Most fequently questions about sketchup

SketchUp 2027 looks completely different from what I'm used to for MacOS.

That is entirely correct: with SketchUp 2027, Trimble fundamentally rebuilt the Mac version and introduced a Unified Interface, making the Mac version look and function almost identically to the Windows version.Under the hood, the interface transitioned from Apple's native Cocoa framework to Qt. As a result, familiar Mac characteristics were replaced in favor of an aligned workflow across both operating systems.The biggest changes on macOS

• Dockable Trays:

• The floating inspector panels (Entity Info, Materials, Tags, Outliner) have been replaced by the dockable panels/trays that Windows users have used for years. You can now collapse them, group them into tabs, and dock them to the side of the modeling window.

• Dockable Toolbars:

• Instead of the traditional macOS top toolbar, you can now arrange, dock, and position toolbars flexibly around the drawing area as you see fit.

• Document Tabs (MDI - Multiple Document Interface): Different open models now appear in tabs inside a single main window instead of multiple floating Mac windows stacked over each other.

• New Materials & Color Picker:

• The traditional macOS color wheel (the native Apple Colors palette) is gone. SketchUp now uses the built-in Materials library and selector that previously ran on Windows.

• Menu & Window Closing Behavior:

• You now manage trays directly under the Window menu. When you close the last open model, SketchUp stays open on the Welcome Screen (like on PC) instead of closing the window while keeping the menu bar active.

Do all extensions still work, then?

It's true that some extensions might not be compatible with this version right now. Whether they will be made compatible depends entirely on the developer of the plugin. The most well-known and popular plugins are usually updated for compatibility quickly.

Can I try SketchUp 2027 if I've already tried SketchUp 2026?

A trial version is only possible for the newest version of SketchUp. If you want to try, for example, an older SketchUp version, this is not possible. However, it is reset, meaning you can try a trial again with every new version, even if you have tried a previous version.

Where can I view the full release notes?

You can view the full release notes here

I have a Subscription. How do I access SketchUp Pro 2027?

You have direct access to the latest version via your Account Management Portal, via in-product upgrade notification or via a direct download link. Download SketchUp 2027, install it on your machine, activate it with your Trimble ID (TID) and you're ready to get started with SketchUp 2027.

Do I have acces to SketchUp Pro 2027 with my classic license?

No. You can switch to a Subscription to use the latest version of SketchUp.

How do I access SketchUp 2027 with my Educational Classic License?

You will receive the new code from your reseller to upgrade to the latest version of SketchUp. In the meantime, you can get started with the 7-day demo version.

Please note that activating your SketchUp Pro 2027 Classic License will affect your SketchUp Pro 2027 Classic License. A network license of SketchUp Pro 2026 will be set to 'Pending' after activation of the 2027 license and will no longer start 60 days after activation.

Will my Extensions work with SketchUp 2027?

Most of them will, but check with your Extension vendor to see if an update is necessary. 

The current status of the Extensions we support is:

Compatible:

• V-Ray for SketchUp
• Thea for SketchUp
• Artisan
• Bevel
• PlaceMaker
• Profile Builder
• Quantifier Pro
• Skatter
• SketchPlus
• Skimp
• Enscape
• ConDoc tools
• UNDET

Does SketchUp Pro 2027 have new system requirements?

You have at least a 64-bit version of Windows 11. 

For macOS you need 14 (Sonoma) or 15(Sequoia), or 26(Tahoe) or 27 (Golden gate).

Previous versions are no longer supported. Newer versions are only supported when stated. 

Also pay attention to whether your computer meets the following hardware requirements:

• 2.4+ Ghz Intel Core processor
• 8+ GB of RAM
• For the old graphics engine: 2.1+ GB video memory, OpenGL 3.1 or higher
• For the new graphics engine:
  • Windows: DirectX12, feature level 11.0
  • Mac: Metal 2

Click here for more information about system requirements

Can I use SketchUp 2026 and SketchUp 2027 simultaneously?

Yes, that's possible. SketchUp 2026 and SketchUp 2027 are separate programs and can run side by side on your computer. Even at the same time! You can have LayOut installed at the same time, but - on Windows - you cannot start it at the same time! However, for clarity of use we recommend to work in only one version of SketchUp.

NB:

If you activate both versions 2026 and 2027, you use two activations of your Subscription. If you use too many activations, you will need to reset them. Check out this article to find out how!