SketchUp 2019: License FAQ’s

SketchUp 2019 landed yesterday! In case you missed the list of features, you can whizz over to here and check them out.

There is also a brand new way to access SketchUp; a subscription option is now available – as well as the classic perpetual license. So what does this mean for you?

I have a SketchUp Pro 2018 license, what now?

If your license has an active maintenance and support contract, your UK reseller will be sending out your 2019 licence information – the serial number and authorisation code you will need to access SketchUp Pro 2019. If you are yet to receive this, please contact us at sales@elmtec.co.uk

How do I activate my SketchUp Pro 2019 Classic licence?

Once you’ve downloaded and installed version 2019, you will see the following screen – make sure you hit the ‘Classic License’ option:

You will then be prompted to enter your 2019 license details as follows:

Enter your details (provided by your UK reseller) and ‘Add License’ to authorise SketchUp Pro 2019.

Once you are in SketchUp Pro 2019 – you can go to Help → Manage License to see your status:

The ‘Classic’ tab will show as active. The Subscription tab will show as in trial mode, since you have a Classic Perpetual licence and not a subscription license.

What happens to my previous license when I upgrade to 2019?

If you had a 2018 single user license, your current 2018 version will continue to run as an existing installation and you can run 2019 alongside 2018 if you wish to.  You can’t install 2018 on a new machine.

If you had a 2018  network license, authorising your new 2019 licence on a single machine starts a 60 day countdown, after which your previous license will be disabled on all machines.

We recommend keeping your existing version of SketchUp installed until you know that 2019 is running smoothly on your machine.

I had an older version of SketchUp Pro but my maintenance contract has expired. What are my options?

If your maintenance contract expired within the past 3 years, you can still upgrade that license to version 2019, as a perpetual license. Contact the reseller you ordered through originally for a quote. If you are unsure who your reseller was, let us know and we can assist.

Instead of upgrading this license, you may instead purchase a new SketchUp Pro Subscription if you wish to. Again, your reseller can assist.

My SketchUp Pro maintenance contract expired over 3 years ago – what now?

That  license can no longer be upgraded. You can either purchase a new SketchUp Pro 2019 perpetual license with a maintenance and support contract, or you can of course choose to subscribe to SketchUp Pro. The choice is yours!

What are the differences between a SketchUp Pro 2019 Classic (perpetual license) and a SketchUp Pro Subscription?

The SketchUp Pro perpetual license does not expire – it is only the maintenance and support contract against it that is renewed. The maintenance contract gives you access to new versions as they are released and technical support. If you choose not to renew the M+S contract once it expires; SketchUp will continue to run.

The Subscription is annual access to SketchUp Pro. If you choose not to renew your subscription, you will not have access to SketchUp Pro.

In terms of features, this is what each option offers:

What is SketchUp Free?

SketchUp free is ideal for hobbyist. It is not permitted for commercial use. If you’re not using Pro you’re missing out on a wide range of features designed for producing professional-grade work.

I’m still not sure what SketchUp I should buy/subscribe to! Can I talk to a real human for some more advice?

Sure can! Give us a call on 01844 263750 and we will be happy to talk you through all of your options.

Happy SketchUpping!

What’s new for SketchUp in 2019?

SketchUp Pro 2019 is here, it’s faster and more powerful than ever, with big fixes, system improvements, and some shiny new features. Here are a few of the highlights:

SketchUp 2019 is here

SketchUp Pro 2019 for Desktop

You’ll notice a nifty upgrade to your welcome window where you can easily locate recent projects and find lots of helpful learning content.

Recent project finder

Brand new for 2019, SketchUp Pro & LayOut: Layers now have dashes. A much-anticipated feature, dashed lines allow you to simplify your drawings with effective drawing communication. Learn how to use dashed lines and make your drawings communicate more effectively.

Dashed lines

The Tape Measure tool got a face-lift this year. Now you can see measurement info right where you’re modelling. Model more accurately — and more efficiently — right where you’re working.

Tape Measure tool

LayOut

In both SketchUp and LayOut, improvements have been made to the .dwg import and export feature. Including but not limited to support for AutoCAD 2018 file format, increased precision and stability. There is now the added ability to import and export with materials for better BIM interoperability and workflows using the .dwg format.

The handshake between SketchUp and LayOut has also improved by creating an “Export for SketchUp” feature for the .dwg exporter that sends all LayOut entities along with any SketchUp viewport data to the model space. Now any filled shape created in LayOut will be passed over to SketchUp as face ready to be Push/Pull’d. So now, SketchUp & LayOut work even better together.

LayOut will also now let you know which files are already open so you’re not creating multiple versions.
Also new this year, an easy way to learn the basics of LayOut.  It’s time to go 2D: What are you waiting for?

SketchUp Campus

Better than textbooks: the official learning hub is here. SketchUp-built courses, all created by the SketchUp in-house team, make learning SketchUp convenient and simple. Plus, more content is always being uploaded

SketchUp Campus: One stop learning shop

No matter your skill level, SketchUp Campus guides you through official SketchUp training with different tracks and sequential courses to get you up to speed. The classes consist of short videos and quizzes that make learning topics such as Rendering, LayOut, and SketchUp Fundamentals, fun, quick, and easy.
Learn more about SketchUp Campus, or dive right in!

3D Warehouse

With millions of models and 17 languages, it’s not always easy to find exactly what you’re looking for on 3D Warehouse. Say ‘hello’ to categories! This update boasts better browsing, search refinement, subcategories, and filtering by real products. This year, 3D Warehouse enables you to spend less time searching and more time creating.

Head to the warehouse to give it a try!

That’s a whole lot of new things for you to explore. Ready for the new SketchUp? Contact us or visit our website.

