Author: Charlotte Lee

At its core, SOLIDWORKS is a professional 3D CAD solution designed to help engineers create parts, assemblies, drawings and production-ready documentation.

Its intuitive interface and parametric modelling tools allow designers to develop products in 3D while maintaining relationships between features and components.

That becomes particularly valuable when designs change.

Engineering projects rarely follow a perfectly straight line. Dimensions change, components are redesigned, customers request modifications and manufacturing requirements evolve.

With SOLIDWORKS, engineers can make controlled changes to their designs while maintaining the relationships within the model, helping reduce repetitive work and keep projects moving.

SOLIDWORKS describes its Design solution as a professional 3D CAD and product development platform designed to take users from design through to manufacturing.

One of the biggest benefits of 3D CAD is the ability to identify and address issues before they become expensive problems.

Instead of waiting until a physical prototype has been manufactured to discover that components don’t fit, clearances aren’t sufficient or a design needs to be modified, engineers can investigate and refine their designs digitally.

SOLIDWORKS also offers simulation and analysis solutions that can help engineers understand how designs may perform before committing to physical prototypes or production.

For businesses, this can mean fewer unnecessary iterations, faster development and greater confidence when moving towards manufacture.

One of the standout additions in Veras 4.7 is the ability to edit existing videos using the new Gemini Omni AI model.

Rather than creating a video from scratch, you can upload an existing animation or select one you’ve already created in Veras and simply describe the changes you’d like to make. The AI intelligently updates your footage while preserving the original camera movement and animation.

This opens up exciting possibilities, including:

• Changing building materials and finishes
• Updating landscaping and vegetation
• Switching between seasons
• Adjusting lighting and time of day
• Applying completely new visual styles

You can also include up to four reference images to help guide the AI towards your desired materials, design style or overall aesthetic.

Alongside video editing, Gemini Omni also supports:

• Text-to-video generation
• Image-to-video creation
• 10-second AI video clips rendered in 720p (Preview)

Reviewing multiple animations is now significantly smoother.

Veras 4.7 allows you to select multiple video renders and play them as one continuous looping sequence, making it ideal for reviewing design concepts, walkthroughs or presentation storyboards.

Additional playback improvements include:

• Continuous playback across selected videos
• Thumbnail scrub bars for easier navigation
• Smoother timeline performance
• Improved playback when handling larger collections of video renders

SketchUp has long been recognised for its intuitive approach to 3D design. However, today’s SketchUp ecosystem offers far more than modelling alone. Advanced workflows connect design, visualisation, documentation, collaboration, reality capture, and project management into a seamless digital process.

By integrating powerful tools and connected workflows, professionals can reduce repetitive tasks, improve project accuracy, and make faster, more informed decisions.

Whether you’re designing a residential extension, a commercial development, a landscape project, or a large-scale construction scheme, advanced workflows help teams work smarter and deliver better outcomes.

Modern projects require teams to work across multiple disciplines and locations. SketchUp’s advanced workflow capabilities allow designers to move beyond isolated files and disconnected processes.

By leveraging cloud-based collaboration tools, model sharing, and connected project environments, teams can ensure stakeholders are always working from the latest information.

This improved transparency helps reduce communication gaps, accelerate decision-making, and improve project coordination from concept through to completion.

SketchUp has become one of the world’s most widely used 3D modelling tools because it combines powerful functionality with an intuitive interface.

Professionals use SketchUp to:

• Create architectural concepts
• Design interiors
• Produce landscape plans
• Generate client presentations
• Develop construction documentation
• Collaborate across project teams

Unlike many CAD platforms, SketchUp allows users to begin creating models quickly while still supporting professional workflows.

For most businesses, SketchUp Pro delivers the strongest return on investment.

It provides all of the tools needed to:

• Create professional models
• Generate construction documents
• Present concepts to clients
• Collaborate with teams
• Expand workflows using extensions

Unless your projects involve advanced point-cloud workflows or specialist analysis tools, Pro is often the most cost-effective choice.

Hidden Costs to Consider

When budgeting for SketchUp, many organisations focus solely on subscription pricing.

However, there are additional factors worth considering.

Training

Proper onboarding helps teams become productive faster and maximise software adoption.

Extensions and Plugins

Many businesses enhance SketchUp with tools such as:

• V-Ray
• Enscape
• Profile Builder
• Quantifier Pro

Support

Working with an authorised reseller provides access to implementation advice, training and technical support.

SketchUp Pro Scan introduces powerful scan-to-design capabilities that enable users to capture existing conditions and transform them into workable 3D geometry directly within the SketchUp ecosystem. By leveraging advanced scanning technologies and intelligent processing, professionals can quickly create accurate digital representations of real-world spaces, providing a reliable foundation for renovation, refurbishment, extension, and remodelling projects. SketchUp’s Scan-to-Design technology is designed to streamline the journey from site capture to concept creation, helping designers spend less time measuring and more time designing.

One of the biggest benefits of SketchUp Pro Scan is the ability to move rapidly from site capture to concept development. Instead of rebuilding spaces from scratch, designers can begin working from an accurate representation of existing conditions almost immediately.

This accelerated workflow allows teams to:

• Reduce time spent on site surveys
• Minimise costly measurement errors
• Improve design accuracy
• Speed up client approvals
• Deliver projects more efficiently
• Enhance collaboration across project stakeholders

As digital transformation continues to reshape the architecture, engineering, construction, and design sectors, tools that combine reality capture with intuitive 3D modelling are becoming essential for modern practice.

