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Google has released Google Sketchup, the first Google version of the 3D modeling software they acquired recently, and it is absolutely free.

The 19.2 megabyte download is for Windows 2000+ systems with a minimum of a 600 MHz processor, 128 megs of RAM, and an OpenGL compliant video card. This is graphics intensive software, however, so more power would be a VERY good idea. A Macintosh version is forthcoming.

The free version lets you create 3D models of "houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships", detailing and texturing as necessary. All your work can be placed in Google Earth and shared, as well as posted to Google's 3D Warehouse. You can also grab anything from the Warehouse and edit it, giving you a great base to start from.

Clicking this link loads the 3D Warehouse directory into Google Earth. With it, any object in the Warehouse will exist as a placemark in Google Earth. Click the placemark and you view a preview of the object and get the option to download it to Google Earth or to SketchUp for editing. There are objects, and object collections, and zooming into the collections reveals all the contained objects. Be aware, the more complex objects you load, the higher the stress on your system.

The Rose Bowl, in particular, is really cool. The Golden Gate Bridge is stunning.

The 3D Warehouse set only shows you what is contained in the current view, so zoom out to find more.

SketchUp Pro 5 is $495.

Verdict: Without even loading up the SketchUp software, I'm already pleased. Google Earth just got that much better. There is likely going to be a wealth of 3D models to insert into your world, letting you turn Earth into a more colorful, more alive product. If SketchUp proves easy enough for me to use, this could usher in a new age of 3D modeling, and it will likely do that anyway if it isn't, since it is free software. Great work, guys.

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Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.

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