Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 30, 2012. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
In 2006, Google took over the development studio @Last Software, which created SketchUp, in order to make the technology usable for Google Earth. In April 2006, Google then offered a free version of the tool to the general public under the motto "3D modeling for everyone". Millions of users have used the software since then. With the sale, this team of experts will move to Trimble and continue developing SketchUp there. Trimble is a well-known Californian company that develops and markets GPS technologies(positioning systems, lasers, optics). Furthermore, Trimble said that it would continue to invest in SketchUp and that the software would benefit from Trimble’s know-how in fields such as engineering and architecture. One example is a laser system developed by Trimble that can capture buildings in three dimensions.
According to Trimble, the 3D Warehouse started by Google will continue to exist and will continue to be operated by Google for Trimble as before. Both companies want to expand it together. The estimated number of objects in the 3D Warehouse currently amounts to 2 million.
The sale price was kept quiet, and all that is known is that the sale is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2012.
Google’s statement on the sale is available here.
