Google Sells The 3D Modeling Tool SketchUp: Google buys companies not only to improve their products and services with little flip closed. It also sells products, as was the case of SketchUp, its popular free tool for creating 3D models.
As part of the platform SketchUp, Trimble will partner with Google to develop Google 3D Warehouse, a 3D modeling tools more popular in the online world, where users can search, share, store and collaborate on models 3D, as companies have said in a joint statement.
Trimble has announced that the surveying, mapping, and marine navigation equipment, thanks to the acquisition of SketchUp will improve the integration of its field presence with the company in general.
SketchUp is a free 3D modeling platform that helps in the design of 3D models in Google Earth (the virtual map of most of the planet’s surface).
The platform allows users to create collections of models, including 3D buildings, and share them with fellow modelers worldwide.
SketchUp, had a small beginning, when it was purchased by Google in 2006 and now has millions of active users.
“With more than 30 million activations SketchUp in just one year, we are very proud of our achievements,” said the manager of SketchUp producer, John Bacus, on his blog.
The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012, and would not be significant revenue Trimble.
Trimble Shares are quoted in $ 53.98 (40.94 euros) in morning trading on the Nasdaq (a stock index that reflects the securities) on Thursday.