SketchUp is one of the oldest 3D modeling software, released in August 2000. For more than 19 years, it is available for various purposes like architectural designs, interior designs, civil and mechanical works, and even in the video gaming design. It is a versatile tool and available as a freemium platform. But, if you want to broaden your view in designing, you have to learn and master more than one tool or you may need an alternative app for SketchUp. Below is the list of best SketchUp Alternatives that you can use for your designing requirements.
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Best SketchUp Alternatives
Here are the best SketchUp alternatives which you can use:
- AutoCAD
- Sweet Home 3D
- Shapr3D
- Blender
- LibreCAD
- Adobe Dimension
- SOLIDWORKS
- Modo
- LDraw
- Cinema 4D
Techowns Tip: Best Home Design Software for Mac
AutoCAD
AutoCAD by Autodesk is a popular designing tool used by many professionals.
The tool is the perfect platform for professionals like Architects, Engineers, Designers. With AutoCAD, you will get the industry-standard features and tools to work with. AutoCAD is a powerful application and needs some high-end specifications like 10MB per second internet connection, 16GB of free memory, and more. On the website, you can find a lot of tutorial videos
and design courses. If you are a beginner, you can use those videos and courses.
The subscription starts at $210 per month.
Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is the perfect interior design application.
It is a simple app and can be used only for design applications. You can use the tool as an app and as a web-based platform. For the app, you can install the software in Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris. The new version 6.3 is released on 15th April 2020. In the tool, you can draw plans for your house, placements for furniture, and view the drawings in 3D. Being a simple application, it won’t any high-end specification, it can run on any PCs with basic specifications.
You can install and use the Sweet Home 3D for free.
Shapr3D
If you use your iPad for your designing work, Shapr3D is the best app for you.
Shapr3D is one of the fewest of design application that is available for smartphones. But the app is only available for Apple iPad alone. With the app, you can work with the accuracy level of 10 decimal points. The app uses the same Siemens Parasolid engine which available on the SOLIDWORKS. The tool tailored for mechanical purposes but also can be used for product designing purposes. You can import and edit STL, STEP, IGES, OBJ, 2D DWG, and many more files.
You can use the app for free up to 2 designs. For more, the subscription starts at $20 per month.
Blender
Blender is one of the best alternatives for SketchUp.
It can be used for 3D drawings, animation, simulation, motion tracking, and video editing purposes. Blender is a feature-rich application and has more advanced features and tools to use. The layout of the application and the shortcuts keys can be customized to user preferences. It is one of the oldest software, released in 1998. You can download the application on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. Though it has advanced features, it can be installed on any PCs with basic specifications.
The tool is available for free.
LibreCAD
If your work is with 2D drawing, LibreCAD is the best tool.
LibreCAD is a popular 2D-CAD application. It has many features and tools to work with. The tool is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. In the tool, you can change the languages to your preferences, it has more than 30 languages. Since the tool’s GUI is based on Qt5, there are not many differences in the interface. On all Windows, Mac, and Linux will have almost the same UI with the same navigation controls, which makes the tool easier to use on different platforms.
Like Blender, LibreCAD is available for free.
Adobe Dimension
Adobe is one of the popular names in the designing and editing fields.
It is an industry-standard tool and used by many professionals and engineers. Adobe Dimension is not recommended for beginners and new designers. It has a lot of features and tools to work with. The best thing about Adobe Dimension is that you can add extensions and add-ons to make your work easier and less time-consuming. With the tool, you can work with both 2D and 3D drawings. It is one of the best alternatives for SketchUp.
The subscription starts at $20.99 per month.
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is the best designing tool for mechanical engineers.
Developed by Dassault Systems, it is one of the best SketchUp alternatives. The tool is for both beginners and professionals. SOLIDWORKS is one of the fewest design tools with simple UI but with advanced features. Apart from designing, you can also use the tool for analyzing purposes too. With SOLIDWORKS on your PC, you can do any of the designing work without any trouble. Though it is an advanced tool, you can install the application on any PC with low-end specifications.
It is one of the expensive tools to use. The subscription starts at $395.
Modo
Modo is a powerful 3D modeling and rendering tool.
Developed by The Foundry Visionmongers, it is one of the newest designing tools. It was released in June 2018. You can install the app on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. All the tools available in the applications are set to industry standards, which makes the Modo the ideal tool for professionals. The tool is used for purposes like Product designing, Gaming environments, and V-Ray projects. Modo suits both business and personal purposes.
The subscription starts at $62 per month.
LDraw
LDraw is a tool to create LEGO models and scenes.
This is a tool to build and document models, create buildings, and render them in 3D. You can also make animations in the LDraw application. On the website, you can find a lot of tutorials to enhance your designing skills and proficiency. If you are into LEGO models and LEGO related products, LDraw is the must-have designing tool for you. You can download the application on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
The tool is available for free.
Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D is one of the best SketchUp alternatives.
The tool was developed by Maxon. Like Blender, it is also the oldest designing tool. For almost 30 years, Cinema 4D is used in the 3D computer graphics industry. As the name suggests, Cinema 4D is more suited for movies and movies related purposes. You can create and build scenarios, imagery assets, motion graphics, animated videos, and similar projects. It is a powerful tool and needs a PC equipped with high-end specifications.
The subscription starts at €61.49 per month.
Techowns Tip:Best Home & Interior Design Apps for iPad
These are the best SketchUp Alternative tools that you can use for your designing and modeling purposes. Choose the tool that perfectly suits your requirements. Mention your favorite designing tool in the comments section below.
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