WHAT'S NEW in SketchUp 2024? (BIG RELEASE)

Step-by-Step Tutorial: What's New in SketchUp 2024

1. Improved Graphics Engine

   • SketchUp 2024 comes with a rewritten graphics engine that significantly enhances the performance of models.
   • To test this, download a model with complex edges and navigate around it with profiles turned on to experience the speed improvement.
   • Toggle on the Shadows feature to see the performance difference.
   • You can adjust the graphics settings by going to Window > Preferences and selecting the desired options under Graphics Engine.

2. Ambient Occlusion

   • A new style called Ambient Occlusion has been added to SketchUp.
   • Access this style by going to View > Face Style and checking the box for Ambient Occlusion.
   • Adjust the settings for Ambient Occlusion intensity and distance in the Style settings to add visual emphasis to edges and shadows in your models.

3. Trimble Connect

   • Share your SketchUp models using Trimble Connect by saving the model to Trimble Connect and creating a shareable link.
   • Users can view the shared model without the need for embedding, making it a convenient way to share models.

4. Improved Add Location Feature

   • The Add Location feature has been enhanced to provide a preview of the 3D model in your actual space.
   • Set the location axes, pick the size of the import, and choose between importing 2D plane, 3D mesh, or satellite imagery.
   • Adjust the resolution and import site context to bring in additional map tiles for context.

5. Layout Enhancements

   • Enable the experimental graphics engine in Layout for improved performance by going to Edit > Preferences.
   • Utilize Draft Mode to reduce navigation lag while working on drawings.
   • Toggle Draft Mode on and off by tapping the 'K' key on your keyboard for faster navigation.

6. Inferencing Functions in Layout

   • Use new inferencing functions for the line tool in Layout similar to SketchUp.
   • Lock lines to red or green axes by tapping the left or up arrow keys.
   • Use the down arrow key to lock lines parallel and the 'N' key for perpendicular alignment.

7. Scan Essentials

   • Scan Essentials tool allows you to create a terrain mesh from a 3D Point Cloud scan data.

8. Extension Updates

   • Update extensions in SketchUp easily using the Extension Manager.
   • Check for available updates, unload or disable extensions, and update them to work seamlessly with SketchUp 2024.

9. Move Tool Grips

   • Toggle off move tool rotation grips in Window > Preferences under Drawing settings or set a keyboard shortcut for them.

10. Other Additions

• Explore additional features like operation undo, ladder inference, bug fixes, and performance improvements in SketchUp 2024.

By following these steps, you can leverage the new features and enhancements in SketchUp 2024 to improve your modeling experience.