If you are reading this guide and still using SketchUp 2021, you need to be aware of a significant policy change:
In the bottom-right corner, you can choose between different map providers (e.g., DigitalGlobe, Bing) for the best-looking imagery. 5. Import the Imagery and Terrain
: Importing a location sets the model's latitude and longitude, aligning the solid green axis to North and the solid red axis to East. Core Features and Workflow How To Use SketchUp Geolocation | Complete SketchUp Guide
Basing your project on real geographic coordinates offers three distinct advantages: geolocation sketchup 2021
In SketchUp 2021, accessing high-resolution aerial imagery requires an active SketchUp Pro or Studio subscription. If your maps look blurry, check your subscription status or try zooming closer into the bounding box before clicking "Import." Resolving "Shifting" Models
In the search bar at the top of the map window, type in the specific street address, city, or GPS coordinates of your site. Click . 3. Select the Region
What geolocation does
Depending on the area, some locations may show surrounding 3D buildings, which is invaluable for urban design projects. Managing Geolocation Data
Another critical aspect of SketchUp 2021’s geolocation capabilities is its support for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). As the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry adopts mobile technology on job sites, the ability to visualize a model in situ is a game-changer. SketchUp’s integration with mobile viewer apps allows users to stand on a physical site and hold up a tablet to see the geolocated 3D model overlaid onto the real world. SketchUp 2021’s improved metadata handling ensures that the model sits "flat" on the ground plane correctly, preventing the disjointed experiences that occurred with older, misaligned coordinate systems. This functionality enhances client presentations and aids contractors in visualizing complex intersections between new construction and existing conditions.
Open your model. Go to File > Geolocation > Add Location . If you are reading this guide and still
Inputting exact coordinates allows SketchUp to simulate true solar positions. This is critical for passive solar design, shading analysis, and energy modeling.
If you are stuck with SketchUp 2021 and must import real terrain, consider these workarounds: