text tool that lets you set a font, size and extrusion depth, and creates actual geometry you can place into your scene. The most impressive new addition is the Photo Match capability.

This is accessed from a new floating palette from which you load your images. Based on the photo, you can quickly mark up horizontal and vertical lines, for example, based on a building's windows, and then set a central origin, such as the point where two walls meet.

Using this information, SketchUp works out the camera position, field of view and perspective accordingly, meaning you can quickly build up your model's geometry using the image - ideally multiple images handled as scenes - as your guide. Best of all, once you've finished your geometry, you can simply project your photos onto it to create an immediately recognisable textured model. You're then ready to integrate your finished models with Google Earth and to post them to Google's 3D Warehouse if you want to share them. SketchUp isn't intended for producing photorealistic renderings, so there's no advanced control over materials or lighting, although you can quickly apply bitmap textures and set up accurate location- and time-based shadows, as well as add fog to create a sense of depth. In this latest release, the options on offer for producing more artistic renderings have been extended to include "sketchy effects," which make lines look looser and hand-drawn, and watermarks that can be used to brand images or give them a textured surface such as canvas.

There's also a central Styles palette in which you can choose from a set of preset rendering effects, customise them and create your own house style. Starting with its ability to "sketch up" 3D models and ending with its apparently hand-drawn output, Google SketchUp would be an extraordinary program at any price. If you've ever thought about getting involved with 3D, here's the perfect entry route: surprisingly simple and powerful, and completely free.