1999
Brad Schell, an Architectural engineer, talks to software engineer Joe Esch about starting a new 3D modeling software he has been visualizing for a while. They put their heads together to start developing SketchUp.
At that time, CAD was very much specialist software. Whatever CAD solutions existed back then – countable on your fingers – was devilishly hard to learn, and you had to be highly skilled in drafting work already in order to even begin. There was no such thing as CAD for laymen.
So, Schell and Esch started developing CAD software that would be SIMPLE to learn, above all. Ease of use was at the top of their priorities. Accessibility took a front-row seat as SketchUp began to take its virtual shape.
2000
The first launch of SketchUp came from @Last Software in 2000. Right out of the box, SketchUp won the best new product award at the AEC Systems Fall Show. The program received wildly praising reviews from professionals and laymen alike around the world, and continued to grow.
It was astounding, how many and how diverse people started to use SketchUp. From professional architects and engineers to artists and sculptors, from engineering students to basic homebuilders, interior decorators, 3D printing enthusiasts, even game designers started depending heavily on SketchUp.
Published By
Arka Roy
www.sketchup4architect.com
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