Following the announcement last month that Google had bought @Last Software, the search engine has released Google SketchUp, a free 3D modelling software application for the PC.

Google says its new offering will bring its long-time vision of making 3D accessible to everyone a reality.

Google has said that it will still offer SketchUp Pro 5 for design professionals like architects, designers, builders, art directors and game developers and both Google SketchUp and SketchUp Pro 5, which costs £495, will enable you to place models in Google Earth; Pro users understandably will get some additional features.

Brad Schell, Product Management Director for Google SketchUp said in a post on the Google Blog; "The new Google SketchUp is for the do-it-yourselfer, the hobbyist — really anyone who wants to build 3D models for use in Google Earth".

Users will be able to share their work via 3D Warehouse. Accessible through both versions of SketchUp, 3D Warehouse enables you to upload, search, browse, view, and download SketchUp models.

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