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Get Speedy with SketchUp: Our Top 5 Tips

We’re all familiar with the old adage, ‘seconds turn into minutes and minutes turn into hours.’ So no matter if you’ve been using SketchUp for years or are a newcomer, we’ve compiled five of our favourite tips that will get you designing smarter – and faster.

 

  • Use the Shortcuts

Yep, we’re going with the most obvious one first. SketchUp comes with a predefined set of shortcuts, but you can customise these to best suit you. Using shortcuts will help you work faster, make your user interface cleaner, and allow for more screen space for you to model. When shortcuts are used efficiently, they’ll enable you to skip menus and toolbars and boost productivity. Some SketchUp users tell us they barely even use the standard menu for their work and keeping only those related to plug-ins that can’t be conveniently switched to a shortcut. Need more information on customizing the keyboard? Have a look here.

  • Guidelines are your friends

Actually, maybe they’re better than your friends. Unless your friends happen to be multi-directional and infinitely flexible, too. They really are an amazing tool for speeding up your workflow unless you have super-human abilities to mentally visualize the model you’re working one (if you do, tell us how!). Add parallel guidelines and check distances using the Tape Measure tool. Check angles and set slopes using the Protractor tool. Added bonus: Too many guidelines? Just clear ’em all out with one shortcut and start all over again.

  • Group first, Layer later

Remembering ‘group first, layer later’ is an excellent rule of thumb when using SketchUp. By grouping first you can separate your geometry while also ensuring that the base geometry of the grouped object stays on Layer0. Having two levels of information separation allows it to be enhanced by using the scene system for more than just saving viewpoints.

  • Photo Matching

Success in using SketchUp’s photo matching relies on two things. First, you must ensure you’re using unedited original photography. Second, you need to ensure your model matches the scale of the subjects in the photo. A further tip is to get the camera’s focal length to match to the photo you’ve selected. To do this, place your yellow origin mark at the spot on the photo where you will place your model. From there, align the green and red axes to the features of the subjects in the photo to ensure everything is following the same direction.

  • Get in the habit of Good Housekeeping

Because SketchUp models save all the information inside the file, you’ll need to keep this in mind – the information stays inside even if you delete it from the workspace. This can clearly slow down your file performance. Therefore, a good tip is to do some regular housekeeping in order to keep your workflow speedy and snappy. To clean the excess element, go to ‘Purge Unused’ command in the components, material and layers.

 

So there we have it. Five of our favourite tips for speeding up your SketchUp workflow.
Let us know in the comments if you have a great tip to share!

 

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New! SketchUp License Manager

SketchUp have just launched a greatly improved SketchUp License Manager (a.k.a License Wizard) – and it’s now live for all to use.

A far away place where you can get close to your SketchUp Pro license information and even predict the future with them! (well, view your renewal dates).

Check it out, here

Upgrade to SketchUp Pro v2017 now, for less

 

As of January 25th, 2017, the upgrade policy for SketchUp Pro will change slightly. If you are using SketchUp Pro 2015 or earlier, or your previous Maintenance and Support contract expired over a year ago, it may be worth looking into upgrading to SketchUp Pro 2017 NOW!

What will change?
The price for the Reinstatement Fee, charged when your Maintenance contract has lapsed, or when enrolling into a new contract when upgrading from a previous version, is increasing.

From January 25th, the following prices will apply:

Current RRP Jan 25th RRP
Reinstatement / Enrolment Fee – Single User £47.00 £51.00
Reinstatement / Enrolment Fee – Single User (over 1 year out of Maintenance and Support) £47.00 £102.00
Reinstatement / Enrolment Fee – Network £47.00 £85.00
Reinstatement / Enrolment Fee – Network (over 1 year out of Maintenance and Support) £47.00 £169.00

(prices exclude VAT)

 

Why upgrade to SketchUp Pro 2017?

If you currently have a single user licence, you will save £63.00 per licence if you upgrade before 25th January. Network licence owners will save £134.00 per seat by upgrading now.

Not only that:

  • As from January 1, 2017 it is now no longer be possible to download 3D models from the SketchUp 3D Warehouse for SketchUp Pro v2013 and earlier
  • There are several new and improved features, check out our blog post here to see what’s new in SketchUp Pro 2017
  • Compatibility with the latest hardware and operating systems when moving to the latest version
  • Above all, a stable and fast version of SketchUp Pro that will improve your workflow!

 

The Maintenance and Support Contract

By upgrading now and enrolling into a new Maintenance contract, you will receive a number of benefits whilst the contract is in place.

  • All security updates and upgrades are covered; your reseller will provide you with updated licence details for each new release
  • SketchUp offers Maintenance and Support for terms of up to three years . You may also purchase in monthly increments to ‘shift’ your annual billing cycle, for a more predictable expenditure each year, making it easy to budget. One renewal date each year for predictable expenditure, keeping you up to date and on the latest version of SketchUp.
  • Eligible for technical support when required.

 

How to Upgrade

Elmtec are the UK distribution partner for SketchUp. Please contact us about your upgrade options and we will happily assist.

 

SketchUp + SU Podium

These images show how invaluable SketchUp can prove to be at the early stages of design, through to manufacture and fit out. The model was produced in SketchUp, and then rendered in SU Podium.

Credit to James Ogston from, SEE-IT-3D, who created these images for Simply Ace, a display and signage company.

(click images to view full size)

About Elmtec

Elmtec have been the UK distribution partner for SketchUp since 2010, and service a network of UK and Irish resellers. We have over 22 years’ experience within the digital design community.

Contact Us

T: 01844 263 750
E: sales@elmtec.co.uk
W: www.elmtec.co.uk/sketchup