With the 2026 release of SketchUp we are now getting hands-on ability to use more of the features that were teased at the 2024 SketchUp Basecamp Keynotes. While the 2025 version of SketchUp introduced PBR materials, the 2026 version now implements all of the cool collaboration features – like live viewing and commenting (illustrated in the image above).
These collaboration features will be very useful for the sweet spot of architectural design where SketchUp shines: Conceptual modeling. With the new features, all members of a project can now engage in a live modeling exercise – complete with a shared visual experience and extensive commenting abilities. This should make it much easier to dial in the perfect design solution.
The other major feature – in my view – is a MUCH BETTER LayOut interface. Both SketchUp and Layout (at least on Windows) now have the same user interface with similar visual elements and functionality. That makes not only working with the software easier, it also helps us teachers that need to explain all that functionality to new users. Consistency goes a long way here.
Beyond these main feature changes, there are many other, smaller ones. Here’s a list of those:
- Ambient occlusion now has a distance multiplier. This is very important if you are modeling small parts (e.g. for 3D printing) or very large models (e.g. for urban planning). The default setting was not sufficient for those.
- Live components can now have scale handles, which makes them much more intuitive to work with. They also have a reworked materials logic.
- There are various tweaks to existing tools like scale, move, and rotate. Scenes are now also added to the undo stack, which means that any changes on those now can easily be reverted. And a minor but very useful tweak lets you turn tray panels on and off by simply right-clicking on any of their headers.
- There are a variety of import/export improvements. Most notable may be the Import Linework Flattened feature for DWG that provides clean, flat linework to use.
- After having had a Ground Mesh functionality in previous versions that auto-generates topography from point clouds, I was missing a similar feature for arbitrarily-oriented geometry (e.g. facades). That has now been included in the latest version through a Surface Mesh tool, complete with a texture-projection feature. Note, however, that Scan Essentials is not included in every SketchUp package.
- Together with the new user interface, LayOut now also has four new, super-useful tools: trim, extend, fillet, chamfer. Those tools are an absolute must for linework and they were missed greatly – until now.
- LayOut now has a reworked Scrapbook for architecture (the collection of sample icons). Having common architectural elements like beds, desks, and bathtubs will make space layout much easier. I really hope this will get expanded in the future and other items like office furniture will also be included.
Beyond all of this, both SketchUp and LayOut have received many bug fixes, stability improvements, and minor enhancements. Check out the release notes (linked below) for more details.
My Verdict
Overall, I think this is a solid release. The collaboration feature will be something to try out and see how it fits with people’s workflows. What I really like is that the LayOut UI has been improved and both programs have been visually harmonized. Could this be a step to finally being able to offer dark mode at some point? I really hope so.
The LayOut and the Live Component improvements show that Trimble is investing in those technologies and I am curious to see what is next in store for those.
Have you tried out the new version. Let me know in the comments what you think.