Trimble SketchUp Unveils Visualization Capabilities

Trimble announces new visualization and interoperability capabilities in its latest software release for SketchUp. The 3D modeling software now provides designers with photorealistic materials and environment lighting options, along with easier transitions between SketchUp and other industry tools, the company suggests. With enhanced visualization features and improved interoperability, the release helps designers create, manage and share complex projects more effectively, according to Trimble.

“SketchUp's 2025 release introduces a new generation of visualization,” says Sandra Winstead, senior director of product management, architecture and design at Trimble. “These accessible yet powerful tools help designers visualize and understand their projects using more realistic materials, enabling them to make better informed material decisions and produce outstanding visuals—all without leaving SketchUp. In addition, designers can now more easily move in and out of SketchUp thanks to advanced interoperability updates with Revit and IFC files for streamlined design workflows, improved collaboration and greater accuracy in project execution.”

The new visualization features enable designers to apply photorealistic materials, turn on environment lighting and see how they interact in real time without hitting a 'render' button or waiting to see changes. The latest visualization features include:

• Environments: 360-degree HDRI or EXR image files act as a light source, reflecting off photoreal materials.
• Photoreal Materials: Materials more accurately convey texture and represent how real-world materials absorb and reflect light,.
• Ambient Occlusion: Adds visual emphasis to corners and edges, increasing perceived depth and realism with or without having materials applied.

The new release also has more advanced interoperability with Revit and IFC files, including more predictable IFC roundtrips, greater control over which Revit elements and 3D views are imported, and improved support for photorealistic materials when exporting USD and glTF file formats. From initial design to final construction, more interoperability ensures a roundtrip data exchange between different software platforms and between different collaborators across various stages of project development.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.