Using patented six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) navigation, 3Dconnexion devices allow users to pan, zoom, rotate, and tilt models smoothly and intuitively — all with one hand. This transforms how professionals interact with complex 3D data.

Key benefits of 3Dconnexion mice

• Faster, more intuitive 3D model navigation

• Reduced repetitive mouse movements and hand strain

• Improved workflow efficiency using two-handed control

• Native support for leading CAD and 3D applications

• Professional-grade build quality for daily use

For teams working on complex assemblies or large datasets, the productivity gains are immediate and measurable.

Designed specifically for CAD workflows, the 3Dconnexion CadMouse range offers:

• A dedicated middle mouse button for CAD commands

• High-precision sensors for accurate selection

• Ergonomic design to reduce fatigue during long sessions

• Customisable buttons for productivity shortcuts

Wireless models provide flexible connectivity while maintaining professional-grade responsiveness.

With more than four decades of experience spanning architecture, design and construction, Cregan Architecture has built its reputation on one simple principle: every client and every project is unique.

Founded by senior architectural technologist, architectural designer and Chartered Interior Designer Dave Cregan, the practice specialises in creating bespoke architectural solutions across residential, commercial and specialist sectors. Whether designing a contemporary extension, a traditional family home or a complex commercial development, the goal remains the same—understand the client, interpret their vision and deliver a design that exceeds expectations.

To achieve this, Cregan Architecture has embraced a modern visualisation workflow powered by Chaos Enscape, helping clients see, understand and engage with their projects long before construction begins.

Cregan Architecture has developed a streamlined workflow that combines creativity, technical expertise and real-time visualisation.

Projects begin with detailed discussions and concept sketches, allowing ideas to be explored collaboratively. Once a design direction is agreed, AutoCAD is used to create accurate technical drawings before the project is developed into a full 3D model within SketchUp.

This is where Chaos Enscape becomes a critical part of the process.

By integrating directly with SketchUp, Enscape enables Cregan Architecture to instantly transform design models into high-quality, photorealistic visualisations. Clients can experience spaces in three dimensions, understand the relationship between rooms, evaluate design features and gain a realistic sense of scale, materials and lighting.

Rather than relying solely on imagination, clients can see exactly how their future project will look and feel.

SketchUp Pro is the industry’s most widely used 3D modelling solution for design professionals.

It includes:

• Desktop SketchUp for Windows and Mac
• SketchUp for Web
• SketchUp for iPad
• LayOut for technical documentation
• 3D Warehouse access
• Extension Warehouse access
• Trimble Connect cloud collaboration

For most architects, interior designers and landscape professionals, SketchUp Pro delivers everything required for design, presentation and documentation.

1. Design and Modelling

Both subscriptions include the same SketchUp modelling environment.

Users can:

• Create 3D models
• Produce construction drawings
• Use extensions and plugins
• Create visual presentations
• Collaborate through Trimble Connect

For pure modelling tasks, there is no difference.

2. Point Cloud Workflows

This is where Studio begins to separate itself.

If your projects involve:

• Laser scanning
• Existing building surveys
• Scan-to-BIM workflows
• Digital twins

Studio provides significantly more value.

3. Building Performance Analysis

Studio includes tools that help professionals evaluate building performance during the design phase.

This is particularly valuable for:

• Architects
• Sustainability consultants
• Commercial construction teams
• Building designers

4. Cost

Pro is typically the most cost-effective solution for the majority of SketchUp users.

Studio commands a higher investment because of the specialist tools included within the subscription.

The question should not be:

“Which is cheaper?”

Instead ask:

“Will these advanced tools save enough time or win enough projects to justify the additional cost?”

Start by understanding how you work:

• If you frequently rotate, zoom, and navigate 3D models, a SpaceMouse is essential.

• If your work focuses on precision selection, sketching, and command execution, a CadMouse is ideal.

• Many professionals use both together for a powerful two-handed workflow.

This combination is widely recognised as the most efficient setup for CAD and engineering environments.

Elmtec offers both wired and wireless 3Dconnexion mice.

Wireless models are ideal for:

• Clean, modern workspaces

• Mobile or hot-desk environments

• Flexible office layouts

Wired models remain popular for:

• Permanent CAD workstations

• Zero battery management

• Always-on reliability

Both options deliver professional-grade performance — the choice depends on your setup.

At Elmtec’s Uplift London event, we showcased some of the UK’s most inspiring artists, designers and visualisation professionals. Among them was Nikole, founder of Deadnettle Studio, an independent architectural visualisation practice using Chaos software to create atmospheric imagery that bridges the gap between technical accuracy and artistic storytelling.

With more than a decade of experience producing CGI for planning, marketing and design communication, Nikole has developed a distinctive visual language that moves beyond conventional architectural rendering. Her work combines photorealistic detail with a painterly sensibility, creating images that evoke emotion, spark curiosity and invite viewers to imagine the lives unfolding within a space.

The featured image, one of the first projects created under the Deadnettle Studio name, captures the studio’s creative philosophy: using visualisation not only to communicate architecture, but to tell stories about people, place and atmosphere.

Website: deadnettlestudio.co.uk
Instagram: @deadnettlestudio
Email: nikole@deadnettlestudio.co.uk